How to Choose a Graduate School
Faculty, Fit, Student Culture, and Other Grad Program Considerations
Looking for the perfect place to earn your master's degree or PhD? Here are some crtieria to keep in mind as you choose a graduate program.
Choosing the right graduate school is a decision you should consider carefully. The process of earning a PhD or master's degree is a huge time commitment, and you'll want to make sure you're spending this time at a place that is worth your efforts. It's also an investment in your future, so you need to find a school with faculty members and opportunities to help you advance in your career.
So how do you decide where to attend? Be sure to spend time visiting schools and talking to faculty, and try to get in touch with current and former graduate students to hear about their experiences. When asking questions about the program, here are some criteria to keep in mind.
Graduate School "Fit"
A school may have prestigious faculty and lots of resources, but that doesn't mean it will fit your professional and personal needs. You need to make sure that you choose a program that will help you meet your goals, and that your needs will be respected and valued. When choosing a program, here are some questions you might ask yourself and others about fit.
- Does this program emphasize theory more than practice, or vice versa?
- What kinds of research are conducted in this department?
- Is the goal of this program primarily to train people to work at research institutions, or are they also eager to work with people who want to go into industry or teach at liberal arts colleges?
- When it comes to the heated debates in your field, where do faculty members in this department stand? Are they genuinely open to working with students who don't agree with them on these issues?
- How competitive is the environment of this department? Do students work together, or against each other?
- Is this department supportive of students who have family obligations?
- Is this department supportive of women and minorities?
- When you're in the department, does it just feel right?
Graduate School Finances
Being a grad student is not going to make you rich, but some programs are much more affordable than others. It might be worth it to go thousands of dollars in debt to get a degree from a particular institution-- but then again, it might not! Here are some financial considerations to keep in mind.
- How likely is that that you will be offered a teaching or research assistantship? How much will these pay?
- What is the cost of living like in the area where this school is located? Can students live affordably?
- Will you need to go into debt to pay for your graduate education, and if so, how far?
- Will the department help you pay for travel to conferences and research expenses?
- Will you (and perhaps your family) be required to relocate if you attend this school? How much will this cost?
- Is it worth it to you professionally and personally to spend the money needed to complete this program?
Faculty Considerations
Spend time learning about the faculty in the department. You can start by looking for information on the department website and by reading some of their research. It's best if you can actually meet with some of the faculty before committing to the program. Here are some things you might look for when it comes to the faculty.
- Are there at least a few people on the faculty with interests similar to yours?
- Are there several people on this faculty who might make a good thesis or dissertation advisor?
- Do graduate students have ample opportunities to do research with faculty members?
- Do the faculty members have enough prestige and professional connections to help you get a job when you leave school?
- Do the faculty members make time to work with grad students, or do they see students as an imposition?
- Do the faculty members get along with each other?
- Do faculty members avoid favoritism and inappropriate relationships with students?
- Are the faculty members respectful of women and minority students?
Student Culture
Relationships with your fellow grad students are more important than you may realize. Throughout the years, you may be collaborating with these people, and the connections you form with them may lead to jobs and opportunities. In addition, a friendly and supportive cohort of grad students can make the experience so much more enjoyable. When examining the graduate student culture, here are some things to consider.
- Are students very competitive with one another?
- Do students work together on publications and other projects?
- Do students socialize with each other? If so, what do they do together?
- Is the graduate culture open and friendly, or is it clique-ish?
Program Considerations
You'll also want to look at the program as a whole, both in terms of its everyday offerings and the program's reputation. Here are some things to consider.
- Are there enough courses offered in the department that reflect your interests?
- What are the coursework requirements for the program, both inside and outside of the department?
- Does the department have a healthy relationship with the dean and the rest of the university?
- Does the program have a strong reputation in your field?
- Does the program have a friendly relationship with other graduate programs and businesses, or have hostile relationships formed that may limit your job possibilities?
- Where have graduates of this program found jobs? Has this been easy for them?
Best of luck with your decision! Keep reading for advice on how to write a graduate school application essay and how to choose a dissertation or thesis topic.
