Deciding on Graduate School
So, you’re thinking about going to graduate school? You are, like many, at a very pivotal point that will change your life. You might want to advance your career, or maybe you’re considering an entirely new path. You’ve come to the right place. Choosing the right program—with the right courses and the right faculty—is essential to a fulfilling graduate school experience. As you scroll below, you can find articles that explore every aspect of the journey you are about to embark upon.
Additional Deciding on Graduate School Articles
Why Graduate School, Why Now?
If you’re here, you’ve probably already asked yourself this question more than a few times. Maybe you’ve just finished four years at a college or university; you could be rethinking your career; or, you’re trying to advance in your field. You’ve at least considered graduate school and now you want to know the most important answer: whether it’s right for you. Many factors will affect your decision to seek an advanced degree. For some Read the Rest…
Most Popular Graduate School Fields of Study
You can study everything from feet to dinosaurs in graduate school. And, many schools allow you to create an individualized topic. But, for the abundance of options, there are some clear career preferences. The 2010 Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees conducted by the Council of Graduate Schools showed that more people are attending graduate school than ever before—and some of the programs are more popular than others. In 2009, only two fields made Read the Rest…
How to Evaluate Your Options and Choose the Right Program
The best advice anyone can give a potential graduate student is to plan well and plan early. It will take you between six and nine months from the day you begin research until you receive your first admittance letter. The earliest planning should begin during your undergraduate studies. You will need a solid grade point average (think: above 3.0) to be considered for most graduate programs. If you slack off in college and don’t Read the Rest…
Do You Want To Sit In A Classroom or Work From Home? Are You Seeking a Traditional Campus or an Online Education?
It seems obvious, but traditional campus life and online learning are very different. Some will say that the biggest benefit of a traditional concrete campus is the “college experience.” It involves going to a classroom, meeting with classmates and professors and engaging in extra-curricular activities. Students at traditional schools often live on campus, at least for the first year or two, or live off-campus but nearby. This creates an environment of learning and camaraderie. Read the Rest…
Faculty Is More Important Than You Realize
When the relationship between faculty and student is in its best form, lifelong relationships are formed. When it’s in its worst, both parties are unhappy. Faculty members in graduate programs have no choice in the matter; the students in their classrooms are the ones they’re responsible to teach. But you, as the student, can meet professors and teaching assistants ahead of time, educate yourself about their work styles and personalities, and choose the faculty Read the Rest…
The Graduate Fair Affair
One of the best things to do when considering graduate school is to attend local graduate school fairs. Representatives from hundreds of graduate schools and their individual departments, for example, Columbia University School of Continuing Education, set up booths and wait for students just like you to come ask questions. You can be sure that just about any community or four-year college hosts these types of fairs each year, including your own alma mater, Read the Rest…
