Making the Decision
The decision to attend graduate or professional school is an important one and should be based on your interests and the needs and requirements of your career choice. You should take into account the appropriate timing of graduate study and possible alternative routes to your career choice that might not require additional education.
Graduate work can serve as an apprenticeship for future work in an academic field or it can provide a foundation for careers in other professions. Application to graduate school should reflect an affirmation of your career choice and should not be considered in order to avoid important life-work decisions, as in, “I don't know what to do - I'll go to graduate school.”
Remaining flexible and open to many different possibilities will aid you in the decision making process. Keep in mind that it is wise to have a backup plan. CAPS counselors can help you consider graduate school issues as well as alternative career options.
Preparation and planning are essential in order to determine when and if graduate school is the right path for you. A crucial step is to determine whether or not graduate work is necessary for you to achieve your goals. Students often choose to spend time after college gaining experience and defining their goals before making the decision to apply to graduate school. For many, this time offers an opportunity for the reflection, exploration, and clarification that was difficult to accomplish during their undergraduate years.
As you begin the decision making process, some questions to consider are:
- Am I certain enough about my career interests to go right on to graduate school or should I wait to acquire more experience?
- Does my chosen career field require an advanced degree for entrance, or will it enhance my marketability later as a seasoned professional?
- Will I pursue the degree on a full time or part time basis, knowing there are advantages and disadvantages to both options?
- What resources do I have available for financing a graduate degree?
