Is Graduate School for Me?

Perhaps one of the biggest decisions one will make is whether or not to attend graduate school. It can be challenging to weigh the pros and cons of graduate school attendance. The following questions can be very helpful as you try and determine your future regarding graduate school. 

Am I prepared to commit to a career field?
Action point: take the free FOCUS career assessment and schedule a meeting with your career counselor to discuss results
Words of wisdom: Exploring the field with internships and job shadows will be extremely beneficial when trying to determine your interest in a career field.

Is it worth the financial investment?
Action point: familiarize yourself with potential funding sources
Words of Wisdom: Many institutions offer aid and tuition assistance through graduate assistantships. Federal loans are also available to many graduate students. Aid DOES vary based on institution, so it’s vital to do homework regarding institutions of interest.

Which institution do I want to attend?
Action point: Research, Research, Research!
Words of Wisdom: Some helpful questions to ask and research one when considering an institution include:

• What does the program emphasize? How many students are enrolled in the program?
• How long does it take to complete the program?
• Where is the institution located?
• What research areas are faculty members studying at the institution?

For more information please take advantage of the following free services

• Visit IPFW Career Services office, Helmke Library, or the office of your program of study 
• Published Guides: Peterson’s guides to graduate school available at www.petersons.com (highly recommended source) 
• Published rankings: Institutional rankings can be found through U.S. News and World Report, The Gourman Report, and McLean’s. *Please remember that these rankings are subjective and do not provide information regarding professors, job placement records, financial aid possibilities, etc.