This question is one of the many important decisions you will have to make in a lifetime. You should not take this lightly. Many students decide to go to graduate school for many reasons – some of which might not be the right reasons.

Some students choose to go to graduate school for advancement and growth within an area of study or field.

Others choose to go to graduate school because they are not sure what they want to do after graduation or feel it is simply the next step after graduation.

Some fields require you to have an advanced degree while others do not. Graduate school is a major investment of your time, money, and your future. You want to make sure that you absolutely want to go to graduate school and that you are absolutely ready for it.

Common mistakes

Many people believe graduate school is a guarantee of higher pay and advanced job titles. This may not necessarily be true and if you decide not to stay with that area of concentration you can be hindering your marketability.

Graduate School Do’s and Don’ts

Where do I start?

When considering going to graduate school, you should assess your skills, values and interests as a starting point. The Starr Career Development Center provides a wide range of services that can assist you in this decision process. Meet with your Graduate School Advisor who can guide you each step of the way.

Certain areas you might consider when deciding to go graduate school include:

• What graduate program am I interested in? (Business, Law, Medical, Arts & Sciences)
• Graduate School Exams
• Application timelines
• Applying to graduate school
• School rankings
• FT vs. PT programs
• Career information
• Events and programs for graduate school

If you are interested in applying to law school, the Starr Career Development Center is happy to announce the launch of the Max Berger Pre Law Program. The decision to attend law school is a major decision that should be carefully considered. Although being a lawyer confers prestige and often high pay, it is a competitive field that requires much discipline and hard work.