Planning Your Education

Graduate School Considerations and Preparation

If you have decided that graduate school is appropriate for you, there are many things to consider when deciding on a program. You will want to consider things like the reputation of the program and the school, cost, admission requirements, assistantship or fellowship opportunities, and geographic location.

The best way to prepare for admission is to check out the program website and make careful note of the application requirements and the deadlines. Some deadlines are up to a year in advance so you will want to start early, especially if the program requires you to submit scores from an entrance exam. Most graduate school applications include:

You may want to visit the schools you are considering in order to talk with people in the department. A visit can help you evaluate the professors and they, in turn, are able to meet you. This can help you decide if they are people you will want to work with for the duration of your program. It is also a chance to investigate the town/city and see what it is like. You can look into available housing accommodations, see what there is to do in the area, and see if it feels like a place you would enjoy living.

Writing a Personal Statement or Essay

When writing a personal statement, there are several questions you will want to think about:

Answering these questions can help you define your goals for pursuing graduate school and express why you are interested in a particular school or program.

College and University Information:

Visit www.graduateschools.com to locate graduate schools and find more information on the application process.