6 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN THINKING ABOUT GRAD SCHOOL
Is grad school on the back of your mind but you have no idea how to approach it? Although the process can be daunting, it is not as overwhelming as you think! There are so many factors to consider when going back to school, but the good news is that anybody can do it with a little hard work and motivation!
Here are six tips for recent graduates or young professionals that helped me with my decision to go to grad school:
Figure out your passion
Find your passion and let that guide your decision! The most important step to take when considering grad school is figuring out what program you want to do. For me, this was realizing that I no longer wanted to pursue law school and rather wanted to get my MS in Marketing.
It’s important to realize that your undergraduate degree does not have to determine what you do in grad school. Ask yourself — what do I want to learn? What job am I trying to get with this degree? Am I exploring my interests or am I furthering my career? (Bonus points if you’re doing both!) Research the type of career you are aiming for and determine if this degree will help you achieve that. Talk to people in your dream career field about their educational background. Once you figure out the passion you want to follow, choosing the program and school comes much easier!
2. The different ways you can go to school
The cool part about grad school is how flexible it is. There are so many options about how to take classes, so you aren’t limited to sitting in a classroom all week! You will have the choice between in person or online classes, as well as full-time or part-time.
This is a choice that you can make to suit your schedule and personal preferences. If you have a rigorous work schedule and want to balance that as well as classes, maybe part-time, online classes are the best choice for you. If you are looking to get through the degree as fast as you can, full-time might be the best choice! There are many programs that are designed around working professionals who plan to keep their full time work schedule. It’s all about what fits into your life at this particular time.
3. Is right now the best time?
Are you just graduating from your undergraduate program and considering going straight to grad school? Should you work for a few years and then go back to school? These are great questions to consider when thinking about grad school. It’s important to know what your priorities are and plan around those. Once you are in grad school, your classes will take up a good amount of your time, so you most likely won’t want to be starting your dream job at the same time. Think about your current schedule and what you think is a realistic balance for you, and then decide when the right time is. Grad school will always be there, and you’re never too old to continue your education!
4. Finances
Cost is a large factor when considering furthering your education. Will obtaining this degree increase the salary that you could eventually make? Can you manage taking out loans for this degree? Can you balance a part time or full time job on top of school? Do you work for an employer that will pay for your education?
Something that I learned when applying for my program is the amount of scholarships available to grad students. Just like an undergraduate program, your university’s financial office will be available to offer advice for scholarship availability, payment plans, and on campus work.
5. Getting organized and applying
Actually applying to grad school can seem incredibly overwhelming, especially if you do not know much about the process. Every school and every program is different, but the most beneficial tip for me was to stay organized and on top of deadlines.
Figure out what you will actually need to apply. Does the school you’re applying to require admission tests? Are there different start dates and deadlines throughout the year? Most grad school programs will provide a list of required materials, so you should start compiling those right when you decide on your program. Once you start to consider grad school, reach out to some of your undergraduate professors and see if they would be willing to write you letters of recommendation and request official transcript records from your university. If you keep deadlines and checklists of your materials organized, the application process will be a breeze for you!
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Grad school is a big decision, and you should not be afraid to reach out to people if you need help or have questions. The best thing I did when making this decision was talk to people around me that I knew had gone through the same process. Reach out to family, friends, and classmates if you know they might have useful advice for you or if you know anybody who went to the school you are applying to. Reach out to your undergrad professors and see what they think. Talking to people who have gone through the same situations as you is the best way to think through your decisions and get useful information. And don’t forget your university is there to help you! Give them a call if you have any trouble with the application process or want more information on different programs.
