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STEP 4: Decide Where to Apply
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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