Career Handbook
9th Edition

Career Handbook

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Deciding on Graduate School

Does graduate or professional school fit into your career plans? If you are thinking about attending graduate or professional school it is essential to explore your options carefully. The decision to go to graduate or professional school requires early planning, including knowing deadlines for admission tests and submission of detailed applications and transcripts.

Before making the decision to attend graduate school, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do I have a career objective which requires an advanced degree?
  • Have I identified my interests and skills and assessed how they relate to my academic subject area?
  • Am I aware of the career areas for which the advanced degree will prepare me and the employment outlook for these fields?
  • Have I talked with professionals currently working in my intended career area to get answers to some of these questions?
  • Have I discussed my plans with advisers, professors and/or counselors?
  • What are the entrance requirements for admission to the graduate or professional programs of my choice?

Attending graduate school can be a tremendous benefit when:

  • Further education is necessary to attain a career objective.
  • An advanced degree will create additional career opportunities.
  • You enjoy learning and it would provide personal satisfaction.

Attending graduate school may be a mistake if the purpose is to:

  • Postpone making a career decision and entering the job market.
  • Avoid leaving the familiar atmosphere of school.

Resources available to help you make your decision:

  • Career counselors in Career Services
  • The Career Resource Center in Career Services
  • Internet Resources on the Career Services web site.
  • The UMD Head of the Lakes Job Fair and the Graduate and Professional School Day
  • Your faculty adviser and other faculty and staff
  • Professionals currently working in your desired field

Graduate or professional school?

The highest degree which can be earned in graduate school is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Obtaining a PhD requires the pursuit of original research. On the other hand, professional training emphasizes the practical application of knowledge and skills (e.g. JD for law school, MD for medical school). Master's degree programs are offered in most fields and can be either academic/research focused or professional/practitioner training. It is often not necessary to obtain a Master's before entering a PhD program.

When should you begin researching programs?

Start early. Most students will finish researching programs by the beginning of their last year of undergraduate study so they can complete applications during the fall of their senior year. Most application deadlines are between January and April for fall admission but some may be as soon as November. Application deadlines for assistantships and other financial aid for graduate programs are usually earlier than the deadlines for the programs. Remember, you need to give your test scores time to arrive and your references time to write their recommendations.

Criteria for evaluating programs

  • Academic programs, degrees offered, academic focus, and course requirements
  • Faculty and their areas of study, reputation, and credentials
  • Accreditation
  • Admission standards and requirements
  • Cost and financial aid, including assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships
  • Location and surrounding community
  • Availability of career assistance
  • Culture
  • Physical facilities, equipment, labs, and libraries

When possible, visit the schools you are seriously considering. Talk with or e-mail graduate students already in the programs. Find out about the relationship between students and faculty. Ask yourself if you will get what you need out of the program.

Applying to schools

The application usually consists of a number of pieces of information on which you will be evaluated:

  • Personal statement
  • Test scores
  • Grade point average
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Experience

Different schools and programs within the schools may evaluate and place different emphases on each piece. Apply to several programs so you have choices.

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