Deciding whether to go to graduate school is a huge decision for any undergraduate student approaching graduation and getting ready to step out into the real world for the first time. It’s a huge financial, personal and time commitment to undertake, and it’s something that requires a lot of thought before diving into. As someone who is currently exploring her post-graduate options, I know that it can be overwhelming trying to pick a school, program and location to commit to for the next several years.
Graduate school is where someone can pursue higher education after finishing their four-year bachelor’s degree. This could be a master’s degree, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master’s Business Administration (MBA), medical school MD and more. Each degree is specialized for whatever the student is studying, and they all usually take between one to three years to complete. Depending on the program, some grad students teach classes, participate in research and gain valuable knowledge in advanced classes. The pros and cons are numerous and I’ve found that they are worth exploring for myself.
There are a lot of good reasons to go to grad school. Some people want to go simply because they thrive in an academic setting and love the joy of learning. Other people decide to get another degree because they want to progress in their careers, or because they think it will help them earn a better salary. Some employers seek out applicants with extra degrees because it shows that they have more extensive knowledge and commitment to the field.
Having these higher degrees can lead to better, higher-paying jobs, but it’s not necessarily a given. I’ve found that most jobs I would be vying for don’t require any extra school past a four-year degree. Personally, I know that getting a post-graduate degree will make me more competitive in any of the career fields I’m currently considering, and that’s enough of a reason for me to pursue several more years of school.
I also have a lot of worries that come with graduate school. First off, it’s highly competitive, and getting in can be a struggle, especially when applying to very limited and niche programs. Most can only take a certain number of people, and this competition can scare a lot of potential students off. It can also be incredibly stressful. Scholarships are limited, and grad school programs are very pricey. I know that I could always take out student loans, but it would leave me with huge debts post-grad.
Besides the financial constraints, it would be hard for me to find time to work and make money with the time requirements of the workload. Some people go to grad school to avoid entering the workforce, or to make their parents happy, both of which are problems that I know going to grad school won’t solve. I sometimes have a hard time reaching outside my comfort zone, and it can be hard to jump into the real world after spending so much time as a student in an academic setting.
In the end, going to graduate school is a personal choice. There are a lot of things to consider, and it’s ultimately a decision I will have to make for myself. I still have a couple more years to figure out exactly what I want to do, but at least I’ll have a solid foundation and all the information available to me when I get serious about applying. And to anyone who is currently applying to graduate programs. Good luck!
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