Consider work before grad school
to your education. “As far as the type of work a potential applicant should look for, the bottom line is how well that experience will enable you to add value to the classroom experience and contribute to group assignments,” said Bruce Bachenheimer, clinical professor of management at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business in New York.
5. Do you need the financial boost? A major factor to consider is whether you’re financially able to go straight to graduate school post-college. Create a spreadsheet that includes the various expenses associated with the program, such as the school itself, housing, meals, transportation and some disposable income. Chances are you’ll need to work while you’re at school anyway, but for some, getting a financial head start will help ease the transition.
6. Are you ready to go back to school? After going to school for 16 years straight, it’s understandable if you need a break before putting your learning cap on again. You shouldn’t feel guilty for taking some time off from sitting through long lectures or cramming for exams. Also, consider that graduate school will likely be different from your experience as an undergrad. While high-school graduates attending college typically go straight to get their undergraduate degree, people attend graduate school at all different ages and experience levels. While you might be zero to a few years out of school, your classmates might be10 to 20 years older than you.
So if you think spending some time in the “real world” will help you better prepare for the graduate-school lifestyle, take all the time you need.