Steps to Graduate & Professional School

Start with, “Why?”

• Is an advanced degree required to enter the particular profession you’re interested in or in order to advance within the field?
• Do you have the financial resources or know of options to cover the cost of graduate school?
• Are you burned out academically, and do you need to take time off?
• Do you want to go to school full-time or part-time?

Compare reasons to attend graduate school.

Some good reasons to enroll in graduate school include:

• Your career goal requires an advanced degree, such as being a professor, lawyer, or doctor.
• You want to specialize in a subject that is important to you.
• You want to advance in your career or change career directions.

Some bad reasons to enroll in graduate school include:

• You don’t know what you want to do.
• You don’t want to get a job, or you don’t think you can get a job (but you haven’t tried yet).
• You want to postpone paying student loans.

Research and select schools.

Consider all of the following when choosing a program:

• Geographic location
• Cost of program
• Cost of living in program location
• Duration of program
• Areas of emphasis and certificate options
• Accreditation
• Courses
• Faculty
• Program and school's approach toward diversity and inclusion
• Research opportunities
• Practical field experiences/internships
• Application process and requirements
• Program deadlines
• Job placement rates and career support
• Availability of assistantships