How do you determine what is the best graduate school for you?

Answer 1

Here are some basic steps, all of which are essential:

1) Identify scholars in your field whose work (METHOD and/or AREA of specialization) you admire. Google their names, and find out where they teach, and whether their university has a graduate program. If not, FIND OUT WHERE they did their graduate study. <--------- (This step is SO important.)

2) Speak to your current professors, especially those in your field of study whose METHODOLOGIES and/or AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION you find congenial. Ask them which grad programs they'd recommend for you.

3) Research graduate schools. Barron's publishes reference guides for every field, identifying every graduate program in that field. It is COMPLETELY worth the investment to buy those guides, but if you simply cannot, the academic advising office at your university, or your university's library, should carry up-to-date versions of these guides.

3) Using the advice of your professors, your knowledge of where the top scholars in your area studied, and the appropriate Barron's guide, narrow down your options to five or so schools. Visit the websites of these schools, and find as much information as you can about their graduate programs in your area of study. Get all the answers to your basic questions here.

4) Contact the DIRECTORS OF GRADUATE STUDY (not the department chairs) at these schools. Email inquiries are best, but telephone calls are fine. Apprise them of your interest, and after introducing yourself and familiarizing them with your particular area of interest, ask if you might correspond with them and/or speak to them about some other questions you have. In your next email or telephone appointment, ask these questions:

Are campus visits encouraged? (Some programs can even help you defray the cost of your visit, but don't ask this question outright. The graduate director will tell you if funds are available.)
What are the particular resources this program has pertaining to your specific area of scholarly interest?
Do most students complete the program?
Of those that do, what do these students do afterwards?
Is there strong mentoring of students by the faculty in the program?
Are there language requirements?
Is the thesis (or portfolio, depending on the program) requirement integrated into the program? How?
Are most students who are accepted into the program supported? Does this support include full tuition remission? Is there a stipend?
Are stipends only given to teaching or research assistants?
Is there a separate method to apply for an assistantship?
Can non-funded students serve as teaching or research assistants?

If you follow these steps to the letter, you should be able to narrow down your choices to those four or five grad schools, and you should have all the information you need to begin application.

I promise that this is the best darn advice you could possibly receive.

Best wishes!

Answer 2

Graduate school depends on what you need. If you are a rocket scientist and can get your way paid, then look for the school that specializes in the field you are interested in. Example, if you are a med student and want to be a researcher then pick a school that is known for medical research. If you are an educator and want a degree on parent participation then find out which school most of the research (dissertations) on parent participation actually come from.

Now if you are not a rocket scientist and have to pay your own way, then you will want to research department heads. The department head has to be part of your orals so you want someone who you feel comfortable with. In large cities you have more than one choice but in smaller ones you have to move to get a choice. Sit down and talk with that department head and be sure that person does not think your plan is dumb. No they will not tell you that but if they suggest you change completely then you best go somewhere else (unless they are right about your choice).

If you are picking from different schools in different parts of the country, then phone interview with the dept. head.

Answer 3

I determined the best graduate school for me by 3 ways:
1.) I made sure that the graduate program by a particular school is accredited by my state.
2.) Checking out a school's ranking on US news.com:America's Best Graduate schools for 2007.
3.) Word of mouth from graduate students.

Answer 4

It depends on what graduate program you might be interested in as different schools specialize in different programs. Other factors to consider would be cost, location, and reputation. I would recommend looking at several schools depending on your program and ask questions, visit if possible, and research their scholastic ranking.

Answer 5

I work in higher education as an admissions recruiter. The #1 piece of advice is this:

The world is your oyster, what are the benefits and features you need for you to succeed in your graduate program. www.keller.edu

Answer 6

all of the above, then narrow the list to ten. Sort them through narrowing to what 5 are definite interests, and what 3 you WILL visit.
MAKE SURE you take a trip to the three campuses on the list so you can have best luck narrowing to one. THEN APPLY AT THREE.

Answer 7

First determine what you can afford. Then research what schools are are ranked highest for your budget (Business week ranks business schools). Then see which one fits your criteria for a "good" school.

Answer 8

once you determine what your major is , then you pick a grad school based on :
1) your major in relation to the school, ie.. do they offer what your future employer/ or certification requires. for ex. art therapy certification
2)Income /vs cost
3)location/housing offered
4)employment opportunitys while attending
5)internships offered
6)corse selection offered
7)job opportuniy for graduates
8) rules of school co op etc..