Now that you have an undergraduate degree and a few years of work experience under your belt, you may be considering enrolling in graduate school to take your career to the next level. Successfully completing graduate school requires a significant investment of time and money (hopefully someone else’s).
Check out these tips for finding and paying for the right graduate school for you!
Tip #1. Browse for accredited programs in your chosen field
First, you need to choose a school that fits your criteria, according to graduateschools.com. Your goal would be to apply to schools with a competitive edge, and a national ranking to propel you above the rest. Also consider location. Some schools are in big cities while others are tucked away in sprawling pastures. Would you rather live in a big, metropolitan city or a small town?
Tip #2. Find out about tuition costs and financial aid
Researching programs that are within your budget. Take into account the financial aid resources available at various schools and government agencies such as the U.S Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid. Some employers may pay for you to go back to school up front or as re-reimbursements. Grants, scholarships, teaching assistant positions, loans and work study programs are also worth researching.
Tip#3. Revisit your purpose for going back
Consider your options before pursuing an advanced degree. Before taking upon an extra load and incurring more debt, consider the pros and cons to furthering an education. What is your purpose for returning to school? Could it be a new career, competitive edge, achieving a promotion, or becoming more knowledgeable about certain job techniques or skills involved? These are all solid reasons for going back, according to Petersons.com.
Tip #4 – Seek information about the admissions process for priority deadlines
The admissions process can be time consuming. Seek information about the requirements involved and the exact deadlines for the application process. According to graduateschools.com, you should contact schools, gather applications, recommendations, essays or tests to get the ball rolling.
Tip #5 – Sharpen your basic skills
You will most likely have to take an exam such as the Graduate Record Examination or GRE, as it is commonly called. Take a practice exam, purchase a study guide or enroll in a prep class to help you brush up the skill sets you’ll need to ace the exam.
6. Attend information sessions (meet with faculty and fellow graduate students)
To find out more information about the programs, attend orientation sessions . As a prospective student, ask questions and develop relationships with faculty and current graduate students. Take a tour of the school and get a feel for the environment.
Tip#7: Develop time management skills
Graduate school is much more intensive than undergraduate work, but being organized and planning ahead will make it easier for you. According to careersandcolleges.com, read your syllabi to follow-up with projects, assignments or tests in the semester. Use a monthly calendar or weekly planner to get you through the semester to track courses, meetings, activities and assignments for each week.
Tip #8 – Invest in an admissions consulting firm
One of the first hurdles is the admissions process. Many graduate school applications require essays, recommendations or samples of previous work. You want to present only your very best. Consider investing in an admissions consulting service or an application essay editing firm like pennandpaper.com.
Tip#9. – Apply early
Applying too late can diminish your chances of taking full advantage of available financial aid. Also, a late applicant’s chances of getting into her school of choice may decrease if it is a very competitive school with a low acceptance rate.
Tip #10 – Check into graduate living options
Another word of advice is to check into housing before deciding on a program. The smartest thing to do is find out if your living situation works for you. How close is it to your campus? How much will you have to spend in order to live comfortably? Graduate school can be stressful, you will want a peaceful home you love.
