Choosing a Program
Continuing on to graduate study is a long-term commitment, and it is critical that you gather enough information about your field to make a wise decision about graduate and professional school. Every field is different; in fact, in some fields you can be in a negative position if you attend graduate and professional school at the wrong time during your career. Talk to faculty, professionals in the field, or the Career Center to gather information about your chosen field.
Graduate School Resource Guide:
Utilize the Graduate & Professional School Resource Guide to learn what to expect from the graudate school application process and start planning your next steps!
Graduate School Resource Guide
Researching Schools
After making the decision to go on to graduate and professionalschool, the next step will be locating and evaluating potential schools and programs. Use the following resources to do so:
Deadlines
Be aware of the application deadlines which can vary between different programs. For fall admission at most graduate and professional schools, applications are due in January or February; some are even earlier. Students need to start to take steps before the end of their junior year.
Program
Examine the curriculum keeping in mind personal goals and educational needs. It may be important to know if the program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the field or focuses specifically on one approach. Other important considerations are the class size, fieldwork opportunities, philosophy, and methods of instruction.
Additional questionsto consider include:
- What is the program reputation?
- Is the opportunity for specialization present? Is specialization required?
- Does the school offer the type of enrollment option you want?
- Does it offer sufficient courses and career options?
- Are internships or work-study programs part of the curriculum?
- If certification is required, what percentage of the class passes? What states have reciprocity?
- How long is the program (number of credits)?
- What are the prerequisite requirements?
- Will it offer knowledge within your capability and interests?
Faculty
Studentswill be working extremely close with faculty in graduate and professional school, so it is important to research them. Find out who they are including areas of specialization and research interests they are currently pursuing. Good sources of information are college and department catalogs and journal publications.
Factors to consider include:
- Make-up of faculty
- Professors with doctoral degrees
- Professors' work experience in the field
- Faculty accessibility to students
Financial Considerations
There are several kinds of financial assistance available for graduate students including fellowships, scholarships, teaching and research assistantships, and loans. Financial aid application deadlines are frequently earlier than the general application deadline. Check with the Financial Aid Office and individual departments at your institution for further financial aid resources.
Questionsto consider include:
- Do the tuition fees fit your budget?
- What type of work-study programs, loans, scholarships, research opportunities, and assistantships are available?
Facilities
Get an idea of available facilities by reviewingthe school website or visiting the campus. Find out about the libraries, laboratories and research facilities, graduate housing as well as any partnerships with other research educational and professional organizations.
Size
Consider the overall size of the program. The critical aspect of size is the ratio of faculty to students in the specific graduate program. In a large program, the applicant should be concerned with the ratio of active faculty to students and the number of students in the common first-year graduate courses. In a small program, the concern is focused upon the number of active faculty and the number and scope of the graduate courses offered.
Additional Questions to Ask Yourself
Admissions Procedures
- Do you know the procedures and timeline?
- Are any advanced exams required?
- What documents will you need?
- Is there an interview process?
The Students
- Is the school selective with regard to admissions?
- What is the make-up of the student body?
- How many enter directly from their undergraduate degree?
- Is there a student association? What are its activities?
Campus Life
- What social/cultural life will be available?
- Do most students reside on campus or off campus?
- What living accommodations are available and what are they like?
Geographic Location
- Do you prefer an urban or rural environment? A hot, cold, or mild climate?
- What is the distance from home?
FAQs
Graduate school programs are academic courses of study that offer more advanced programs of study (beyond a bachelor's degree) in certain disciplines. This can mean earning a master's degree on its own or as a step toward a PhD program. Professional school programs help prepare students for careers in specific fields.
What makes you a good candidate for the graduate program answer? ›
Academic success, awards, achievements and publications can all contribute to the success of a graduate program. To prepare this answer, research extensively about the program and align your goals and interests to the department's latest work. Mention any specific goal that you have and how you plan to pursue that.
How do you balance graduate school and work full time? ›
Grad school or work: 6 tips for balancing both
- Pick the right program. ...
- Manage your time. ...
- Find ways to apply your coursework to your career. ...
- Make time for yourself. ...
- Tap your network for support. ...
- Keep your end goal in mind.
The high number of applicants and the low number of entries makes admission rare. Most programs will seek the highest-quality applicants, making this a competitive event for the student applicants and the admitting programs.
What is the difference between graduate and professional graduate? ›
Graduate programs are for earning more advanced academic degrees, like a masters or a PhD. Professional programs are for earning a professional degree, like an MD (physician), a DDS (dentistry), JD (law), etc.
What is considered a graduate or professional student? ›
A graduate student is someone who has earned a bachelor's degree and is pursuing additional education in a specific field. Graduate Degrees. More than 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities offer programs leading to a graduate degree in a wide range of fields.
How to answer tell me about yourself grad school? ›
You could start by explaining where you're from, where you grew up, and any interesting personal circumstances. Then talk about your undergraduate university, what you majored and minored in, and why you made those choices. Finally, close by talking about your extracurricular achievements – both in school and outside.
What makes you stand out in grad school application? ›
“Creating a standout application for graduate school requires a thoughtful approach that showcases not only your academic achievements but also your passion, potential, and unique contributions to the school and your program of interest,” says Emily McGuire, director of admissions and enrollment at the University of ...
How to answer why grad school? ›
Explain why you are passionate about a particular specialty and include examples of how you have pursued your academic interests in the past. Interviewers will likely be looking for a candidate who has a proven record of pursuing their interests.
How do people go to grad school and work full-time? ›
Consider Online Learning
Online courses allow you to pick study times that fit around your job, and the courses are often asynchronous, allowing even more flexibility. No need to commute or rush to class; just log in from home or wherever you're comfortable.
Graduate school is certainly a feasible option for those with full-time jobs, but it does require a strong commitment. Start by making a list of your goals, and then explore master's degree programs that might be a good fit for you.
Do most people work during grad school? ›
An advanced degree could be exactly what you need to take your career to new heights. However, most people who want to go to grad school also work full-time. Adding classes, homework, and exams on top of a busy job can seem overwhelming if you don't learn strategies to balance it all.
What GPA makes you competitive for grad school? ›
In general, graduate schools look for a minimum 3.0 GPA, but programs admit applicants with lower GPAs, too. Grades aren't the only way grad schools measure applicants. You also submit letters of recommendation and college essays, among other materials that can help you stand out.
What is the most challenging graduate degree? ›
What are the hardest degree subjects?
- Aerospace Engineering. Aerospace Engineers study the design, manufacturing and testing of aircrafts. ...
- Architecture. Architecture is one of those degrees that we wish was easy. ...
- Pharmacy. ...
- Psychology. ...
- Statistics. ...
- Nursing. ...
- Physics. ...
- Astrophysics.
Broadly, your program's level of difficulty can vary depending on your field of study, type of degree, and school. Whether or not your program feels hard to you can depend on your learning style and preferences, and how well those align with your program of choice.
What does some graduate school mean on a job application? ›
The term grad school means a higher education institution which awards postgraduate degrees – most commonly master's and doctorate (PhD) programmes. You will almost always need to have completed an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree, sometimes known as a 'first' degree, before applying for admission to grad school.
What is the meaning of professional graduation? ›
What's a professional degree? A professional degree helps students prepare for careers in specific fields, such as law, pharmacy, medicine, and education. The length of the programs vary and can span anywhere from one to five years, depending on the institution you attend.
What defines a professional school? ›
a postgraduate school or college which trains students for a particular profession. Collins English Dictionary.
What does some graduate level mean? ›
""Some Graduate Level Courses" simply means that you have completed some graduate level courses towards a graduate degree without actually completing the degree. That option specifically exists for people such as you who are in the middle of their studies.
