Mounia
How should I prepare for grad school?
I am going into my senior year as an undergrad and am wondering how I should start preparing for grad school? What are the best ways to prepare for grad school? Should I start applying at the start of my senior year? Or should I wait until I am closer to graduation? Should I hold off on applying until I have enough volunteer experience that will be beneficial to my application? #career-path #graduate-school #college-applications #college-prep
2 answers
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Mounia,
What is your major? That makes a bit of difference sometimes.
If you do not have at least a couple years of work experience in that field, I would strongly encourage you to forego grad school at this time. Three reasons:
I work with many jobseekers who went straight from undergrad to grad, and now cannot find a job because they are underqualified for the professional positions they seek, due to their lack of work experience, and overqualified, based on education, for the lesser positions which they eventually try to get.
I've had clients who went straight through, and, after working just a few months, realized they were in the wrong line of work.
If you find the right employer now, it is possible you will qualify for tuition assistance to help you with school.
I don't know when to apply. I would check the schools' websites for requirements.
I don't mean to put a damper on your plans, however, education is very expensive and I want to make sure you are aware of the issues that I raised.
Best of luck!
Kim
Hello Kim,
My current major is social science and I'm looking to obtain my master's in counseling. I have three years experience with social services/ educational development, but wish to gain more experience in health & human services. Thank you for your advice. I believe that I should wait until I have more experience to apply to grad school. Thanks again!
Mounia
Lisa Alexander
Lisa’s Answer
Mouna, congrats on going into your senior year! Preparing for grad school would require a few key strategies: 1) Research schools that specialize in the major that you're pursuing and conduct some research to better understand success rates with job/internship placements; school reputation in it's industry and in the job market; etc. 2) Prepare a pros/cons list of each school based on your own personal needs and career goals. 3) Decide! Make a decision on a grad school and start applying in your senior year. Don't wait! 4) Speak to your guidance counselor for assistance with applying and/or contact the school you've chosen to better understand their admissions process/criteria and most importantly application deadlines (which may differ from school to school). Keep in mind that volunteer experience is always a nice positive to add to your application but not a requirement for applying to grad school.
Other key and very important points to consider when applying to grad school include 1) The cost (is it affordable and how do you intend to pay for school - grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) 2) Will you be staying on-campus/off-campus. Plan your commute options. 3) Will you be working a part-time or full-time job while pursuing grad school? Understand the work/school dynamic here and chat with a career counselor for assistance if this become too challenging to balance both work and school. 4) Completing grad school is not a race; ensure that it's a manageable and workable path for you!
Good luck!