ICYMI: Exploring Graduate School with CCE

Understanding your reasons for pursuing an advanced degree and what you’re seeking from a program will help you make an informed, confident decision.

Key Questions to Get You Started

Ask yourself questions like:

• What do I want to study? What type of degree would I like to pursue (e.g., MS, MA, JD, MSW, PhD, MBA)? 
• How will this degree help me advance towards my career and life goals? Is it necessary for the work I would like to do? Who can I ask for insight on whether graduate school is necessary for that field?
• Should I gain work experience first, either in order to clarify my interest in the program or to build experience toward my candidacy?
• How long will it take? 
• How much will it cost and how will I cover these costs?

Now, reflect: Why do I want to go to graduate school? How will it help me work toward my career goals?

Tips for Researching Programs

When researching programs:

• Consult with mentors in your field(s) of interest such as faculty, graduate students, and even supervisors at relevant research experiences, internships, or jobs. 
• Consider attending events like info sessions and graduate school fairs to connect with your programs of interest. Many of these are offered online!
• Learn about schools via program websites, course directories, faculty or lab websites, and LinkedIn profiles of current students or program alumni. 

Key Questions When Researching Programs

• What do required coursework and electives look like? Is experiential learning (internship/fieldwork) required?
• What research is going on in this department? Can you identify faculty members you’d like to work with?
• What funding resources are available for this program? (e.g., grants, fellowships, teaching or research assistantships)
• What skills will you develop after completing this program and how can you market them in the workforce?
• Does this program have a diverse faculty and student population? Is it an inclusive environment?
• Does the location of this program give you access to certain industries? Could you see yourself living in this location for the duration of your studies?

While this list isn’t exhaustive, it can be a great starting point in your research. You can see a longer list of research questions here.

Now, reflect: What are the factors most important to me as I research graduate programs?

Plan Ahead to Explore

Your planning for graduate school starts long before you actually apply—and it’s normal for this planning to be a mix of organic exploration and strategic preparation. 

In other words, even before you know for sure that you want to pursue a graduate degree, and in what, you may take courses, get involved in activities, or build experience that will help you explore and hone in on your field of interest.

For instance:

• Getting involved in research or doing a senior thesis, which might connect with doing a PhD
• Joining a pre-professional club like Columbia Women’s Business Society, as a maybe future MBA
• If you’re considering law school, taking research and writing–intensive courses and talking to practicing attorneys to learn what law school and being a lawyer are really like

Now, reflect: What have I done so far in my graduate school exploration process? What questions do I still have? How could I find answers to these questions?

During your time at Columbia, we also encourage you to get to know faculty—and help them get to know you. This will help you learn more about current research and approaches in your areas of interest.

Building these relationships will also, crucially, help you secure letters of recommendation from faculty who know you well.

Plan Ahead to Apply

When you have a clearer sense that you’d like to go to graduate school, you’ll also work backward from your intended application date to ensure that you have all of your materials ready to go.

Remember that some parts of your application may require more preparation or work:

• Some graduate admissions exams, like the LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT, require a great deal of studying, so it’s important to build in plenty of time to prepare. If you take these exams the summer or semester before you plan to apply, you may also have time to retake them if necessary.
• Writing graduate school essays usually takes multiple drafts and rounds of revision. Starting to brainstorm, outline, and draft early can ensure that you have sufficient time to reflect, take breaks and gain critical distance, and get feedback from advisors and mentors.
• Just like you, your professors get very busy during the second half of the semester. Be sure to start the conversation early about letters of recommendation and then give professors at least 1 month to write yours.

For a more detailed timeline, check out our online timeline resource.

You don’t have to plan for graduate school on your own.

• CCE: Career counselors can meet with you to help you think through factors to consider, learn how to research programs, and give generalist feedback on your materials, like essays, resumes, or CVs.
• URF: Undergraduate Research and Fellowships host many educational programs to learn about graduate fellowship opportunities and applications. URF advisors can meet with you 1-1 about your fellowship plans or applications. As a GS student, you can also meet with the GS Fellowships office.
• Faculty and PIs: Mentors in your field of interest are a crucial source of support, and will be delighted that you’re interested in pursuing advanced study in their field. You can visit professors in office hours or set up 1-1 meetings with your research mentors to discuss your interest in graduate school, seek discipline-specific tips, find recommenders, and even get feedback on your materials.

Now, reflect: Who’s on your graduate school team?