Deciding to apply
When thinking about applying to graduate school, you need to decide whether it is an appropriate next step to achieve your career aspirations. Questions to ask:
| Why am I considering graduate school? | Will it help me achieve my career goals? | Other items to consider: |
|---|---|---|
| Unsure of next steps | Opportunities expanded | Workload of a graduate program |
| Required for my field | Program related to my area of interest | Investment of time and money |
| Required for my field | What is my purpose for pursuing grad school? |
Evaluating Programs of Interest
- Who are the faculty you will be learning from?
- What are the research interests of the professors?
- Rankings may be importance for you to consider
- What is the cost of the program compared to other schools you are considering?
- Geographic location (in-state versus out-of-state tuition)
- Funding opportunities available for students in program: Such as scholarships, fellowships, assistantships (RA, TA, PA)
- Alumni and student data
- Program websites- review a sample plan for completing degrees of interest
- Format of the program (virtual, in-person, hybrid, part time, full time)
Applications and Timelines
When should I start researching?
Start researching programs to apply to a year before your are looking to attend
How many programs should I apply to?
The average number of programs students apply to is 3-12 depending on the field and area of interest
How can I learn more about the application process?
Review program websites to learn more about components of the application process
Most programs require the following:
Transcripts
Program prerequisites
Graduate school application
Standardized test (example: GRE, MCAT, LSAT)