GRADUATE SCHOOL: Should you apply?
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here are plenty of reasons you might decide to look into graduate school programs — whether it’s a necessary step for your career, you’re looking to advance your knowledge or pay at your existing job, you’re planning on making a career change or you’re looking to broaden your horizons. Pursuing graduate school can be a rewarding choice for many, depending on your goals and circumstances. If applying for graduate school is something
Graphic by Jiselle Santos
you’re considering, here are some things to keep in mind from one graduate student to another when it comes to deciding whether to go and the application process. Make sure you’re clear on your reason for attending While it’s a common joke that many graduate students choose to go to graduate school because they just weren’t sure what to do after their undergraduate degree and are now in too deep, that situation can be a reality for some students. If you have the time and money to attend graduate school without a concrete reason, then by all means go ahead. However, for many of us it’s important that we know
exactly why we’re willing to put in the work that way when things get difficult, you can remind yourself of what it’s all for. Figure out your payment plan Graduate school isn’t only a large time commitment, but also a financial one. When considering graduate school, do some research on what the top programs you’re interested in are going to cost you and what methods you could use to pay for them. Would you be able to work at the same time to pay off school? Could you take out a loan? Try looking into scholarships offered by your hopeful schools and outside organizations. Do research on which programs you’d like to apply to Not every graduate school is right for everyone, so it’s important to make a list of what you’re looking for out of your hopeful
ADVICE
By Autumn Rendall
program and research schools that offer what you need. Factors like location, expense, career advancement opportunities, employment after graduation rate and the potential for research are just some of what people like to look at in the process of finding their dream school. Familiarize yourself with the application process Now that you’ve finally chosen your top graduate schools and safety choices, the real stressful part is applying. Graduate admissions are different and a bit more complicated than what you might be familiar with from your undergraduate, so you’re going to want to familiarize yourself with the process before you get started. Though admissions requirements can vary from school to school and program to program, here are some common steps to take in HOUSTONIAN // Spring 2021
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