Should I Go to Grad School?

When to Consider Other Options

Going to grad school is not something you have to do right after college. You can always come back to it later. Here are three reasons to say “no” to grad school:

1. You can achieve the same goals by other means.
   Many professionals move up the career ladder without advanced degrees. Others earn graduate degrees and don’t see the career benefits they had hoped for. Before investing the time and money that graduate school requires, consider whether training classes, certificate programs, or even switching jobs can provide the boost you’re looking for.
2. You’re not sure of your next step in life.
   The path to an advanced degree can be long, expensive, and demanding. By some estimates, as many as one-third of all students who enter graduate school drop out. Before you go, make sure this is truly the path you want to pursue.
3. You will finish your degree with high debt and few job prospects.
   Managing a student debt load of $50,000, $100,000, or more while earning an average salary is a scary prospect. While federal student loans offer repayment plans that can ease the payment burden, working in a field other than the one you sacrificed so much time and money for can be very dissatisfying.