Summary of Strategies for Choosing a Graduate School:

• Define interests
• Talk to faculty
• Research schools
• Call or write graduate programs for brochures and applications

Tips on Choosing a Graduate School:

• You need to decide what you want to do because graduate school is the time when you develop yourself as a scholar.
• If you are seriously considering working with a faculty member, review some of their current work to make sure that their focus is what you think it is. Also, request a phone or personal interview to discuss their work and/or current research interests.
• Make sure your intentions are clear when you contact the faculty member.

• Be conscious of deadlines. Most outside fellowships have deadlines in early December, while University deadlines range from late December to March.
• Manage your time wisely. This process can be arduous and very time consuming. The suggestions presented here will save you time, and make the process of applying to graduate school a little easier.
• Keep all materials that indicate financial transactions (check stubs, money orders, receipts, etc.)
• Be courteous on the phone, since you never know who is on the other line.
• Remember, many departmental secretaries or administrative assistants practically run their departments! They are generally a wealth of information!