Consider Graduate School after College

As your senior year of college comes rushing to a close before you, it is important to look at all options for after graduation.

While many of your classmates are ready to embrace the working world with open arms, you may feel like you need more time. You are not ready to graduate and feel that you need more education and guidance.

Graduate school is an option to consider. While in graduate school, you can concentrate on a specific subject area and go more in- depth of what you desire to do.

The first step to deciding if graduate school is an option for you is to do your research. Talk to your academic advisor or career counselor to discuss possible programs to look into. Faculty in your field of interest may be able to recommend programs and suggest different options for you.

Visit the school’s online websites for information on their specific programs. Take a tour of the campus and talk to other graduate students. Look for factors such as: job placement statistics, reputation, networking, fields of entry, teaching assistantships, and finances through loans and grants.

Determine which type of graduate school is best for you. Degrees are available in various fields including: law, medicine, business, and ministry. Consider all your options and what will fit your needs best. Consider the school’s size and location. Think about the needs of your loved ones and family. Ultimately, make realistic decisions to all the factors of your life and now your future plans will impact them.

When you have decided that graduate school is the way to go for you, look at the admission requirements for each school. Most schools require prospective students to take a standardized test. Graduate schools require the GRE, which stands for Graduate Record Examinations. The GRE tests students in three main areas: verbal ability, mathematical proficiency, and analytical ability. There are two sections of each of the three areas; each section is thirty minutes long and has an average of thirty questions per section.

Medical schools require the MCAT and law schools require the LSAT. Both tests are similar to the GRE; however, they are more specific to their respective fields. It is important to prepare for all standardized tests by becoming familiar with the test format, reviewing fundamentals, and taking practice tests as much as possible.

While deciding if graduate school is for you, look at the big picture. Decide what you want to do after you complete graduate school. Since it is hard to narrow your options specifically, apply to a wide range of schools. Many career counselors suggest applying to six to twelve schools. Within those schools, pick a few dream schools, a few solid choices, and a few safeties just in case your dream schools do not work out.

Most importantly, be content with your decision. Graduate school is a new, exciting experience. As many of your undergraduate classmates are heading into the working world, take advantage of continuing your education.