There are two good reasons for going to graduate or professional school: because you love a certain subject OR because an advanced degree is a necessary means to an end - you need a Ph.D. to teach at a college, or, for example, you'd like to practice law or medicine. However, some people apply to graduate and professional schools for the wrong reasons.
Think twice if your primary reason for applying to graduate or professional school includes any of the following:
"I won't get a job with just a B.A."
On the contrary, about 80 percent of each Smith graduating class goes to work within six months of graduation. Essentially, every Smith graduate who wants to work after graduation will find a job.
"All Smith women go to graduate or professional school."
More than 20 percent of each graduating class goes directly on to some kind of further education or training. However, many women who begin working immediately after graduation do undertake further study or training later.
"I'll earn more with a graduate degree."
That depends on whether you're thinking about short- or long-term income potential. In some fields, people with advanced degrees do earn more, but while they are earning their degrees they may have no income and may be assuming debts. On the other hand, someone who begins work soon after graduation earns wages immediately and may have smaller educational debts if she later decides to continue her studies. If she does decide to go on to graduate school, her direct experience in the field is likely to help her choose her training more carefully and wisely.
"I don't know what else to do."
Unlike undergraduate school, where you can choose courses in many fields and take them in a structured environment, graduate study is focused, self-directed, and specialized. Graduate departments assume that their students will have individually developed academic goals. For anyone lacking that focus, graduate study is a waste of time and money. In addition, some professional schools - including many business schools and some social work and clinical psychology programs - prefer applicants who have already demonstrated a commitment to and an interest in the field by working in it for a year or more after college.
Do Your Homework
You need help deciding when to begin graduate work, now or later, how to choose a school, when to take tests, and how to pay for your schooling. These decisions require a great deal of thought, because the commitments of time, energy, and finances are considerable. Click on one of the buttons below to find some great links that will help you gather information you'll need to make these decisions.
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- Links & directories of graduate programs
- Comprehensive resource of graduate schools and programs.
- Guide to Graduate School where you can take a free full-length GRE Computer Adaptive Test online.
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- Schools, careers & advice
- Information on law school, bar exams and more
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- Tools to help you prepare for the GMAT
- Information on everything from deciding if an MBA is for you to paying off business school loans.
- Guide to Business School where you can take a free full-length GMAT Computer Adaptive Test online.
Interested in careers in the health professions?
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- Post baccalaureate pe-medical programs by state
- Loan Repayment, forgiveness and scholarship programs
- Guide to Medical School where you can take a free full-length MCAT online.
- Association of Schools of Public Health
- Association of American Veterinary Medical College
- Veterinary Medical College Application Service
- Lists Pre-Vet requirements for specific schools
- Dental Education Programs
(AANMC) - The organization of support for all accredited schools offering the degree of Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine
(NCNM)
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- One-year Junior Fellows Program.
- Study-abroad Programs for college students
- A fee-free educational service coordinated by students for students. Comprehensive guide to successful academic achievement
- Internet's leading scholarship search service
(TERI) - Free assistance with planning and paying for college
- Under certain circumstances, the federal government will cancel all or part of an educational loan. Visit this link to find out if you qualify for loan forgiveness.
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- College and graduate school planning, test prep, financial aid and career advancement
- Test prep, school research and more.
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