How to Choose a Graduate School

Choosing a graduate school is a daunting task, but with the right research and investigation, you can narrow it down to a few top choices.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Address Books
• Postage Stamps
• Envelopes
• Printer Paper
• Grad School Aptitude Tests

1. Visit your college's career and placement office and read graduate school guidebooks.

2. Think about the kind of program you want: Do you prefer education that is more theoretical or practical? How large an emphasis on research do you desire? Do you want a flexible or structured curriculum?

3. Talk to faculty in your field of interest and ask them to recommend strong programs. If you have close relationships with your professors, they might be able to better suggest programs that are good fits for you.

4. Consider whom you want to work with. The professors you work with in graduate school make a big difference, so research their backgrounds and publications.

5. Research the school's reputation. Look for information about what alumni are now doing - job placement statistics, fields of entry. Is there a high bias toward a certain field or specialty?

6. Think about where you want to work after graduation. Some schools might be recognized more, or have better alumni networks, in certain areas than in others.

7. Decide what you can afford. Get information about internships, teaching assistantships, loans and grants.

8. Consider the school's location and size. Do you prefer a big city or a small town? Think about recreational opportunities. If you have a spouse, consider his or her needs.

9. Pick some programs that really interest you and request informational and application materials from their admissions offices and the appropriate academic departments.

10. Apply to a range of schools. Pick a few long shots, a few solid choices and a few safeties. It is reasonable to apply to 6 to 12 schools.

11. Visit the campuses and talk to students after applying. Assess the facilities.

Tips & Warnings

• You certainly can call the professors at your top choices and discuss the programs with them (which might also make them more likely to recommend that you be accepted into the program).

• Study hard for your standardized tests, such as the GRE, LSAT and MCAT. Many schools, especially law and medical schools, pay close attention to such scores.

• If you don't think your record is good enough for you to get into the Ph.D. program or medical school of your choice, consider taking some extra courses to boost your record or getting a master's degree first.