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Choosing which Graduate School to Attend

Once you have made the commitment to attending graduate school, how do you go about choosing a program that is right for you? In short, there are several criteria that can be used to choose graduate school and it is up to you to decide how to prioritize those criteria. But here are some criteria you may want to think about:

• Reputation of the program/school: Check to make sure the program is accredited by a reputable organization. Consult with professionals in the field to give you an idea of the school’s overall reputation.
• Terminal degree goal: In the long run, are you shooting for a master’s degree level or doctorate? Some programs are designed to allow a completion of a master’s degree before completing a doctorate. Some are designed to be a doctoral program only. Other programs will only get you a master’s degree.
• Quality of Faculty: Look at what research and work have the faculty in the graduate program have been working on. Ask how they help their grad students get through the programs.
• Location: You will have to determine if you will be willing to move to attend school. It may be necessary to stay in the area you currently reside.
• Size: You need to look at both the size of the school as well as the size of the school itself. Determine if a small or large program would best fit your needs.
• Financial aid: If finances are a concern, you may want to look at the financial aid packages for each program you are considering. At the graduate level, financial aid can come in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships/traineeships. You may also want to consider a residence life position. These positions often waive tuition and fees, pay room and board and may even provide a stipend as well.
• Placement services & statistics: Investigate what kind of job placement assistance you will get as a graduate student and alum. Some universities will allow alumni to return for placement guidance at any time post graduation. Request information on post-graduate placement regarding number of students employed after graduation in their chosen field.
• Facilities available: You may want to investigate housing options and classroom facilities. Another matter to consider is whether there is access to up to date equipment (i.e. computer labs) and an extensive library with a variety of resources.