Graduate/Professional School - Factors in selecting a graduate school

1. Can you realistically get admitted?
2. How competitive is admission to the program?
3. Do you meet the admissions requirements (grade point average, test scores, course background, work experience, etc.)?
4. Does the department prefer to admit recent college graduates or applicants with work experience?
5. Does the department have a preference for full-time or part-time students?

Curriculum:

1. Does the graduate school have the curriculum you plan to pursue?
2. Does the primary emphasis of the program suit your educational goals?
3. Will the curriculum provide you with the background you desire?
4. How do the requirements of the program compare with those of other institutions?
5. How many courses/credits are required?
6. Is a foreign language required?
7. How many and what type of qualifiers (written and/or oral comprehensive exams, thesis, dissertation) are required?
8. In what length of time can you complete the program? (Typically, a Master's program can be completed in one or two years and a doctoral degree is gained after four to eight years in a graduate program.)
9. Does the program include practical experience?
10. Is part-time study an option?

1. What is the reputation of the school, department, faculty and alumni?
2. What type of reputation does the program have within the field you wish to enter after receiving your degree?
3. What do students and faculty think of the program?
4. How do alumni feel about their experience in the program?
5. Is the program accredited? By whom?

1. How many students complete the program?
2. What percentage of the graduates find employment? Does the department help with placement of their graduates?
3. What kinds of employment are most frequently pursued by graduates of the program?
4. To what extent can you use the degree from this department to get into other kinds of work?

1. How many faculty members are there? Does the department's reputation depend on one or two people?
2. What is the faculty/student ratio?
3. Is there a variety of points of view in the department or do most of the faculty follow one philosophy? What is the philosophy?
4. Are the faculty committed to teaching? Research? Service?
5. What have the faculty published lately?
6. Are the faculty well known in their field?
7. How available to students are the faculty?

1. Do you want to attend a large or small school?
2. Do you prefer large or small classes?
3. How large is the enrollment in the department?
4. In what geographical area do you want to attend school?
5. How far from your family and friends do you want to be located?
6. Do you want to be located in a city, suburban or rural area?
7. Does the community offer the social, recreational and cultural activities you enjoy?
8. Is graduate housing available?
9. How difficult is it to find off-campus housing?
10. Is there public transportation to the school from the community?

1. What is the cost of the program?
2. How much has the program cost during the last few years? Has the cost risen? Is the cost expected to rise?
3. How much financial assistance is awarded in the form of fellowships, assistantships, paid internships, loans, etc? Are these forms of assistance available in the first year? Do these extend beyond the first year?
4. Will you be granted tuition remission?
5. How much of a stipend, if any, will you receive?

Lawrence University, PO Box 599, Appleton, WI 54912 (920) 832-7000 Contact Lawrence