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 the Career Center by email at careercenter@nwcu.edu.
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 neccessarily 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.