How to Decide Where to Apply for Graduate School
With so many advanced degree options, it can be difficult to narrow down your list of potential schools and choose the ones that are actually the best fit. Here are some tips to get you started.
By Debby C.
Posted March 6, 2025
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So, you’ve decided to apply to graduate school. A difficult decision most applicants face is trimming down the list of potential schools to the ones that are most right for you; those that align with your academic interests and career goals. It’s important to take into account both what the applicant is looking for from a graduate program as well as what the program offers.
In addition to an applicant’s personal motivations, other factors like ranking, geographic location, and cost of attendance can also sway the decision. Below are several of the most important things to consider when creating and finalizing your list of schools to apply for.
Important Factors to Consider
Ranking
US graduate school rankings are done at the department level. Many organizations, like the US News & World Report, produce both university and department rankings and you’ll want to understand how these evaluations take place. In other words, rankings should be unbiased and reflect actual data provided by the universities and/or government agencies. Be skeptical of rankings where universities are promoted or shown as top-ranked with no data to support the claim. This is often a marketing tactic where schools have paid to promote their programs. Reputable sources for graduate school rankings include organizations such as the US News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes (among many others).
Accreditation
Another factor to consider is the programs’ accreditation. Accreditation ensures that the program’s curriculum prepares graduates for employment or research in a specific field of study. When a program is accredited, a recognized regional/national agency has evaluated and vetted the curriculum. For example, ABET is a certified organization that accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.
Most schools will have accreditation information on their website in their “About” section or at the bottom of their landing web page. Since all accrediting agencies must be recognized by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, you can search these websites to ensure the programs and schools you’re considering meet accreditation standards.
Geographic Location
Most graduate programs last for at least a year, if not quite a bit longer. For that reason, the school’s location should be factored into the decision. Do you want to attend a graduate program in a specific country, state, or city? Do you prefer a campus in an urban or suburban area? Do you want to be close to family or a current/prospective employer? Use these questions to guide your list, but, how highly location is prioritized will depend on personal circumstances.
Format
Nowadays, there are many more types of programs available. If you want to get an advanced degree while also working full-time, that’s now possible with part-time programs. If you can’t move to a new city, online programs will allow you to still attend classes. Maybe you are looking for programs that provide synchronous or asynchronous classes. If these circumstances are applicable to you, additional research will be required to figure out which hybrid, online, or part-time programs are the best fit for you.
Size of School, Department, and Cohort
For some people, the size of the program is a priority. How important is it to you that you get close and frequent contact with instructors? Class sizes affect interactions with both professors and students, and may affect how you feel you’ll learn in a given environment. Sizes of cohorts will also give you an indication of the competitiveness of the program. Smaller cohorts are typically more sought after and as such, are more competitive.
Funding
Tuition is usually one of the most significant factors for people considering graduate school. Look at the tuition schedules for public and private schools that you’re interested in to get a more comprehensive view of the cost of attendance. Tuition is often much more affordable at in-state schools than out-of-state.
And, although out-of-pocket costs are an important consideration in school selection, you also want to ensure that the program will provide value for the money you spend there. In other words, what is the quality of teaching and research at the schools you’re applying to? What is the graduation rate, how many graduates find employment in their field of study, and what are the average post-graduation compensation levels? Most graduate programs have this information readily available online.
How Many Schools Should You Apply To?
The students I have worked with typically apply to an average of eight master’s programs. If you’re applying to doctoral programs, you should cast a wider net and consider applying to at least ten schools given the competitive nature of these programs. Keep in mind that each school will have its own application portal and application fee.
Final Note
If you’d like support while creating your list of schools to apply for, reach out to me. We’ll work together to evaluate your personal and professional aspirations, review the options, and find the ones that are the best fit for you. Book a free intro call on my profile to get started.
Written by Debby
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With ten years of experience in graduate admissions at Stanford University's School of Engineering and School of Education, I can provide valuable insight into the application and review process. I am here to address your concerns and answer your questions about applying to graduate school. Since 2013, I have worked as a professional graduate admission consultant, specializing in helping students navigate the application process for programs in the United States, Canada, and many other countries worldwide. My travels have allowed me to connect with prospective students and their families, giving me a deeper understanding of the diverse cultural expectations surrounding advanced degrees. I coach to share my knowledge and experience with students globally, not to "game" the system, but to assist applicants in presenting the most accurate and compelling representation of their qualifications to admissions committees. My coaching services offer honest and personalized support as you prepare to apply to graduate school. I have specific expertise in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and education. I do not screen clients based on their academic records; in fact, I excel in working with individuals who may lack confidence in their potential for graduate studies. Everyone has a unique story to tell, and my mission is to help you showcase your strengths, even if you don’t yet recognize them. One of my greatest strengths is to help clients envision what is possible and collaborate with them to turn their dreams into reality. My past client results include (for a complete list of my admissions results, click here: https://www.wisegradadmissions.com/results) STANFORD UNIVERSITY Civil & Environmental Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Management Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering International Education Policy Learning, Design & Technology Policy, Organization & Leadership HARVARD UNIVERSITY Data Science Education Leadership. Organization & Entrepreneurship Human Development & Education Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology Prevention Science & Practice UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering Education & Psychology Behavioral Economics Counseling & Mental Health Services Human Development International Education Development Learning Sciences and Technologies Social Psychology WHARTON MBA (joint program with Computer Engineering Management Technology) CORNELL UNIVERSITY Electrical & Computer engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Operations Research & Information Engineering Statistics Agricultural Economics Food Science Financial Mathematics Management JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Applied Physics Computer Science Electrical & Computer Engineering Robotics Mental Health Counseling Public Health & Epidemiology Public Policy, Global Affairs & International Relations Financial Mathematics COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Management Science & Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Operations Research Agricultural Economics Biostatistics Statistics Financial Mathematics Applied Behavior Analysis Counseling Psychology Developmental Psychology Instructional Technology & Media International Comparative Education International Studies MSW School Psychology UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MBA Public Policy/Global Affairs MSW Psychology GEORGETOWN Public Policy/Global Affairs Asian Studies NYU Computer Science Data Science Electrical Engineering Financial Engineering Biostatistics Food Studies Physics Behavioral Economics Counseling Human Development & Social Interaction MSW UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Aero/Astro Engineering Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Biostatistics Survey Methodology Financial Mathematics Public Policy & International Studies Japanese Studies MSW CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electric and Computer Engineering Environmental Engineering HCI Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Statistical Practice Computational Finance UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Computer Science Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering Applied Physics Biostatistics Education/Psychology Learning Sciences and Human Development MSW
Debby has helped clients get into organizations like:
Harvard University
Stanford University
University of Pennsylvania
Duke University
Cornell University
