| There are almost an unlimited number of criteria that | | | | purchasing something, especially major purchases like |
| you can consider when choosing a graduate school. | | | | a graduate school education. You should consider |
| The important thing is to consider the criteria that | | | | how much it is going to cost you to live and attend |
| are most important to you personally when making | | | | classes at each of your school choices. You should |
| your choice. Listed here you will find some criteria | | | | also consider what type of financial aid assistance |
| that you should take into consideration when you are | | | | each school offers. If you can obtain a full scholarship |
| choosing your graduate school. While everything that | | | | at one school, but only get student loans at another |
| you should consider may not be listed here, it should | | | | one of your choices, then you may have to take this |
| be enough to start you thinking. | | | | into consideration before making your final decision. |
| Location: Just like when you are buying a piece of | | | | Courses of Study/Degrees: If a college or university |
| real estate or choosing your undergraduate school, | | | | doesn't offer the curriculum or degree that you want |
| location is probably one of the most prominent | | | | to study, then that college should be immediately |
| criteria that should be considered. When you are | | | | eliminated from your choice options. Find out which |
| attending grad school, you will not only be attending | | | | colleges offer the degree and major you are looking |
| classes, but you will also be living and working in that | | | | for and then start narrowing down your school |
| community for at least a few years. You should | | | | choices, based on other criteria, from there. |
| choose a location that you feel comfortable with. | | | | Size & Type of Institution: While some colleges are |
| You may want to consider options that are close to | | | | small and intimate others are huge and more |
| your family and friends. You may want to consider a | | | | impersonal. Depending on what type of class size you |
| school in an area where you would like start or | | | | feel is the best environment for you to learn may |
| continue your career after graduation. Since you | | | | affect your decision on graduate school choices. |
| network and meet a lot of business contacts during | | | | Some institutions are private, some are public and |
| grad school, it may be beneficial to attend a school | | | | some are religious or Jesuit schools. If you have |
| where your connections may land you a job after | | | | preferences on class size, the size of the student |
| graduation. | | | | population, or the type of school that you attend, |
| Job Placement: You should take some time to | | | | then this is one of the criteria that should be |
| research the job placement or career services that | | | | considered as well. |
| the school offers. Since one of the reasons you are | | | | So there are several different items that you will |
| probably earning your degree is either for career | | | | want to take into consideration when you are |
| advancement or to open up doors for new | | | | choosing a graduate school. You should narrow down |
| opportunities, you will want to know what type of | | | | the colleges that fit your criteria and then research |
| help you can expect from your school after | | | | them further until you find one where you feel the |
| graduation. Many grad schools list the companies | | | | most comfortable. Campus visits and tours are great |
| where their graduates work. This kind of information | | | | ways to find your comfort level with a particular |
| can also give you an idea of what opportunities may | | | | school. If you feel like you fit there and you feel like |
| be available to you as a graduate of this particular | | | | you could live there for the next few years, then |
| institution. | | | | chances are you have found your graduate school. |
| Cost & Financial Aid: Cost is always a factor in | | | | |