Choosing a Grad School

Finding Graduate Programs: Choosing the Right Field & Program Fit

Once you’ve decided that graduate study is the right next step, your biggest task becomes choosing the right field, program, and institution. This page helps you reflect, research, and evaluate options so you can build a shortlist you’re confident about.

Before You Apply: Two Decisions That Matter Most

A. Decide what field or specialisation you want to pursue

Not just “policy” or “psychology,” but:

which subfield and the questions or problems you want to explore
whether you want applied training, research training, or a mix

B. Decide which programmes best fit your goals

Not just rankings or university names, but:

programme content, structure, and the outcomes they lead to
how well each option aligns with your goals and direction

Considering a PhD or Doctoral Program?

PhD decisions work differently from most Master’s programs. Your primary focus should be research fit, supervisor alignment, and funding, not just coursework or university reputation.

How to Choose the Right Program

A. Academic & Career Alignment

Your program should help you move toward the future you want. Ask yourself:

What specific questions, issues, or skills do I want to explore?
What types of roles do I want after graduation?
Does this program actually prepare people for those roles?

Always go beyond the title. Example: A Master’s in Development Studies at one university might emphasize econometrics and quantitative policy; another might focus on ethnographic research or fieldwork.

For PhD applicants: What kind of a researcher do I want to become? Does this program prepare students for academic, industry, or policy research careers?

B. Program Focus & Curriculum

Dig into the actual content - this is where most students discover deal-breakers or great fits. Explore:

Core and elective courses
Faculty expertise and research areas
Opportunities for thesis, capstone, or applied projects
Labs, research centers, or special tracks
Balance between theory and applied learning
Class size and cohort profile

For PhD programs, also evaluate:

Structure of the PhD (coursework vs research-heavy)
Expectations around publications
Time to degree and completion rates
Opportunities to collaborate across labs or departments

C. Post-Graduation Outcomes

A strong program helps you get where you want to go. Look for:
Where graduates work or study next (particularly international students)
Whether internships or placements are built into the program
Strength of alumni networks
Access to employers, research placements, or field experiences
Employer partnerships the university’s career services office has

For PhDs: Look closely at where graduates place 5–10 years after graduation (tenure-track, industry research, policy, NGOs), not just first jobs.

D. Funding & Financial Feasibility

Grad school is an investment and so you should evaluate funding realistically. Check:

Availability of scholarships, fellowships, or teaching/research assistantships
Whether funding is guaranteed or competitive
Total cost of attendance (tuition + living costs)
Cost of living in the city/country
Expected earnings after the degree

For more tips on managing scholarships and funding, check out this page.

For PhD applicants: Funding is not optional. You should clearly understand:

Whether funding is guaranteed for the full duration
What it includes (stipend, tuition, health insurance)
Teaching or research obligations
Whether funding is contingent on supervisor grants

Be cautious about PhD offers without clear, multi-year funding.

E. Location, Context & Learning Environment

Context matters not just for learning but for your network and quality of life, and so you should consider:

Visa rules and post-study work options
Ability to work part-time or gain experience during the degree
Academic culture (collaborative vs. competitive; faculty accessibility)
Safety, mental health support, and student wellbeing
Cultural/community fit

AI can help you scan options faster, compare programs, and spot questions you should research further. Use it like a research assistant—not a decision-maker—and always verify details on official program websites.

Use AI to Support Your Program Search

What does a strong prompt include?

The best prompts include:

Degree type: Master’s / PhD / professional
Specialization: not just “policy” or “psychology,” but a subfield (e.g., “trauma-informed practice”)
Training style: research vs applied, thesis vs capstone, quant vs qualitative
Location constraints: countries/regions (if relevant)
Career direction: the roles you’re aiming for (even if tentative)

Add your context for better results: Your LUMS program/major, relevant projects/research, internships/work experience, and any constraints (budget, timeline, test requirements).

Copy/Paste Prompt Templates

1. Generate a shortlist

Suggest Master’s programs in [FIELD] with a focus on [SPECIALIZATION]. Prioritize programs that offer [APPLIED/RESEARCH] training, include [THESIS/CAPSTONE/INTERNSHIP], and are strong for careers in [TARGET ROLES]. Limit to [COUNTRIES/REGION] if possible. For each, summarize key courses, typical outcomes, and what makes the program distinctive.

2. Compare two programs (fit-first)

Compare [PROGRAM A] and [PROGRAM B] on: curriculum focus, quant vs qualitative training, thesis/capstone requirements, faculty/research strengths, internship/placement support, and typical graduate outcomes. Then recommend which is a better fit for someone with [YOUR BACKGROUND] aiming for [YOUR GOAL].

3. Find programs with a specific feature

Find programs in [FIELD] that include [FEATURE] (e.g., fieldwork in South Asia, clinical practicum, industry labs). For each program, describe what the feature actually involves, how common it is, and what kinds of careers it supports.

4. Turn a program page into a decision summary

Here is the program webpage text: [PASTE]. Summarize:

who this program is for,
what skills it builds,
key requirements,
career outcomes,
red flags or missing info I should verify.

5. Prompts for PhD Applicants

Identify PhD programs where faculty work on [RESEARCH TOPIC]. Prioritize programs with strong advising records and funded PhD positions.
Compare PhD supervision models and funding structures at [UNIVERSITY A] and [UNIVERSITY B].
What questions should I ask a potential PhD supervisor before applying?

After You Get Results: Use These Follow-Ups

“What questions should I ask an alumnus/current student to verify my fit?”
“What evidence would strengthen my application for this program?”
“What are the dealbreakers I should check before applying (funding, prerequisites, supervision, placements)?”

Verify Before You Decide

AI can miss or outdated details. Always confirm:

curriculum and graduation requirements
faculty availability/supervision (especially for research programs)
funding and true cost of attendance
visa and work rules (if studying abroad)

Take Your Findings Forward

Add programs to your Program Shortlisting Sheet
Speak to LUMS alumni (via CSO channels) to validate fit and outcomes
Book a CSO advising appointment to refine your shortlist and next steps

Shortlist Programs: Safety, Target and Reach Options

A strong application strategy includes a balanced mix of programs - not just your dream options. This improves your chances of admission and helps you make a confident final choice.

Reach Programs: Programs where admission is competitive for your profile.
1. Your GPA, test scores, or experience may be below the average admitted student
2. Acceptance rates are low
3. Strong fit, but higher uncertainty

Apply if the program excites you and you’re willing to take the risk.

Target Programs: Programs where your profile closely matches typical admitted students.
1. Your academic background and experience align well
2. You meet (or slightly exceed) most requirements
3. Strong alignment with your goals

These should form the core of your shortlist.

Safety Programs: Programs where you comfortably meet admission requirements.
1. Your profile is stronger than the minimum expectations
2. Acceptance rates are higher or requirements are flexible
3. Still a genuine fit for your goals

A safety is only useful if you would actually be happy to attend.

Build a Balanced List: Aim for a mix (e.g., 1–2 reach, 2–3 target, 1–2 safety)

For PhD applicants: Classification depends less on GPA cutoffs and more on research match, supervisor availability, and funding competitiveness.

Explore Field-Specific Grad Study Guides

Click here to access a range of field-specific graduate study guides that cover academic and non-academic activities that could strengthen your applications.