Going to Graduate School - Part 1 of 2

  If one of the reasons you originally went to college was to be able to secure a higher paying job than your peers who went straight to work after high school, you'd be a fool not to go on to graduate school! Statistically, individuals who have earned their Masters degrees are paid far more than those who ended their schooling after completing traditional undergraduate studies. While the disparity ranges greatly from career to career, those who complete graduate school generally go on to earn about 20% more on average than those who do not. But if you really only went to college because you weren't quite sure yet what to do with your life and now you've acquired a better idea, graduate school probably isn't for you. Post-college study serves as an answer for those who want to further their knowledge, climb their own ladders, and earn substantially more than they would if they didn't take this next step. But CollegeSeniors.Net advises strongly against "using" graduate school as just another way to spend time figuring out what you want to do with your life. If you're just not ready to face the world yet, speak to a career guidance counselor-- don't subject yourself to two more years of academic learning for only a half-hearted reason! 

    In many ways, preparing for graduate school is much like preparing for college all over again. There are applications to fill out, fees to pay, and usually admissions essays to write. You'll visit open houses, calculate tuition costs, and make important decisions about your chosen emphasis. But arriving at graduate school isn't really that much different than your last days of college. Realistically, the transition experienced by students going from the undergraduate to the graduate level is just not as significant as the transition experienced when first going from high school into college. Sure, the courses are often a bit more intellectual and more is usually expected-- but most graduate students have already left home, taken on full-time jobs, and experienced the 'college environment' which really doesn't change much while in pursuit of your Masters degree. In fact, a surprising number of students pursue their graduate degrees at the same school where they earned their Bachelor's degrees! Use the "next" button below to read more!...