Testing the  

Graduate School

  waters may seem treacherous, but it doesn't have to be. Before you dive in, just make sure to chart your Graduate School "C" levels: career, cost, and commitment.

Graduate School "C" Level: Career
Outlining the level of career benefits you expect to gain from your education experience is a crucial first step to graduate school success. What is your intended outcome?
For some, earning a graduate degree means instant career advancement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduate school training is essential for engineering faculty positions and many research and development programs. Many engineers also obtain graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology and broaden their education.
For others, graduate school is the only way to break into a field. Psychology bachelor's degree holders can tell you that much -- anyone practicing psychology must have a master's degree or higher. On that note, find out if the graduate school you're considering offers industry internships and career placement assistance.

Graduate School "C" Level: Cost
Once you know what you want out of graduate school, you need to count the cost. Higher education, regretfully, does not come cheap. Depending on the school you choose and the length of the particular graduate degree program, you could be spending anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000. A master's degree is generally less expensive than a professional degree such as an M.D. or a J.D., but medical and legal careers tend to pay handsomely in return.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2005 American Community Survey, bachelor's degree holders earned an average of $43,954 annually, while graduate or professional degree holders pulled in $57,585. Does the size of your investment match your ultimate career reward?

Graduate School "C" Level: Commitment
Assessing your commitment level is the last, but certainly not least, part of your graduate school checklist. How much time and energy will your schooling require? Master's degrees generally take one to three years to complete, while doctoral degrees may take three to six years to complete. If you're working full time, however, you'll probably be in school a lot longer.
Beyond program length, consider its intensity. You may have a few hours in the day to devote to classes and homework, but will you have the energy to focus on the subject matter during those free hours? MBA coursework may actually help you on the job, while the rigors of medical school typically make it difficult to maintain a job on the side. Be realistic about your physical and emotional availability to meet the demands of graduate school.

Are you keeping your head above "C" level (career, cost, and commitment)? If so, get ready for graduate school!

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About the author:
http://www.collegesurfing.com/content
Gina LaGuardia is the Editor-in-Chief of The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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