May be you have got a pleasant study experience in China's university and decided to choose a graduate school to continue your study in China. However, before choosing your graduate school, you may need to consider everything carefully.
May be you have got a pleasant study experience in
China's university and decided to choose a graduate school to continue your study in China. However, before choosing your
graduate school, you may need to consider everything carefully.
Is graduate school right for you? Consider your interests, goals, dreams, and abilities. Assess your skills, competencies, and weaknesses with brutal honesty. Consider the following questions:
Why do I want to go to graduate school? Is it for the right reasons?
Students choose graduate school for many reasons, including intellectual curiosity and professional advancement. Some choose graduate school because they aren't sure what to do or don't feel ready for a job. These aren't good reasons. Graduate school requires an intense commitment of time and money. If you're not sure that you're ready, then it's best to wait.
What are my career goals? Will graduate school assist me in meeting my career goals?
Some careers, such as those in medicine, dentistry, and law, require education beyond the bachelor's degree. A job as a college professor, researcher, or psychologist also requires an advanced degree. If you are interested in these subjects, then you can continue study.
What will I specialize in? What are my interests?
Whereas an
undergraduate major is a broad introduction to a given field, the majors in a graduate school are very narrow and specialized. For example, graduate school in psychology requires choosing a specialization such as experimental, clinical, counseling, developmental, social, or biological psychology. Decide early because your choice determines the programs to which you'll apply. Consider your interests. What courses did you especially like? On what topics have you written papers? Seek advice from professors about the differences among the various specialties in a given field.
Do I have the motivation for another two to seven years of school?
Graduate school is different from college because it requires a higher level of academic commitment. You must enjoy and excel at reading, writing, and analyzing information. Speak with professors and graduate students to get a better idea of what's involved in graduate study. Most first-year graduate students are overwhelmed and remark that they had no idea of what they were getting into.
Do I have the academic and personal qualities to succeed?
Generally, it is expected that students will maintain certain score during graduate school. Some programs deny funding to students with less than a certain average. Can you juggle multiple tasks, projects, and papers at once? Can you manage time effectively?