DECIDING TO GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL

Deciding whether or not Graduate School is the right choice for you can be a very difficult decision. There are many things to consider when making this choice including:

Grades - Are your grades strong?

• Most schools look for and require applicants to have a 3.0 or better GPA
• The type and level of courses you have taken may be considered (for example a B in a 300 level Psychology course will be worth more than an A in tennis)

GRE

• This standardized test is required for many graduate schools
• It gives schools an idea of how you rank among your peers
• Some school require additional testing

Other Strengths

• Have you had internships or research experience?
• Are you able to get at least 3 solid letters of recommendation?
• Writing a strong application essay and having a good interview will help to increase you chances of being accepted and will give you an opportunity to explain any flaws in your transcript or resume

Do you have the ideal characteristics for a Grad School student?

• Responsible
• Eager to learn
• Highly motivated
• Able to work independently
• Able to take and follow directions
• Able to take constructive criticism
• Motivation

Graduate school is a lot tougher than undergrad school. Having at least some of these qualities will make the process a little easier. If you are planning on completing Grad school, you are planning to commit yourself to another 2 to 7 years of schooling with a heavy workload and where you usually have to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

When considering the graduate school route you should also consider whether you know what field you really want to pursue. Since grad school is for a specialized field you have to make a choice of what career you want to pursue. Before devoting your time and money to grad school you should make sure the field you are choosing is the right one for you.

The sources used for this submission were:

Kuter, T. (2005). Should you go to Graduate School? Retrieved November 18, 2005 from http://gradschool.about.com/cs/shouldyougo/a/should.htm.

Morgan, B., L. and Korschgen, A., J. (2001), Majoring in Psych: Career Options for Psychology Undergraduates.