How To Evaluate Different Schools

When you were a junior or senior in high school, you probably spent months trying to decide which school you wanted to attend. You probably focused on all the pros and cons of each school, visited each program, and tried to make connections among the faculty, staff, and students. If you remember this process, then welcome to "Evaluating Grad Schools." If you don't, you're about to get a crash course.

Reputation

A school doesn't have to be Ivy League in order to have a good reputation. Even relatively inexpensive schools can have a great reputation, particularly for a specific program. As much as we hate to admit it sometimes, the reputation of a school and program can affect what people think of you and how much they value your degree. Find out what people in your community think about your potential schools.

Tuition

The cost of school is important, unless of course your employer is willing to pay for the entire cost of your education no questions asked. Since this is not usually the case, let's talk a little about tuition. It's always cheaper to go to school in-state than out-of-state, though online schools have started to blur this line a bit. Consider the tuition and talk to your employer before shelling out application fees.

Location

How far from your home is the school? If you are going to have to drive an hour each way, chances are that you will despise going to school. Try to choose a school nearby or an online university so that you can cut down on driving time and costs (an especially important factor if gas prices remain high).

Student Body

What is the student body like at your school? Are they all students right out of undergraduate programs or are they all local business owners or employees? A good mixture of both tends to be best as those right out of college still remember how school works while local members of the business community provide valuable contacts for the rest of the students in their program. Seriously consider how the student body and the connection you may, or may not, make will affect your career and your future opportunities in your local business world.

Specific Program

The most important factor when you are evaluating a school is looking at the specific program you will be joining. Although a school's reputation may not be great, a specific program may be known nationwide for its high-quality curriculum and graduates. The trend can go the opposite way as well. Never assume that since a school has a good reputation that a specific program will also have a great reputation. Remember you will be part of the program not just part of the school.

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