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Deciding whether or where to go to graduate school is a difficult decision. Figuring out how to pay for it is an even bigger challenge, especially if you’re deep in debt from your undergraduate studies.
A threshold question is to ask yourself why you want to go to graduate school. Here are some common reasons why college students go on to graduate school:
- To obtain specialized training for a career, such as a law or medical degree
- To obtain a more marketable job skill
- To pursue advanced knowledge in a particular subject
Aside from asking yourself why you want to go to graduate school, you must answer these questions:
- Are my grades good enough to go to graduate school?
- Are my test scores, such as GMATs and GREs, high enough to get into graduate school?
- Am I motivated enough to pursue a graduate degree?
- What are the short-term and long-term job prospects for individuals holding that particular graduate degree?
- Will I need to pursue additional studies after I finish my degree, such as a Ph.D. in addition to a Masters degree?
- Do I fully understand the types of courses I’ll be taking?
- Am I being realistic about the cost of graduate school and my ability to pay for it?
You should also decide if you have your heart set on one particular university or if any school will suffice.
Costs vs. Potential Rewards >> |
