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Career Development Services
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Selecting the school that is right for You:
Once you have determined that grad school is right for you and you have decided on a program of study, it’s time to start researching schools. The research and application process can be very time consuming, so start early. Ideally, start the entire process a year and a half before you wish to enroll.
As part of the school selection process, consider these factors:
- Tuition costs (public vs. private)
- Geographic location of school (in-state vs. out-of-state, travel and housing considerations)
- Reputation/quality of the program (accreditation, ranking)
- Selectivity of program (your chances of getting in)
- “Culture” of the program (collegiality among and between students and faculty, level of emphasis on research, etc.)
Most prospective graduate students will apply to several programs, often ranging from the ideal school to acceptable schools to back-up schools. Your selection decision will depend on the compatibility of each program with your personal needs and goals.
There are numerous resources available on the Internet to research schools, such as www.MyPlan.com (click on the “Colleges” tab.) Also, ask your professors if they know about the schools you are interested in. Sometimes there is no substitute to actually going to the school for a visit. A school visit will enable you to tour the campus and surrounding community, check out the housing options, speak with admissions representatives, sit in on classes, and meet current students and faculty. Frequently a campus will have a “feel” to it that you can’t experience without being there.
It may not be financially feasible to visit all the schools you wish to attend, so do as much research as possible to narrow your list to the school’s you are most interested in.
Contact a Career Advisor if you would like to discuss your options and make sure graduate school is right for you.
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