Choosing a Graduate Program
Once you have decided that graduate school is right for you and
that you are right for it, you must begin researching which
programs will best fit your needs. It is tempting to just apply to
the top few programs in your field; however, rankings do not
necessarily reflect a program's strengths and weaknesses for the
particular area in which you are interested. Plus, there are many
important criteria not included in the ranking systems. Among the
criteria you should consider when choosing a graduate program are
the following:
- Faculty member(s) with whom you want to work
- Courses you want to take (and how often those courses
offered)
- Available funding, including what percentage of students are
funded and how well does such funding cover tuition and living
expenses
- Teaching, research, or internship opportunities
- Average time to complete the degree in the program
- Percentage of students in the program who complete their
degrees
- Graduate placement records
- Other resources on or near campus (labs, external research
partners, language training programs, and others)
- Current graduate students' satisfaction with the program
- Location, location, location
For most students, it is a combination of the above factors that
will determine which graduate program to attend. One of the best
ways to gather the above information is to contact departmental
secretaries or Directors of Graduate Studies and ask for statistics
regarding funding, time to completion, and placement. Also ask for
the names of some faculty, graduate students, and alumni you can
contact. If possible, visit the campus and talk to people in
person. If you are under consideration for a departmental or
university fellowship, they may pay for your campus visit.
Regardless of how you gather your information, make sure that you
investigate all important criteria. Depending on the program, you
may spend two to ten years of your life in graduate school, so make
sure you do your homework and choose wisely.