Deciding to go Unlike college, which involves studying a broad range of subjects, graduate school involves specialized study in a specific subject area. People may attend graduate school for different reasons, such as to acquire skills for a specialized profession or to pursue a deeply held interest. But in all cases, they attend graduate school to gain a depth of knowledge in one particular area.
Take a personal inventory of your interests. For example:
- What are your personal and professional goals in life?
- Do you really love the field you're considering studying in graduate school?
- If you're considering grad school for employment reasons, do you need an advanced degree to work at the level you want within your chosen field? Would other alternatives, such as professional seminars or continuing education courses, help meet your goals?
- Are you well prepared for the commitment (time and money) to graduate school? Some grad programs require applicants to pass a credit check as a criterion for admission, since many students must use credit-based loans to fund a portion of the cost. See financing your higher education for more financial aid information, or visit Nellie Mae's Loan Center for more information on loans for graduate students.
- Do you have support systems in place among those close to you, including your family and your employer if you plan to work while attending grad school?
- If you're an undergraduate student, are you considering grad school simply to postpone a job search? It may be worthwhile taking time off between college and graduate school to be sure you're approaching a graduate program for the right reasons.
Exploring grad school options After conducting your self-inventory and determining that graduate school is right for you, explore different graduate programs to help you decide where to apply. In addition to the program of study itself, keep in mind some criteria that may be important to your decision, such as:
- location of the school (proximity to your work or home)
- quality of the facilities, including library and lab resources
- quality of the faculty, including their academic credentials, whether they've conducted special research projects, and have published professional articles, etc.
- curriculum design (Does the school offer flexible programs such as weekend classes or self-directed study? These can be important options, especially if you plan to attend grad school while working or raising a family.)
- level of diversity among faculty and student body
- education mission of the school
- strength of postgraduate career placement
Many resources are available to assist with your grad school search. Here are a few:
Visit grad school campuses in person and meet with students and faculty members in your program of interest. First-hand information about the program and first impressions about the school can be invaluable in helping to narrow your selection.
Applying to grad school Graduate schools may have different processes and requirements but, in general, you will have to submit:
- an application form, including a personal essay
- a nonrefundable application fee
- academic transcripts
- letters of recommendation
- standardized test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), or Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
- Find out more about test requirements and preparation by visiting the Graduate and Professional School Testing page of GradSchool.com.
- A free GRE Online Course Demo is available when you register at www.PrincetonReview.com/grad.
Many programs also require a personal interview.
Unlike applying to college, graduate school applicants generally apply to a specific department or program at the school. Be sure to check the department's application filing deadline and request the forms you need to complete your application well in advance of the deadline. Also find out whether you can or are required to complete part of the application online (or download it).
Depending upon your chosen discipline, you may be able to complete one central application.
- The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS®) is a centralized system for medical school applicants. You can submit one online application to AMCAS to apply to most medical schools. Visit www.aamc.org/audienceamcas.htm for more information.
- For law school applicants, the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) centralizes and standardizes undergraduate academic records to simplify law school admissions.
Additional resources