Should I go to graduate school?

Students decide to go to graduate school for many reasons, not all of which are sound. Many students consider graduate school because they do not know what to do after graduation and believe that a few more years in a university setting will give them the time to figure something out. Of all the reasons to go to school, this one has to be the worst. A graduate education is a very serious, very demanding, very time consuming, and often very expensive undertaking which should not be entered into without a true commitment to the area of study. If you are confused about what do with your life, you might consider finding a job which interests you and work there until you are certain of your next step. Spending three years and $100,000 in law school to find out that you really don’t want to be a lawyer is a very expensive moment of realization.

Sometimes the reason to go to graduate school is to earn more money in your job. This strategy is only partially successful. Some graduate programs will enhance your earning potential tremendously, while others provide no real gain to your financial situation and, in fact, can be detrimental in terms of time, lost wages, and tuition dollars.

Law: To become an attorney, you will need an additional three years of education in one of the country’s 187+ ABA (American Bar Association) approved law schools. Some law schools also offer evening programs for students who need to maintain a full-time job; this course of study usually lasts four to five years.

Medicine: To become a doctor, you will need an additional four years of education at medical school, two or more years of residency at a hospital, and perhaps four to six more years to develop a specialty (e.g. neurology, ophthalmology, etc.). Careers in the allied health fields (physical therapy, psychology, speech pathology, etc.) also require additional education ranging from master’s degrees to Ph.D.s.

Business: To succeed in business DOES NOT require an MBA, contrary to popular belief, but an advanced business degree does accelerate one’s progress through the ranks of a corporation and usually results in a higher salary level. Traditional MBA programs involve two years of full-time education, but business schools are increasingly accommodating the need for part-time programs which allow you to earn a degree in three to five years of evening and weekend classes. Almost all business schools suggest that you work for two or more years before beginning a business degree.

Academic Disciplines: This category is purposefully broad since it covers college and university teaching, educational administration, research institutions, advanced engineering, the fine arts, architecture (the list continues). All of these professions require more education than can be provided at the college level, though their specific degrees are varied in length.

Many jobs within these fields, however, do not require advanced degrees and may in fact be more applicable to your interests. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I need a graduate degree to work in my field?
• Do I need to get a graduate degree now? (for example, MBA programs often require students to have work experience prior to beginning their business education)
• What I am going to gain from my graduate degree and what is the cost (time, money, stress, etc.) for me to pursue this goal?
• Am I able and willing to absorb the costs of this course of action to achieve the end goal?
• Am I truly committed to this course of study and am I able to see myself immersed in this subject?
• Am I willing to prepare myself for graduate school by fulfilling whatever requirements are necessary (extra languages, standardized tests, writing samples, practical experience, etc.) for admittance?

Talk to your academic advisor, a career counselor at the Career Center, your family, alumni, and a member of your expected profession about your plans. Ask them your questions about graduate school, share with them your concerns, solicit their advice about which program best fits your goals. The decision to go to graduate school is a serious one, and you should attempt to gather as much information about the experience as you can before you decide to apply. Take your time and talk to your advisors, family, and friends. Make this decision for the right reasons.