Graduate School: Researching Programs

Making the decision to pursue graduate school is not one to take lightly. You may want to ask yourself, “Why do I want to go to graduate school?” The answer to this question should be centered on: 

  • an interest and passion for the area of study
  • pursuing the specific career you’re interested in requires additional education
  • you are prepared to give the time, energy, and resources to this process and the graduate program you choose

As you consider graduate school or are ready to start applying, these steps can help guide you through the process.

Research
The first step is to explore the schools and programs available in your area of interest. Gather information on the web and when possible request information in hard copy from your programs of interest. Performing this research will help you narrow your search. It is important to choose schools you feel would be a good fit and those that offer the exact program you’re seeking.

Websites to Research Graduate and Professional Schools: Petersons.com, Gradschools.com, ThePrincetonReview.com, StartClass.com

Determine what you want in a program or school. Some of the information on your list of what to research may include:

  • Program 
  • Program type (online, in-person, blended)
  • School type and size
  • Location
  • Financial assistance
  • Assistantship (research, teaching or job focused) and/or fellowship opportunities
  • Faculty and course offerings

Begin collecting this information on each school by going to the university and department website. Find specific areas connected to the program you can learn more about including labs, sub-departmental areas, student/professional organizations to join, and more to see help you create a more complete picture of the program’s offerings. Next, visit the faculty sections. Once you have read about their background and credentials, perform additional research to discover their areas of expertise and read some of their publications or research. This will not only assist in choosing a program based, it could also aid in writing your personal statement. Finally, reach out or ask to be connected with current students to learn more about their experience in the program. 

As you conduct your research, we encourage you to create a document to help you track the information you are learning. Use this “Graduate School Information Tracker” as a start.