Graduate School - things to consider first

DO I REALLY WANT TO GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL? This is a question you can only answer for yourself, but you need to put a good amount of soul searching into answering it.

Going to graduate school for biology is a stepping stone for becoming specialized in one area of this vast discipline. It is your opportunity to develop your own pivotal research questions, hone your critical thinking, laboratory/field, and quantitative skills, meet amazing people, and begin a career. That being said, it isn’t for everyone.

Good reasons to consider graduate school:

1. I enjoy research (molecular, ecology, or another field) and think I could do research and/or teach biology for a long time.

2. I am a life long learner who enjoys a challenge and being surrounded by others who share that same sentiment.

3. I am a collaborator - a person who wants to work with other biologists to ask and answer important questions that will advance our understanding of the natural world.

4. I require additional training to achieve my final final career goal as a researcher at a major university, non-profit organization, government agency, or private company, a policy maker, or a teacher (like me!).

Having no job lined up or being unsure what you want to do with life are not great reasons for taking on graduate school in my opinion.

Graduate school takes at least two years (for a Masters Program) and up to 7 yrs for a Ph.D. Along the way you will face a roller coaster of proud moments and mental and emotional challenges, so you have to have your heart in the right place to persevere. Consider your realistic job prospects after getting your advanced degree and the potential for additional financial debt. Many programs offer stipends, so pay close attention to what financial options are available!

Another important thing to consider is the question, Am I qualified?

Graduate schools have different entrance requirements (so pay attention to the programs that interest you), but generally speaking you need a 3.0, and GRE scores above 1000. However, it is becoming more challenging to get into graduate school because of funding issues.

Here are additional things that will help 1) strong letters of recommendation so get to know your professors, 2) undergraduate research experience (hey YCP students - you are in luck because each of you gets that vital experience, so take advantage and do a great senior thesis!), 3) enthusiasm for research, challenging work and learning and the ability to persist in challenging situations.