Applying to Graduate School

Deciding - Is Graduate School The Right Move Now?

Do you have a passion for pursuing an advanced degree in your field?
Grad school is demanding. Your fellow students will be deeply motivated and committed.

Does your field require an advanced degree? What is the best degree for what you want to do?
Research carefully!

Have you considered the job market in your field once you get your degree?
Want to teach in a college or university? Find out what you can about job prospects in your field. Are you willing to live somewhere other than the east or west coasts?

Are there advantages to working a few years before graduate school?
Work experience can position you to gain admission to a better school, and also to gain more from the graduate school experience than continuing directly to business school after college.

Graduate programs in clinical psychology may also expect after-college work experience, and such experience can position you better for competitive programs.

Have you talked to people about graduate school?
rofessors, people who are already working in your chosen field and current graduate students will provide you with critical insider information. Seek it!

Are you thinking about going to grad school because you’re not sure what else to do?
Come see a counselor. Graduate school should be a path you choose, not a default?

Have you researched fellowships in your field?
Fellowships offer a monetary award to enable you to pursue your field of interest.

Planning Timelines

Research planning timelines for the schools you are interested in. Generally, you apply in the fall or early winter for entrance the following fall. If you plan to apply for grad school for the year after college, you will be applying before your academic record is complete, so your GPA should be strong, and you should arrange to take any required entrance exams early.

Researching Graduate Schools

• JobTrak Guide to Graduate School
• Peterson's Education Center – find programs in your field
• Yahoo! – some interesting articles on grad school
• U.S News rankings – look for others, too
• Law School Admission Council
• Association of American Medical Schools
• Business School Admission Council
• Graduate Record Examination

Pre-professional School Planning

• Law School: NU’s pre-law advising program
• Medical School: NU’s pre-med advising program

Career Services Can Help You

• decide how graduate school fits into your plans
• with graduate school essays and personal statements
• with its workshops on planning for grad school and how to finance grad school – see the Calendar