Graduate School Preparation

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding” Proverbs 3:13

APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOL | GRAD SCHOOL TESTS

Graduate school may enhance opportunities to achieve your professional and/or personal goals. It is a major investment of time, money, and energy. Therefore, it is important to plan carefully and investigate your options.

General Information

GradSchools.com - the leading and most comprehensive online graduate school guide to find the best graduate schools and graduate degree programs
Gradschool.com - Your site for graduate school information.
GradView.com - Compiled by Hobsons, this site contains program searches, financial aid information, test prep, careers & programs, and articles & advice.
GradSource.com - your essential resources to graduate studies and professional degrees.
GraduateGuide.com - a directory of Graduate Schools in the United States and Canada.
Medical School Comparison
Law Schools Comparison
Business School Comparison

Is Grad School Right for You?

Answer these questions before pursuing graduate school:

• Do you have a clear idea of the career you want to pursue?
• Is a graduate degree a requirement for your career, will it make employment easier, or could it make your job search difficult because you'll be seen as "overqualified" for your field?
• Who wants you to go to graduate school? Is it in your interests or motivation pushing for the advanced degree - or are you responding to advice from parents or friends?
• What can you do with your B.A. or B.S.? If you're afraid that there is nothing you can do with your major in history, explore your career choices by making an appointment with Career Development by email.
• Will the time and money you spend on graduate school repay you for money and experience you will earn if you take a job and begin immediately after graduation?
• Is there another avenue for continued learning? For instance, could you gain the marketable skills and knowledge you want through professional seminars and workshops or community college classes?

• If you put off graduate school for three years, are there things you will gain?

I'm not sure what else to do...

• Graduate students are expected to have clearly defined interests and goals - it's not necessarily the place to "find yourself."
• If your love of a subject is so great that you want to immerse yourself in study, graduate school may be perfect for you!

I'll take a year off first...
PROS

• Gaining work experience before graduate school can enhance your application credentials.
• Work experience can help define your goals and field of study.

• Some programs will not admit you without prior experience.

CON

• Life happens: relationships, car payments, house payments, responsibilities. One year can turn into ten.