Once you have narrowed down your list to 10 to 20 accredited
institutions that offer your field of study and any relevant
specializations, you will need to compare the objective data among
these institutions. Do not rely solely on rankings or ratings of
institutions to do this; there is more to choosing the right
department than choosing the most well-known or selective
university. For any particular discipline there will be at least
five or six schools that have excellent reputations. Keep in mind
that a department's reputation relies heavily on the reputation of
its faculty. Sometimes it is more important to study under a
particular person than it is to study at a university with a
prestigious name. Remember too that assistantships and fellowships
are often based on the right "match" between student and faculty
research interests. Good advance research can help you find the
schools whose departments and faculty meet your academic and
professional goals, and it may enhance your chances for obtaining
financial assistance.
Make a comparison chart listing the differences among universities
with respect to:
- research programs and facilities, including libraries and
computer facilities;
- size of department (students and faculty) and size of
institution;
- qualifications of the faculty;
- accreditation of the institution and, if applicable, the
department or program;
- course and thesis requirements;
- length of time required to complete the degree;
- academic admission requirements, including required test
scores (see "Testing" for further information), degrees, and
undergraduate grade average required;
- cost of tuition, fees, books, etc.;
- availability of financial assistance (see Financial Aid for
further information);
- location, housing options, campus setting, climate, and cost
of living;
- international student services and other needed services
available on campus.
Eliminate those institutions that you cannot afford and that do not
offer financial aid for which you qualify, that do not meet your
individual needs, or that have admissions requirements that do not
match your qualifications. Narrow your choices to those that meet
your personal and professional needs, that you can afford to attend,
and for which you are qualified for admission. Develop a final short
list of four to seven institutions to which you plan to apply. See
"Preparing Successful Applications," for further guidelines. |
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