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Grad School Resources

Should I go to graduate school? 

If you’re thinking about going to graduate school, you should ask yourself the following questions to determine if furthering your education is the right step towards achieving your professional goals.  

  • What is my interest level in this field? 
  • How will graduate school advance my career/is it required? 
  • Am I willing to put in the time and effort demanded of graduate study? 
  • How many years of graduate study are required? Should I pursue a masters degree or a doctoral degree? 
  • Is it more valuable to continue my education directly from my undergraduate degree or should I gain some more hands-on experience before applying? 


What should you consider before applying? 

  • Reflect on the type of program you’re looking for. Research different graduate programs, their faculty, classes, and opportunities for professional development and to help determine what your educational goals will be. 
  • Research the location and environment best for your studies. Depending on your desired industry, certain locations might give you better access to networking opportunities and experiential options. Consider whether it is important to you to live close to family and friends, if the climate or rural vs. urban setting matters, etc. 
  • Consider the size of the department and size of the incoming cohort that you would be joining. Do you prefer small or large class sizes?  
  • Do the faculty in the department represent your research interests? 
  • Accurately consider your funding availability for the programs you are interested in. Will you need to pursue a program that offers graduate assistantships, apply for grants/fellowships, or take out loans? 

Once you’ve done the research, create a list of schools that reflect your answers to the questions above. Make note of application deadlines, fees, and determine what materials are needed to apply.  

Some common documents include: 

  • A resume/CV 
  • Standardized test scores (GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, DAT) 
  • Personal statement 
  • Letters of recommendation 


The following resources can help you with researching graduate schools: 


It is important to start this process early, as programs have varied deadlines to follow. If you’re considering graduate school, make an appointment with us to get started!