It’s considered normal for most people to go off to college once they graduate from high school. After four years (or five in my case), some are lucky to secure full-time jobs and go off into the adult world. Others choose to continue pursuing education to earn Master’s degrees and even a Doctorate. I’m one of those who decided to continue my education, and I figured it would be a walk in the park. I’ve been in undergrad for almost five years, I’ve transferred twice, and changed my major who knows how many times.
As I’ve learned over the last few weeks, this process is going to be much more difficult than I thought. So, whether you’re a first semester senior or just starting off college as a freshman, here are a few things that will definitely have you prepared in the long run if grad school is on your list of things to do!
1. Go to class!
Most graduate programs look for a minimum of at least a 3.0 GPA, but getting just the bare minimum may not be enough to get you by. Going to class is a guaranteed way to keep your GPA up. Ask questions, take notes, and make study groups within your classes! Most graduate programs, especially top-ranked ones, are going to be taking the best candidates they can, so work hard to finish with the best GPA you can!
2. Save up money!
Applying to undergrad definitely wasn’t the cheapest process, but graduate programs will definitely cost you a bit more than expected. Most of the application fees start somewhere around $75, and they can go up from there. Standardized tests are also much more than the SATs and ACTs. The GRE General Test starts at $205, and some programs may require subject tests or other standardized tests such as the MCAT or the LSAT. Between tests, applications, and mailing transcripts, applying to programs can add up pretty quickly, so start saving ahead of time!
3. Explore your options!
Graduate programs all have unique qualities that separate them from the others. Applying to top-ranked programs will give you an edge once you’ve been accepted to the school and begin to enter the workforce, but they generally require a minimum of 2 years post-baccalaureate work in the given field. Some undergrads don’t have the option to work before pursuing a Master’s degree, so it’s always nice to look into schools that may not sit in the top five but that have qualities that you’re looking for. A small student-to-faculty ratio will always guarantee more face time with professors and can lead to better relationships and possible post-graduate positions!
Take this advice from someone who wishes they’d followed these steps much earlier on! Best of luck with tests, classes, applications, resumes, and the dozens of emails exchanged in the process!