Tips for Graduate Studies

Students often consider further education after their undergraduate studies, whether that is graduate school (MA, MSc, MEd), a professional program (Teacher Education, MBA), or a college post-diploma program (intensive college programs designed for university graduates).

Here are some questions you should ask yourself when considering graduate studies:

• What are my career goals? 
• Are you interested in Master’s or doctoral studies? 
• Do you need to take prerequisite exams (e.g. GRE - Graduate Record Examinations, GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test)?
• What academic accommodations will you need, including prerequisite exams, classrooms, labs and/or practicum?
• Are you interested enough in the subject to stay with it? 
• Do you have the energy and commitment to work hard for as long as it takes? 
• Can you find the money to pay tuition, books and living expenses? 
• Can you handle the pressure? 
• Can you go without working full-time in order to be a student? 
• What do you want your life to be like a few years after completing the degree?

Here are some questions you can ask about choosing a graduate program:

• What is the reputation of the program? 
• What are the course/thesis requirements to earn my degree?
• Is there a practicum or internship? 
• How long will it take? 
• Can I afford it? What are the possibilities for financial aid? 
• Do I have the prerequisites for the program? 
• What are my chances of being accepted? 
• What are my chances of getting the job I want after I graduate?

Visit your disability services counsellor for help in developing a useful timeline, and visit the career centre at your university for useful resources.

Check out:
Your Future: A Guide for Potential Graduate Students is an excellent publication from the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies.

Adapted from:
www.gradschools.com/info/handbook