Sometimes in your college career, you must decide what you would like to do after graduation-and that includes whether or not to attend graduate school. If you wish to determine whether graduate school is right for you,  here are some pointers to help you make an enlightened decision.
1. Should I think about going to graduate school?
Graduate school entering might be a good idea if you...
• want to be a professor, lawyer, doctor, investment banker or work in any profession that requires a post-secondary education.
• wish to develop additional expertise in a particular subject or field to maximize your future earning potential and opportunities for career advancement.
• are deeply interested in a particular subject and wish to study it in-depth-and have the time and financial resources to devote to further education.
Also it might not be a good idea if you...
• are trying to delay your entry into the "real world" with real responsibilities and real bills.
• are clueless about your career goals.
• aren't prepared to devote the time and hard work needed to succeed.
• want to stay in school longer to avoid a poor job market.
2. Is it better to work first or attend graduate school immediately after completing undergraduate degree? You can work first if...
• you would like to get some real-world work experience before investing thousands of dollars in a graduate degree.
• the graduate school of your choice prefers work experience.
• you cannot afford to go to graduate school now, and you haven't applied for any scholarships, grants, fellowships and assistantships, which could pay for a great deal of your education.
You can go to graduate school if...
• you are absolutely sure you want to be a college professor, doctor, lawyer, etc., and need a graduate degree to pursue your dream job.
• you have been awarded grants, fellowships, scholarships or assistantships that will help pay for your education.
• you're concerned that once you start earning real money, you won't be able to return to the lifestyle of a "poor" student.
• your study habits and mental abilities are at their peak, and you worry whether you'll have the discipline, or motivation, to write papers and study for exams in a few years.
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