Graduate School - Decisions - Questions to Ask - Pros and Cons - Researching Schools - Admission Requirements - Curriculum - Reputation and Quality of Program - Placement - Faculty - Location and Size

Sep 17, 2026

Graduate School decisions section guides prospective applicants through self-exploration before committing. It provides a structured checklist of questions covering motivations, career impact, degree value, timing, financing, and readiness for academics and writing. It then outlines how to research schools and compare options using practical factors such as study mode, program level, sources of information, and targeted outreach to departments, students, and recruiters. Finally, it lists evaluation criteria for admissions, curriculum fit, program reputation, accreditation, placement outcomes, faculty resources, and location and size preferences.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Questions to Ask

Pros and Cons

Researching Schools

Admission Requirements

Curriculum

Reputation and Quality of Program

Placement

Faculty

Location and Size

Graduate School DECISIONS The decision to attend graduate school is a big one . There are many factors to consider and you should feel confident about your choice . It is important that you do some soul searching and research before you jump in . This section will help lay the ground work for some of that self-exploration . Questions to Ask Before you decide to continue your education in graduate school, consider the following questions: • Why do I want to go to graduate school? • Is it for personal or professional reasons? • Am I postponing some tough decisions by going to graduate school? (i .e . , I’m not sure what I want todo with my life, so I’ll just keep going to school . ) • How might graduate school affect my career or professional plans? • Will the graduate degree enhance or narrow my employment prospects? • Will the specific area of study help me get the job I want? • Look up your intended career at www .onetonline .org . Do most people in the field have a graduate degree? Will a master’s degree be enough or will you need a doctorate? • Do I need to attend right away? • Would I benefit more by gaining some practical experience before pursuing graduate school? • Search for current openings in your field and review position descriptions . Do most require a graduate degree or is more emphasis placed on experience? • Am I burned out academically or anxious to continue with academic work? • If the thought of writing another paper makes you want to scream, you may need a break before continuing your education . • Do I know exactly what discipline I want to study? • Choosing a program that’s right for you is much easier when you know what you are looking for . • How will I finance it? CAREER SERVICES PLANNING GUIDE | 73 Pros and Cons There are a number of advantages to proceeding directly to graduate school, but there are probably an equal amount of disadvantages . A few to consider: 74 | LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY RESEARCHING SCHOOLS Once you have answered the previous questions and feel confident about going to graduate school, the nextstep is to decide where to go . Below are some things to consider . We have also provided a comparison chart on page 77 to help you stay organized . • Full time or part time? • Online or in person? • Master’s or doctorate? Here are some sources for finding information: • Talk with individuals who have knowledge of the field (faculty, advisors, friends, alumni, counselors) to determine what type of advance degree is needed . • Consult books, articles, websites and graduate school catalogs . • Peterson’s Guides • GradSchools .com • GradCU .com (available in Career Services) • GraduateGuide .com (available in Career Services) • Write to individual graduate departments requesting information . • Visit schools to meet with faculty and current graduate students . • Talk by phone or establish an email discussion with graduate students enrolled in the programs which you are considering . • Meet with graduate school recruiters on campus . • Attend graduate school fairs and forums . Factors to consider when selecting a graduate school: ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS • Can you realistically get admitted? • How competitive is admission to the program? • Do you meet the admissions requirements (GPA, test scores, course background, work experience, etc . )? • Does the department prefer to admit recent college graduates or applicants with work experience? • Does the department have a preference for full-time or part-time students? CURRICULUM • Does the graduate school have the curriculum you plan to pursue? • Does the primary emphasis of the program suit your educational goals? • Will the curriculum provide you with the background you desire? • How do the requirements of the program compare to those of other institutions? • How many courses/credits are required? • Is a foreign language

FAQs

What factors should I consider before deciding to attend graduate school?

Consider your reasons, whether the decision is personal or professional, how graduate school may affect your career plans, and whether the degree will enhance your employment prospects.

How should I research and compare graduate schools?

Decide whether you want full-time or part-time, and online or in person, then gather information from people in the field, books/articles/websites, catalogs, and direct outreach to departments and current students.

What criteria help determine if a graduate program is a good fit?

Evaluate admission competitiveness and requirements, curriculum alignment with your goals, program reputation and accreditation, placement outcomes, faculty availability and viewpoints, and location and size preferences.

Sep 17, 2026

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