When searching for a post graduate degree, it is important to first decide what is most important to you. Map your priorities and your goal that you wish to achieve, and see how the course/institution will help you take a step towards it.
Every student is different, and it is important to think about your own primary reasons to pursue a graduate degree away from home. These reasons may change over time, but they will help guide your program search.
- The field of study in which you wish to pursue a post- graduate degree?
- Is there a subcategory in this field or a special topic of interest to you?
- What will be your next degree level in the United States? If any
- List any research or professional experience that you would like your graduate program faculty to have:
- After you finish this degree what type of job or employment do you plan to seek? For example, doctor, engineer, social worker, teacher, etc. Map how this degree will help you.
- What skills do you want to improve while you pursue your higher education?
- How will studying the course help you improve these skills?
- The previously earned degrees at a college or university.
- Specialized training/certification
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
Consider the Entry requirement of the course. Most post-Graduate degrees have a prerequisite of a bachelor’s degree.
- Are you pursuing the degree in the same field as your bachelor’s degree or are you changing your field? If you are planning to change your field, do you know the prerequisites?
- Do you have the required the professional work experience
- Related field
- Non-related field
You need to find what work experience, if any, will be required prior to beginning your graduate program.
- What is the cost involved. Consider the following avenues:
- Tuition
- Living Costs
- Entertainment
- Travel
- How do you plan to fund your education
- Own
- Parents
- Scholarships
- Loans
- Assistance
- What is you Budget and what funds that are available to you?
Chose a university that would fit into your budget, keeping in mind that the funds available to you has to cover the Living and Accommodation cost besides the Tuition Fees.
Put the university in the bracket according to their tuition fee and see what bracket suits you the best. - What Financial Aid’s are available to students? The aid depends upon the Country, University and even the subject. Look for all the options available.Does your country provide any Financial Aid or Sponsorship?
Are there any trusts or organization that would consider you eligible for their scholarships?
Are there any trusts or organization that would consider you eligible for their scholarships?
As you begin to narrow down your choices, you should think about
- Which type of program would best fit your needs as a graduate student? Different countries have different choices offered to students. Degree as well as certified courses is available. Consider your options.
- Your past academic performance and the availability of funds will play an important role in the decision.
- The performance on the required Entry tests or the Standardized Admission tests.
- The size of the college or the University campus. The percentage of the International Student at the Institution will also be an important factor.
- Is it a public or a private institution? in different countries , the state and the government has different rules for the institutions. Check the status of the institute before you decide.
- Different countries offer different culture and tradition as well as climatic environment. It is best that you ensure that the country that you chose has culture and climatic condition that you can accept and deal with and also be sure that the culture of the country will accept you.
- The location and the economic setting of the region are all important factor. Do you wish to study in an urban city or countryside? The cost of living and the convenience varies at different settings. You should decide what setting would suit you best.
- The Housing and the accommodation is an integral part of making your stay comfortable. Decide what sort of accommodation you want. Would you want to live on campus or a private accommodation off campus? The choice will depend on your needs and also circumstances such as whether your family/spouse plans to stay with you. Accommodation that caters to all these needs are available in most countries and institutions. Ensure that you take time to find the accommodation that suits you the best.
- The campus life that you are looking forward to and the facilities that you expect on campus will also influence your choice. Map your requirements such as sports facilities, library, religious facility etc and match them with the available facilities.
As student find answers to all the questions and queries that have been mentioned and you will find that it will help you find answers. Often some answers are difficult to find and need some research, so collect information in accordance. For each student the importance of different questions have different weight for different students, it is for you to decide what matters to you and what does not. However, you should find out all the answers so that you are WELL INFORMED and can TAKE A DECISION.
