Must-Have Resources If You’re Thinking About Graduate School
Be clear on why you want to attend graduate school
There are a variety of reasons to attend graduate school. In our graduate school information center, we have a ton of articles to help you think through them:
- Bad reasons to go to grad school: Consider these red flags in your decision
- Lists some important points to think about if you’re unsure that grad school is for you
- Good reasons to go to grad school
- Examines the benefits of graduate study and how it can help you achieve your goals
- Are you ready for the lifestyle changes?
- Gives an overview of the impact that grad school can have on your current lifestyle
- Benefits for a U.S. national in getting a graduate degree abroad
- Focuses on the many rewards for U.S. students of studying in another country.
- Degree overview
- You’ll find insights on everything from common curricula to the skills you can obtain and the careers you can expect to pursue after your studies.
Think early about student loans and financial aid
Even if you haven’t made a decision about attending graduate school, it’s never too early to start thinking about student loans and financial aid. Here are some resources on how to pay for a graduate degree:
- Understanding financial aid and advice on how to work with the financial aid office
- Offers tips on financial aid for before, during, and after the application process
- Graduate school loan strategy
- Explains how to handle your educational loans—before, during, and after school
- Navigating student loan options
- Introduces you to the variety of loans that can help you afford grad school
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income-Based Repayment
- Explains the nuts and bolts of the legislation that offers income-based repayment options and public service loan forgiveness
- The scholarship search
- Offers an overview of scholarships, how to find them, and tips on applying
Reach out to people in your field
Nothing beats conversations with people who have gone to grad school or who work in an area you’d like to pursue. Here are some articles, stories, and conversations to explore:
by Allison Jones