Is Graduate School Right for Me?

Career Services Office

Make an informed decision about your next academic and career step.

Start Your Journey

Discover your strengths, interests, and values with our guided self-assessment tools.

Book an Advisor

Ask Yourself: Why Grad School?

Before jumping in, clarify your motivation. Here are common goals for pursuing grad school:

To gain specialized knowledge or credentials in a specific field
To pivot into a new industry (e.g., policy, data science, academia)
To access better career opportunities or salary growth
To fulfill eligibility requirements for certain professions (e.g., law, psychology)
To pursue a personal or academic passion in more depth

But also ask:

Is this the only path to my career goals?
Am I doing this because I'm unsure what to do next?
Have I considered work experience first to clarify my direction?

Grad School ≠ More Undergrad

Many students are surprised by how different grad school is from their undergraduate experience. Graduate programs are typically:

Self-directed and independent
Intellectually intense
More reading- and writing-heavy
Centered around research, analysis, and critical thinking (not rote learning)
Centered around research, analysis, and critical thinking (not rote learning)

It's important to assess whether you're ready for this shift.

Strong Reasons to Go to Grad School

You need it for your target career path (e.g., research, academia, policy, specialized fields like public health or international law).
You're deeply passionate about a specific topic or field, and want to study it in depth.
You've identified graduate programs that match your interests and goals.
You have relevant experience, and you're ready to engage with the field at a deeper level.
You're applying to well-researched programs, not just famous universities.
You have a plan for funding your studies (e.g., scholarships, fellowships, or personal means).
You've taken time to reflect and explore other options and grad school still feels like the right path.

Risky or Weak Reasons to Apply

You don't know what else to do.
You want to delay job searching.
Your friends or family expect you to.
You think it will "fix" confusion or self-doubt.
You're mainly drawn by rankings or prestige.
You haven't researched the programs or the field.

Tip: If you're applying just to escape uncertainty, take a pause. Meet with a career advisor, explore internships or short courses, or work for a while before deciding.

How to Know If You're Ready

Use the following checklist to reflect on your readiness:

Question	Reflective Prompts
Do I know what I want to study — and why?	Can I explain it clearly in a few sentences?
Have I researched program options thoroughly?	Do I know what courses, research areas, or professors I'm drawn to?
Can I explain how this degree will help me?	In terms of both personal and professional growth?
Do I have relevant experience or preparation?	Academic, work-based, volunteer, or personal exploration?
Am I ready for a rigorous, focused, and independent program?	Emotionally, intellectually, and practically?
Do I have a realistic understanding of funding and visa requirements?	Have I explored scholarships and financial aid?

Tips from Admissions Committees

(Adapted from Shaheen Pakistan)

Be Purposeful: Don't apply randomly. Admissions committees can easily tell when applicants are unsure or unfocused.

Don't Overemphasize GPA: Strong statements of purpose, relevant experiences, and clear goals matter just as much — sometimes more.

Show, Don't Tell: Use specific examples to show your commitment to the field — through coursework, research, projects, internships, or even personal experience.

Avoid Prestige Chasing: Focus on programs that align with your goals, not just those with big names.

Fit Matters: A "top" program is one where your interests, background, and ambitions are aligned with the faculty, research, and curriculum.

It's Okay to Wait: Taking time to work, explore, or upskill before applying can actually make your application stronger.

Explore Alternatives

Sometimes, industry certifications, short courses, or 1–2 years of relevant work experience may give you comparable advantages without the cost and time of a full degree.

🎯 Talk to a CSO advisor to explore:

Graduate vs. work-first pathways
Field-specific timelines and expectations
Postgraduate diplomas, online programs, or microcredentials

AI Prompt Ideas:

"List 5 alternative credentials to a master's in development or data science."
"What are the pros and cons of working before pursuing an MBA or MS?"

Talk to Those Who've Done It

Connect with LUMS alumni who've pursued grad study in your field of interest. Learn from their experiences:

Why they chose to apply (or not)
What they would do differently
How grad study impacted their careers

👉 Check out CSO's Alumni Mentorship Program

📅 Attend our Grad School Panels and Field-Specific Info Sessions

When Is the Right Time?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some students apply right after graduation; others wait 2–5 years to gain work experience.

⏳ Consider delaying if:

You want to explore career options first
You need time to build a stronger application (GPA, experience, references)
You're unsure about your long-term direction

💬 Consider applying now if:

You have a clear, field-specific goal
Your application materials (SOP, CV, references) are ready or can be strengthened soon
You've identified target programs and deadlines

What Grad Schools Look For

Most programs evaluate: