Do you have some vague plans to go back to school at some point and get some more education?
Cant go wrong with another degree, right?
This post originally appeared onThe Muse.
What Are the Requirements, and Do They Seem Interesting to Me?
First things first, are you even interested in additional studies?
Take the time to look at class descriptions and syllabi.
Do they excite you?
Or is just looking at them making you cringe?
What Exact Outcome Do I Hope to Achieve by Attending This Program?
Your undergraduate years are a great time toexplore your interests, as are your first few years of employment.
Doing a masters degree generally is not.
This will also help you gauge which program is right for you.
What Evidence Do I Have That These Outcomes Are Realistic?
Look beyond marketing materials.
Youre trying to see how likely it is for you to attain what youre being promised.
Do I Need This Degree to Do What I Want to Do?
Ask yourself if you really even need another degree to do whatever it is you want to do.
Is a masters in community health necessary to work at that nonprofit you admire?
Do you need an MBA to launch that clean tech startup youve been dreaming about?
Do your research about what the perception of graduate education is in your field.
Pop on LinkedIn and see how others have gotten where you want to go.
Understand your loan options and what financial aid is available.
Will this be enough to repay my loans?
For some, the chance to study something exciting is enough.
For others, its only worth it if theres a concrete career path at the end.
Either way, figure out what makes sense for you before applying.
