By gathering information about potential programs, you can identify your priorities, understand your options, and make informed decisions about where to apply. Start your fact-finding by:
Choosing a program
Which of your professors do you have a connection with, or could build a connection with? Do any of them have teaching, research, or professional experiences that relate to what you want to study in graduate school? Professors often have suggestions or recommendations on specific schools.
The Walter Center Success Network allows you to connect with over 4,000 alumni volunteers who have joined with a specific purpose: to establish meaningful connections, share their experiences, and provide support and guidance to career seekers like you. Search the platform for alumni who hold graduate degrees you aspire to obtain, and ask them about their experiences.
If the graduate program you're interested in is similar to your undergraduate degree, the graduate students in your department will be good sources of information. Ask them about their experience!
Professional associations sometimes have directories of graduate programs in your field, but they're also a good place to find professionals to have career chats with, and ask about their grad school experiences.
JobStars USA has a directory of membership-based professional associations organized by industry. You find existing student chapters at IU by searching BeInvolved.
Contact any graduate admissions offices for schools of interest to ask specific questions and expand your research online with these resources:
Peterson's College and Scholarship Search tool features detailed information on over 4000 colleges and universities, online schools, and graduate programs. It also provides financial aid and test preparation information.
GraduateGuide is a convenient reference tool for college students to quickly locate schools offering the graduate programs they want.
GraduateSchools.com is a directory of nearly 67,000 master’s, doctorate and graduate certificate programs, searchable by subject, location, format and even school.
ImaginePhD is a free online career exploration and planning tool for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and social sciences.
Decisions, decisions
In late summer or early fall, before applications are due, it’s time to start narrowing down the list of places you may want to apply. Based on your research, determine which programs will best meet your wants and needs, including any considerations about cost, funding, and location. Here are a few questions to consider as you evaluate whether a program may be worth your effort:
- Are there faculty members whose research interests or specializations align with mine?
- Would I have access to the necessary resources and facilities to conduct my research on this campus?
- What do I know about the program and/or the university's reputation and culture, and how do I feel about them?
- In what type of environment do I prefer to live ( i.e., "rural" vs. "city")? What do I know about the culture of the place where the program is located?
- Would I be able to meet my financial needs, considering the cost of living in the area and my earnings during graduate school?
Get some grad school guidance
Meet with a career coach to personalize the process, discuss your grad school goals, and research the best programs for you.
Keep costs in mind
Most graduate programs require an application fee, which can range from $50 to $100 or more per school. If you’re applying to several programs, these costs can add up quickly! Be sure to factor application fees into your overall budget as you finalize your list.
Make an appointment with MoneySmarts at IU and use their online tools to help you plan for the financial cost of graduate school.
If cost is a concern, check to see if schools offer fee waivers—many do for students with financial need or those who have participated in certain undergraduate programs or events. Don’t hesitate to contact the admissions office for the program of interest to ask about your options.
Alumni spotlight: Adrian Land
Adrian D. Land began his scientific career as a forensic microbiologist with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. In his current role as a director at Procter & Gamble, Dr. Land supports global business operations at the interface of research and development. His achievements have garnered recognition in multiple scientific journals.