The first thing to take into consideration, is that there is no secret formula or “right” way to choose a graduate school. There are simply too many factors at hand. Some of the most common might be current financial situation, the ability to commute or work remotely, your career interest(s), and of course, the availability of a program. Because of the many details needing attention, it may be a good idea to start with a list, making note of your needs and wants from your graduate experience. How to start that list? Let’s begin with a few tips from our own experts in the Office of Graduate Programs at the University of Michigan-Flint.
What are the costs?
All graduate programs come with a price tag. Not just the cost of the program, but of materials, travel to campus, housing, technology needed, and one of the most important costs, your time! How long will the program take you to complete? Are you planning on being a full-time student, going part-time, or balancing your studies with work and family? These are important things to consider.
Most programs will list some, if not all of the costs through their website. A good example of this is the graduate tuition page through UM-Flint’s website. You can find per credit hour costs for in-state and out-of-state students, as well as a breakdown by program area, which will come in handy when comparing institutions.
Another area you want to focus on is availability of financial aid. Do the schools you’re looking at offer scholarships, loans, research assistantships, fellowships, grants, or any other financial assistance to graduate students? A key piece to getting the costs figured out is speaking with a school’s financial aid office and getting your FAFSA filled out as early as possible (usually opens on October 1 of every year). Planning these details ahead will save you loads of stress ahead of starting your program.
Is my program offered?
This seems like an obvious one, right? But that isn’t always the case. While there are some fields such as nursing, physical therapy, or engineering that are fairly direct tracks into a career field, there are others that are not so linear in nature.
Take business for example. Sure, you can go the traditional MBA route, and that covers a very broad area in terms of business. But what if you want to focus a little more in a particular area of business such as marketing, accounting, or even economics, as they all play an important role in business operations? There are graduate schools that offer very specific tracks into these areas, and so starting with a career objective might be the best way to decide on your specific track. For those that are still uncertain, then a more general approach may be the best way to go.
Speaking with a trained graduate advisor or faculty member is one of the best ways to get questions answered directly related to the program you’re most interested in. Many faculty are available to answer questions via email, but we suggest reaching out to a graduate department first if the option is available.
Will a graduate degree help my career?
One of the top questions on everyone’s mind when considering a graduate degree, and a good one at that. Craig Gomolka, Business Programs Recruiter for the School of Management at UM-Flint weighs in on some questions you should ask yourself:
- Will the classes in the degree allow you to apply what you’re learning in your current position?
- What types of students are currently in the program?
- Is there a diverse population to network with?
- Are other students in the program on a similar career path?
- Have past students seen an increase in their salaries?
“These are all great questions to ask when considering a graduate degree”, says Gomolka. It’s important to note that you may not find the answers to every one of these questions at every institution, but most reputable schools will be able to provide some or all of the information upon request. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it covers what we think are some of the best questions to ask your potential graduate school.
A degree that fits your lifestyle
Because we’re all on different educational and career paths, it’s important to take a look at how a graduate program will fit into your current lifestyle. You shouldn’t necessarily have to force other things out in order to make room for graduate school. With the increasing flexibility of programs to be delivered in multiple formats, it’s often possible to work that 9-5 job, take care of the family, and still go to school full-time!
Now, we didn’t say it would be easy, but absolutely possible. When looking at potential graduate schools, consider the way you learn best and what fits with your schedule. Do you like to learn online? Are you the type of student that likes to sit in a physical classroom? Or maybe you would prefer a mix of the two and spend time at home or at school when it fits best around other responsibilities.
Many programs today have flexible options, so once you’ve honed in on your program, you can start narrowing down options based on format. Most institutions list these options clearly on their websites, but if you don’t see your preferred method, it’s always best to reach out to a central admissions office to confirm.
Remember, searching for a graduate school is different for everyone. You can find plenty of advice on ways to go about the process. But at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is that the decision you make fits with your personal situation, lifestyle, and goals. Take the time to talk to those that have gone through it already. This could be family members, former professors, friends, or anyone else you might trust for answers. If you’re still wondering about other things to consider when it comes to graduate school, you can also contact the Office of Graduate Programs at UM-Flint. We’re here to answer questions Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. Have a great day and good luck on your graduate school search!
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