While in college, many students seriously consider attending graduate school. It may be to pursue an academic interest or because a graduate degree is needed for a particular career. Figuring out how and where to start can be overwhelming, however, even for the most focused of undergrads. Learn how to sort through the information so you can decide if grad. school is right for you.
- Talk to your professors. This may sound intimidating, but professors are your best bet for good grad. school information -- and recommendations, which you'll need to get in. Ask them about their experiences, where they went, and what they can tell someone (like you!) who is interested in pursuing graduate study in their field. (Intimidated by professors? Learn the basics of how to get to know your college professors.)
- Spend some time in your college career center. You can be as shy as you want to be and just flip through books as you figure things out, or you can make an appointment with a career counselor. Either way, the campus career center is a huge resource that you should start taking advantage of as soon as possible.
- Do some research online. Research both programs in general and specific programs at particular institutions. You can learn quite a bit from campus online sites, contact professors, and request more information. And if you got yourself into your college, you can probably get yourself into a pretty good grad. school, too.
- Read the US News & World Report Graduate School edition. Many people have issues with their annual rankings, but they're a good place to start if you want to begin looking at who offers what in your particular field.
- Check out the About.com Graduate School site. Alright, I know I may be a little biased, but this place is full of information about graduate schools. It's a really good resource for almost everything you need and a fantastic place for beginners to start.
