For most prospective graduate students there is both a sense of excitement and a degree of apprehension associated with the graduate school admissions process, as well as with succeeding once enrolled in graduate school. While your undergraduate educational choice was most likely a joint venture with those who had a certain degree of authority and influence over you, such as family members, high school personnel, etc., the decision about when and where to attend graduate school is, for the most part, yours alone. You may have a sense of excitement about that. However, there may also be a sense of nervousness as you contemplate “getting in,” and once admitted, how you will handle everything, especially the financial obligations.
It may be helpful to know that in addition to being an enrollment management professional, I have been in your shoes twice. In 1983, I completed a two-year master’s degree program. Twelve years later I earned a Ph.D., which took six years to complete. In both instances, I started as a full-time student and completed my degree part-time after returning to the world of employment. While the challenges and sacrifices were many, so were and continue to be the rewards – personally, professionally and financially.
What you are about to read comes largely form my new book, Road Map for Graduate Study: A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students, the second edition of which was released in 2018.
As you begin your search for the right graduate engineering program, it is crucial that you take the time you need to do an effective job. The biggest mistake prospective graduate students make is not doing a good job researching their options before making application. This article has two sections: 1) Four of seven Personal Questions to ask yourself; 2) A special word on allowing enough time for your search.
Four of Seven Personal Questions to Ask Yourself
At some point in your recent past you have decided to consider graduate study. You may or may not end up going in that direction, but for now it is on your mind. Before going any further, ask yourself the following seven questions:
1. Why do you want to do this? There are many reasons. Here are some:
- To truly learn more
- To add a credential to your resume
- To have a better chance of being promoted
- To have more credibility in your chosen field
- To change careers
- To increase your earning potential
- Because of pressure from your family
- Because of a need to feel better about yourself
- Because you don’t know what else to do at the moment
- Something else
What are my reasons for pursuing a graduate degree? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do my reasons make sense?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you want to do this now?
- Because you are mentally/emotionally ready for a new challenge
- Because your employer is encouraging you to do so, and might help sponsor you
- Because you have reached a plateau in your career
- Because you are not getting any younger
- Because it is a logical next step for you professionally
- Because you are ready financially
- Because you have the necessary time to commit
- Something else
Why do I want to pursue a graduate degree now? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Do my reasons make sense?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What type of academic/professional degree are you seeking?
- M.A., M.S., J.D., MBA, MSW, MSJ, M.Ed., etc.,
- Ed.D., Ph.D., LL.M., M.D., Psy.D., etc.
- Joint degree
If you are seeking a degree in law, medicine, or business, you have a fairly clear idea of the type of professional graduate degree you need. However, if you are thinking about education, social service, public policy, the humanities, social sciences, etc., you may want to do a more thorough search of the type of degree earned for the area in which you are interested. For example, you may not need a Ph.D. to advance in the area of public policy; a master’s degree may be sufficient.
What type of degree am I seeking?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Is there a geographic region of your country or the world where you would like to study? Perhaps you have always wanted to live in another part of your country or go abroad for graduate study. Knowing what you are thinking as to location will help guide your search. However, at this early stage be careful not to rule out a certain location completely. During the search process, you may find that an option emerges in that geographic region that may be worth a closer look.
Where would I like to study?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Allow Enough Time for Your Search
Having considered these questions, you are now ready to start gathering information about the various options available to you. Allow time for your search. Graduate school is not something to take lightly. As we have just observed, it involves a major investment personally, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and financially. Be sure to allow yourself enough time to do your “due diligence” and get all of the information you want and need. It is wise to take about a year to do your research. If you are considering starting your program of study in the fall, you will want to start your search two years ahead of time. Why two years, you may ask? Typically, graduate schools start accepting applications just under a year before the intended start date. In order for you to have time to thoroughly evaluate all of the information you will receive and read, you will need at least a year before applying to gather that information and thoroughly review it.
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Be sure to check out Dr. Don’s book, “Road Map for Graduate Study, A Guide for Prospective Graduate Students,” right here on the GSRM website. For a reduced price CLICK HERE, go to The Book page, scroll down, click on the Order Now box, and use discount code GSRM.