Have you ever shopped for an apartment or house? It can be an overwhelming process, attending open houses, setting a budget, applying for a mortgage.

Finding a graduate program can be a similar process since there are a lot of great programs out there. Here are 8 steps to get you started:

• Take notes after each phone call or campus visit to keep your mind fresh. What did you like, what didn’t you like about each school or program?

• Make a chart or excel spreadsheet with the information about each school, this can help you compare programs that have different requirements.

• Graduate schools will offer open houses and information sessions to wine and dine you and show you what they have to offer. Attend these events, see the campus, meet the faculty and staff. Make sure you get the “right feel” before applying.
• Make a pros/cons list based on the open houses you’ve attended. This will help you narrow down what you do and don’t want in a prospective school.
  

• Graduate schools will have fairs to give you the opportunity to speak to students and representatives about programs, the application process, get literature, and meet with other area schools.

• There are things you won’t compromise: schedule of classes, length of the program, cost of attendance. Make your list before starting your search to help narrow down what programs suit your needs.

• Consider that you may go into a school with one vision of what you want to major in and based on what you hear or conversations you have with other people you may end up with a completely different vision.
• Don’t pigeon hole yourself by only looking at schools with one particular major of interest. Broaden your scope and take everything into consideration.

• Take into consideration how much you want to spend on your graduate degree and when looking at schools consider what you’ll get in return for how much you’re spending.
• Don’t just consider an expensive Ivy League school because you think it looks good on a resume. Think about what is most economical for you and what will give you the best return on your investment. Keep reminding yourself that getting in is one aspect, you still need to pay for it and succeed at the program. If finances are not a worry it will make completing your degree a more pleasurable experience.

• Completing the FAFSA is the first step in financing your education. When looking into loans make sure you check out all institutions and don't stop until you shop for the best rate.
• Do your research...look into all financial aid options, scholarships and other programs that may be available to you as a graduate student to lessen the bottom line. 

Remember this can be an overwhelming process but if you’ve taken the right steps from the beginning and done all your research it should prove to be one of the best decisions you will have made in your lifetime!

Learn more at our October 23 Graduate Education Fair
in Hammond Main Lounge 1 - 4 pm.