{"id":816,"date":"2019-08-13T14:51:16","date_gmt":"2019-08-13T18:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/offices\/career-connections-center\/?page_id=816"},"modified":"2026-03-16T15:42:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T19:42:30","slug":"graduate-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/offices\/career-connections-center\/get-ready\/graduate-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate School"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are a variety of reasons to pursue graduate or professional school; it offers new challenges, an opportunity to focus on a specific area of study, and the chance to develop your career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To pick the best graduate program for your needs, consider first your long-term career goals. What would you like to be doing five or ten years from now? Then, consider how a degree or credential will help you attain those goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To explore your career options, see our Explore Careers<\/a> page or make an appointment with your career adviser<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding (and Choosing) a Program<\/summary>\n

Here are four ways to find the right graduate program for you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Consider Clark\u2019s\u00a0Accelerated B.A.\/Master\u2019s Program<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0Clark\u2019s ADP may be the right choice for you. Learn more on their site and look for the on-campus information sessions every spring.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Search online guides.<\/strong> Peterson\u2019s<\/a> and U.S. News and World Report<\/a> offer large databases of U.S. graduate programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Ask people in your network for suggestions.<\/strong> Ask your faculty, Clark alumni on ClarkCONNECT<\/a> or LinkedIn, or others you know in your chosen field what graduate programs they recommend.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Attend a conference in your chosen field.<\/strong> At professional conferences, you can ask older professionals what programs they recommend and talk to graduate program reps in the exhibit hall. Many professional conferences have student rates and scholarships; ask your faculty for conference recommendations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Additional considerations:  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Focus the program, not the school.<\/strong> Picking an undergraduate college or university is often about choosing an entire school and everything it offers (size, location, degrees offered, culture, etc.). By contrast, picking a graduate program is much more about picking a specific program within a university that offers the faculty, research priorities, and facilities that match your interests. Once you identify a shortlist of programs that match your research interests, consider other factors like location, climate, campus culture, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Don\u2019t do it alone.<\/strong> You\u2019ll have the best chance for success if you have a network of support for the search and application process. This may include friends, family, and alumni in your chosen field; Clark faculty; staff in the Career Connections Center, Writing Center, or Prestigious Fellowships Office; and others.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

    Process Overview and Timeline<\/summary>\n

    Application Cycle <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Many deadlines fall between January and March, but some programs have rolling admission. Read each school\u2019s information and plan accordingly! You may have a slight advantage if you apply at least a month before the deadline. Know the requirements well ahead of time and try to prepare your application 6 months to a year in advance.  <\/p>\n\n\n\nDownload our application timeline here<\/a>\n\n\n\n

    For law school and medical school applications, follow the timelines given by the Clark Pre-Health<\/a> and Pre-Law<\/a> programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Materials You Will Need:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n