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Graduate School

Cornell University Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences Cornell University

College of Arts and Sciences, Liberal Arts at Cornell University

Don't try to narrow career goals too early—concentrate on a good, broad education. Try to get involved with research projects in departments; it's about the only way to get to know faculty for advice and recommendations, and the only way to know whether further education is a good decision. It increases your chances of getting in [to graduate school] by narrowing and making concrete your goals, as well as building experience.

Mathematics, Software Programmer and Analyst

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Graduate School — An Important Part of your Career Planning

How should you decide if graduate school is right for you and when you should go?

First, think about why you're considering graduate school. Are you trying to delay leaving school and entering "the real world"? Do you have a specific goal in mind? Do you want to acquire professional credentials in your field? Whether or not to attend graduate or professional school, and which degree to pursue, depends on your answers to these questions, as well as your particular field of study and the value your field places on graduate-level education.


Master's and professional degrees might give you an extra boost in the labor market and potentially increase your salary, or may even be required for some fields (see The Rewards of Education, 2007 NY Times graph of U.S. Census Bureau report). This is generally true for professional education in fields such as business, law, medicine, or policy and administration. Some of these programs, however, prefer applicants with work experience, so it may be best to wait a year or more before applying.


If your goal is a career in research or teaching, you may want to go directly to graduate school. For those in scientific fields, or for those in the humanities or social sciences who plan to pursue academic positions, you will probably need a Ph.D. Ph.D. programs can last from four to twelve years, generally averaging six in the sciences and eight in the humanities. The decision to undertake a Ph.D. program should not be taken lightly given the intense commitment required and the fact that the number of Ph.D.s produced annually in this country now far exceeds the number of academic jobs available in all fields. However, while recent Ph.D. recipients may be underemployed or employed outside their fields, few are unemployed. Many have found satisfying career paths in industry, nonprofits and the government.


Be sure to investigate opportunities in your field so that you can make an informed decision. Conduct research in our career library at G-55 Goldwin Smith Hall and talk with T.A.s and faculty in your department. If and when you decide graduate school is right for you, check out the Graduate and Professional School Application Guide for specifics on when and how to apply. 

Resources

Dianne Renwick '82, judge on the New York State Supreme Court (the highest trial court in the state), recounts her career path, including time out for pre-professional school employment.


Talk with faculty and staff in your academic department. They are often the best source of information on graduate studies in your field. Some departments also have graduate school & career information on their websites.