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Questions to Ask as You Consider Grad Programs
Below are questions to help you choose a grad program that will be a good fit for you. Some are questions you’ll ask and answer easily yourself, some you’ll need to research, and some you’ll need to ask of grad program staff or students.
First, ask yourself this essential question: Why am I interested in graduate school?
Weak answers:
- I want to take a break from a tough job market.
- I want to figure out a new career path or find career direction. (There are cheaper ways to do that.)
- I don’t know what else to do and my parents think it’s a good idea.
Strong answers:
- I’m genuinely interested in my field and passionate about pursuing new knowledge and expertise in a very specific area.
- My career goals require a graduate degree.
- I have the resources needed (time, academic record, money, energy) to be successful in a graduate program.
Getting Started:
Before you select a graduate program, research your options. Start with Web resources and printed information from schools and departments that interest you. After you’ve done initial research, narrow down the programs that interest you, then contact faculty or students to ask questions. (You can usually ask the admissions office or program faculty to put you in touch with students enrolled in the program.) Faculty or admissions staff can also help you plan a visit to the campus. Arrange to visit classes and labs if possible, and to meet faculty and students.
When you ask questions about grad schools, be open to different viewpoints, and listen for common themes that come up. Take notes. If you arrange a program visit, prepare questions you’d like to have answered while you’re there.
What and Who to Ask
Questions about Admissions:
(ask admissions office and/or faculty)
- By when should I apply and what additional admissions deadlines should I be aware of?
- What is the undergraduate GPA range and preference for this program (sometimes referred to as the middle 50%)?
- Is an entrance exam required? If so, what is the preferred test score? (for standardized tests like the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT)
- What percentage of students who applied last year were admitted?
- What factors most impact acceptance into this program?
- What previous experience/knowledge (if any) is preferred for this program?
Questions about the Program:
(ask faculty)
- Are there pre-requisite courses I need to complete before I start this program?
- What are the degree requirements? How many required and elective classes are there?
- How long do students typically take to complete this program?
- What areas of concentration are available?
- What percentage of students complete the entire graduate program?
- How does the department evaluate student progress?
- What kind of thesis and examinations are required?
- What practical experience are students expected to complete?
- What professional development opportunities exist for students?
- What kind of licensure/certification will I be eligible for after completing the program?
- What support is provided to help students fulfill experiential components of the program?
- What kind of job-search support is provided by faculty?
More questions for program faculty:
- What is most important to you in an advisee?
- When and how is an advisor selected? How difficult is it to switch advisors once you’re into your program?
- How many full- and part-time faculty members teach in this department?
- What diversity exists within the faculty?
- What experience have the faculty had outside of the academic world?
- What opportunities exist to work with faculty on their research? On my own research?
Questions for students enrolled in the program:
- How available is your advisor?
- How would you characterize the departmental culture?
- What is the actual time commitment for a teaching assistant or research assistant position?
- Is the stipend provided by departmental support enough to live on?
- How do students interact with each other inside and outside the classroom?
- What are some of the politics or current issues within the department?
- What diversity exists within the student body?
- How much support do student receive in developing their own approach to the field?
- Do students present their work at professional conferences?
Questions about finances and resources:
- How available are teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships? (Ask faculty or enrolled students.)
- What resources are made available for students, such as graduate student housing, medical insurance, child care, fitness, etc? (Ask the admissions office or enrolled students.)
- Are students guaranteed funding throughout their time or is it awarded on a yearly basis? (Ask faculty.)
(created 9/07)
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