Once you've decided graduate school is the right move for you, it's time to begin looking for programs. We've already covered how important it is to seek assistance from your professors, advisors, and career coaches, but you can also start doing a little high-level research of your own:

• Petersons.com
• GraduateGuide.com
• GradSchools.com
• U.S. News and World Report ranking list
• Professional associations in your field

Some industries prefer graduates from accredited programs, so be sure to check on hiring practices in your industry before choosing a program.

It can be hard to trust your own judgment and weigh your options objectively when making big decisions. You may have used a pro-and-con list in the past—and, while this can be helpful, it doesn't tell you how positive a pro is or how negative a con is. Using a weighted decision-making matrix is the best way to make a distinction between those elements. Download our Career Planner to get a step-by-step walk-through of this process, or stop by the Walter Center to pick up your copy, which includes this decision-making activity.