Advice
Is Graduate School Right for You?
Deciding whether to go to grad school involves more than asking, "Can I get into the program?"
I love connecting with prospective students during admissions consultations. These one-on-one, 30-minute meetings cover our programs and the admissions process, but they often move past requirements and deadlines to a more personal question: "Is graduate school right for me?" Only you can answer that. My job is to give you the information you need to answer it with confidence.
Here are the questions I'd start with:
- Why do I want to pursue graduate school now?
Start with your long-term goals. Does your desired career path require an advanced degree? If you're changing careers, will this degree bridge the gap? What can you get from this program that you can't get anywhere else, including a professional network that advances your career?
Getting clear on your motivations doesn't just help you decide. It strengthens your application. Admissions offices want to understand your drive and how you plan to use graduate school to get there, and that clarity shows up in your essays. It also helps you walk into the program itself with purpose, ready to make the most of everything it offers. - Do I have the time to commit right now?
Life doesn't pause when you start graduate school, and your professional and personal responsibilities won't disappear. Graduate school is intense, but that intensity is also what makes it valuable: you'll build discipline, sharpen your focus, and grow in ways that pay off long after you graduate. Be honest about your capacity to balance new academic demands with the life you already have. - How will I pay for this program?
Financial planning is the step people overlook most, and it's the one that matters most. Before you apply, know each program's costs and map out your funding options: savings, federal or private loans, employer assistance, scholarships, and external funding sources.
Talk to the admissions or financial aid team directly. They can walk you through what scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are actually available, what you need to qualify, and the deadlines tied to each one. Scholarship deadlines are often earlier in the cycle, so getting this information early can make the difference between missing out and being ready to apply. Working this out now makes it far easier to evaluate your offer when it arrives. - If I don't go now, what will I do instead, and does that get me closer to my goal?
There's no right or wrong answer here. You might decide to build more experience, save money, or get clearer on your industry focus first. But if graduate school is where you ultimately want to end up, waiting only makes sense if the wait is actively building toward that goal. Whether you enroll now or wait, the question is the same: does this next step move you closer to where you want to be, or further away?
The Bottom Line
Earning a graduate degree takes time, money, and commitment. Think critically about your specific situation before deciding if this is the right step. Working through these questions won't hand you the answer, but it will help you move forward with confidence, whatever you decide. If you're still unsure, make an appointment with an admissions counselor. We're here to help you figure out if graduate school is the right next step for your goals!
Topics:AdmissionsFinancial AidFAQs