What to Look For in A Graduate Program

Graduate student in purple shirt and purple glasses posing next to microscope with image of purple microorganisms on a screen in the back

Here are some general factors to consider when evaluating whether a graduate program is the right fit for you:

Reputation of the institution and the program
Faculty’s research interests and accessibility
Quality of research facilities
Career paths of the program’s graduates (look for career outcomes data, like these)
Availability of financial aid
Geographic location
Cost of living and the availability of affordable housing
Social climate and support systems in the department and within the university at large

Tools to Help Your Research

We have prepared a checklist of things to look for when evaluating graduate programs. Use it to help guide your research and decision.
Going on a campus visit? Check out a list of questions to ask.

Now that you know what to look for, here are some places to start gathering that information.