UP Career Center

Graduate School: How to Choose the Right Program

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| By Cristina Scalzo |

So you have decided that graduate school is right for you. But now what?

Finding and choosing the right program can be challenging. In some ways, the steps are a lot like finding a job. There are a multitude of schools and programs out there and finding the right one for you takes time, thought, and advice.

If you know that Commencement won't be the end of your academic road, be sure to research your graduate school options.
If you know that Commencement won’t be the end of your academic road, be sure to thoroughly research your graduate school options.

Here are some great ways to explore the options out there:

  • Books/ Reference Materials: A simple place to start is right here- at the Career Center. We have several books in our library covering different aspects of graduate school. Some of these books include rankings of recommended schools by degree program, reviews of programs, and even helpful articles to help you decide what degree is right for you.
  • Advisor/ Faculty: Talking to faculty and your advisor is doubly beneficial. First, they are experts in their fields. You need at least a master’s degree to teach at the college level, so professors can give you advice from personal experience. If they do not know about a school or program first hand, they may even be able to connect you with a different faculty who has experience with your schools of interest. Secondly, starting up conversations about grad school can set you up well for asking for a recommendation letter down the road.
  • Admission Representatives: Getting in touch with admission representatives at your graduate school of interest is a great way to get a head start in making a personal connection while receiving beneficial information for yourself. These connections could help to set you apart from other applicants by showing your early interest in the school and program.
  • Current Graduate Students: There is no better resource for advice than someone currently going through the program. Their first-hand experience will be extremely helpful when you are deciding if that school’s graduate program is the right experience for you. The Career Center can help you find ways of reaching out to current graduate students for advice.

Choosing a program can be a daunting task, but we are here to help. For more support on where to begin, make an appointment with us by calling (503) 943-7201.