Searching for Graduate Schools
Do you need help finding the right program? Utilize the resources below to search for graduate schools and programs based on location, career field, tuition, and a variety of other factors.
General Graduate School Search
Petersons Guide to Graduate Schools - search by subject or location, and review Petersons' abundant collection of graduate school resources
GraduateGuide.com - program and university search based on a variety of locations, programs, or keywords
GradSchools.com - online directory of local and international graduate schools
Best Graduate Schools 2012 - as ranked by USNews and World Report. This site also has useful articles and tools to aid in the graduate school search.
The Princeton Review - find information on all things grad school, including articles, tools, and program search
GradView.com - search graduate programs from across the country. Be sure to choose "Show all Results" after you click "Search."
Medical School
Association of American Medical Colleges - search, sort, and compare medical programs
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine - explore opportunities for D.O. programs
American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine - discover programs in podiatric medicine
Law School
LSAC's ABA Approved Law Schools - search for law schools by choosing from a variety of criteria
Association of American Law Schools - lists AALS member schools
Evaluating Graduate Schools
Here are some guidelines to use when evaluating whether the school is right for you:
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements usually are your GPA, work experience, classes, test scores, etc. You may find it helpful to categorize your choice schools according to three tiers: Reach – it may be difficult for you to get in; Maybe – it is possible you could get in; Safe – you are confident you can get in.
Curriculum
Look at the courses of the program. Do they meet your needs and suit your educational and professional goals? Is a thesis or final exam required? Is there practical experience or an internship included? How long is the program? Programs can vary in credit hours from one school to another. |
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Reputation/Quality
What is the reputation of the school in general and what is the reputation of the program within the field? Is the program accredited, and if so, by whom? Placement: How many of the graduates find employment in their field and does the department assist students with this process? What kinds of employment do students find?
Faculty
What is the student/faculty ratio? Are the faculty members accessible to the student? Are the faculty members committed to teaching, research or both? If you are attending graduate school for research in a specific discipline, it is important to identify a faculty member who has research interests similar to your own to have as a mentor.
Location/Size
In what geographic area would you like to attend school? Do you need to be close to family and/or friends? Would you like the school to be in an urban or rural setting? How available is housing?
Cost/Financial Aid
What is the cost of the program? How much financial assistance is available in the form of assistantships, loans and fellowships?
Culture of Graduate Department
Some departments are small, tight communities. Others are impersonal and comprised of mostly commuter students. Visit your graduate programs to determine if they are compatible not only with your learning styles but also with your social needs. Don't overlook the opportunity to contact student organizations to speak with students currently enrolled in your program.
| Are You Ready? |
| Don't be caught unprepared as you develop your post-graduation plans. Take advantage of the programs and services offered to students. And take a look at the CPRC calendar for an up-to-date list of all upcoming events. |