Most people decide on a graduate school by finding the ratings of the top
programs in their field. This is not detrimental in and of itself, unless,
it is all you do. If you pick only the top rated schools as your targets,
you have let someone else decide what is best for you. Judging the quality
of an academic department is not easy. Ranking lists tend to use criteria
such as: attainments of faculty, quality of instruction, work and success
of students, and administrative policy toward teaching and research. Judgments
based on criteria such as these can be subjective. Reputations last longer
than are sometimes deserved. It is necessary for you to determine what
is important to you and then attempt to gather your own information on
the quality of the program.
Things to Consider when choosing a graduate school
- Publications
and/or Research: What are the
department's recent publications? Do these topics match with
your interests?
- Faculty:
Are there enough senior members to allow you contact with them? If the
top faculty members left, would the program still be worthwhile? How diverse
is the faculty? Is their approach to their discipline single minded?
- Degrees
Awarded: How many PhD or masters are awarded each year? How long does it take to
complete a degree?
- Student/Faculty
Ratio: Are there enough faculty members to give you the amount of supervision
and stimulation necessary for quality performance? Or will teaching assistants
be your primary contact?
- Finances: Are there internships, assistantships, fellowships, loan programs,
etc., available in sufficient number to allow for the financing of your
education?
- Quality
of Program: Quality of education programs vary widely. There are some ratings available.
Some have questioned their accuracy, but it is possible to obtain some
idea of the respectability of programs. See: The Gourman Report: A Rating
of Graduate and Professional Programs in American and International Universities.
- Geography: Do you want to live in the community where the school is located? Remember,
you will need more than intellectual stimulation during graduate school;
social life will be important.
- Size:
Is the size of the institution, of which your school is probably
only a part, compatible with your needs and desires?
- Admission
Preferences: Where do their graduate students come from: have they had work experience?
What are the undergraduate backgrounds?
- Women/Minority/International
Students: Is there a healthy mix of students from all backgrounds? Are all students
afforded equal opportunity for teaching and research assistantships?
- Opportunities:
Will this program contribute to the expansion of career possibilities for
you? What are recent graduates of the program doing now? Does the school
provide career counseling assistance?
- Work
Experience: Are internships, assistantships, or part-time jobs available which will
enable you to gain experience in your chosen field while pursuing your
degree?
- Flexibility:
If you change your mind about your career goal, does this program contain
material/skills which can be transferred to other areas of interest?
- Stress: How competitive is the academic program? Are you prepared to handle the
stress that is often associated with top-flight graduate programs?
Next step: Applying
to Graduate School