Employment Spot

Grad School Primer - Help Your Career

Welcome to the Graduate School Information Exam. Do not open your test booklets until the instructor signals it is okay to do so. Please mark your answer sheet with a No. 2 pencil, and do not make any stray marks outside the circle. You’ll have 30 minutes to complete Section One. Begin.


1. People choose to go to grad school because:
A. They want to change careers
B. They want to advance in their current careers
C. Their anticipated careers require it

All of the above. If you’re tired of your job, graduate school is the place to learn a new vocation. And for those who want more from their current careers, a graduate degree can mean a salary increase and/or promotion. (For example, a high school teacher who wants to advance to school administration probably needs a master’s or Ph.D.) Doctors and lawyers must obtain a graduate degree before day one of work. Other professionals, like social workers and psychologists, also need graduate education to obtain necessary licensing and credentials. Of course, there’s no harm in going to grad school just for the love of learning. And who knows? One day you could transform that Ph.D. in Sociology into a teaching position at another university.

2. Do people with graduate degrees earn more or less money than people with bachelor’s degrees?
More
Less

Thankfully, those extra years of school do pay off financially. Surveys show that people with a graduate degree earn 35 to 50 percent more than people with only a bachelor’s degree. And the Council of Graduate Schools reports that, not surprisingly, people with Ph.Ds earn 46 percent more than people with master’s degrees.

But there are some exceptions. Beyond College, a web site sponsored by U.S. News & World Report, states that the average monthly earnings of someone with an advanced degree in liberal arts are actually less than what the average bachelor’s degree holder makes. Bottom line: See if a graduate degree will increase your income before you begin the application process.

3. When picking a grad school, aspects to consider are:
A. Reputation
B. Size and location
C. Curriculum
D. Proximity to entertainment venues

Since grad school consumes most of your life, entertainment shouldn’t be a top priority. Reputation, however, is an issue. Most schools have a department in which they are particularly strong. Find those school for your area of study (check GraduateGuide or Graduate School Rankings) and rank them by, well, how likely you are to get in. If you apply to six schools, pick a couple dream schools, several likely schools and one or two safety schools.

School size and location is also important. If you aren’t comfortable at the school you’ve selected, your entire graduate school career could be a miserable experience. Do you like big schools or small ones? Do you prefer major cities or tiny towns? Is moving an option?

Along the same lines, a school’s curriculum can make or break your advanced education. Be sure the school offers the exact programs in which you’re interested. Also, find out if the school is teaching- or research-based. If you prefer a lecture hall to a library or lab, a research-heavy learning institution is probably not the way to go.

4. To get into grad school, you must take the following standardized tests:
A. GRE
B. GED
C. MYOB
D. ASAP

Actually, it depends on what kind of school you’re going to. Most graduate schools require their prospective students to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which is like an advanced SAT. More specialized programs usually require a different set of tests, like the LSAT for law school, MCAT for medical school and GMAT for business school. If you’re now completely intimidated, don’t be. There are tons of classes and study guides (the more inexpensive alternative) to help prepare you for those grueling Saturday morning exams. Take a practice test at the Kaplan Educational Center, or check out Amazon or Barnes and Noble for the best guide book selections.

5. True or false: Grad schools expect you or your parents to foot the entire tuition bill.
True
False

Schools may enjoy that scenario, but they certainly don’t expect it. Advanced degrees cost a pretty penny, and it’s rare that someone can shell out thousands of dollars on the spot. Help is available — you just need to know where to look. Most grad schools offer scholarships or fellowships. But if you don’t meet the qualifications, check out private scholarships or grants. You can also finance your education through assistantships, part-time employment or (ack!) more student loans. Be sure to investigate all your options (Peterson’s offers information about financial aid) — and find the ones that best suit your needs — before diving into the pool of debt.

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