I Decided To Go Back To Grad School. Should You?

In early 2023, I made the big decision to apply to graduate school. As of December, I have finished up my first semester–only six more to go! Pursuing additional education was never something I considered for myself. I followed a fairly standard route of education: from high school, I went right into a four-year college where I graduated and began my “big girl job.” After almost four years in the workforce, I realized I was missing something. I missed being a student.

If this is a feeling you’ve found growing within yourself, I am here to help. Going back to school, especially for a Master’s degree, is not an easy choice. I want to give you the advice that I wish I had had when applying for schools, from pros and cons to navigating applications! Keep reading for the best grad school tips around. 

What is Graduate School For?

Usually, there are two main reasons why someone would want to go to grad school: it’s an advantage in your professional field, or you’re looking for a later-in-life career change. For me, I am pursuing my Master’s degree due to the former. 

Being able to stand out from other job applicants was a really appealing reason to further my education. Although I’d likely be able to find work without a degree, it will likely make my job search easier. I also will have a greater depth of knowledge of my field after completing my degree. 

Choosing a degree path was really one of the hardest aspects of applying to school. Did I want something generalized that could be applied to several different professional fields, or was I more interested in a specific area of study? Ultimately, it came down to my individual goals, which helped me to narrow in on my degree path. 

Considering the Decision to Return to School

In my family, it was always assumed that I would go to college. My parents would have supported whatever choice I made, but we all knew that I would likely graduate from a four-year institution. Anything more than that was not really a topic of conversation. 

However, after working for my current company for a year, I found out that they would pay for my graduate degree. Before beginning the application process, I was incredibly nervous. Even in the midst of my degree, I’m still nervous! I sat down and created an extensive pros and cons list that I’ll share with you today. 

The Argument For Grad School

Obviously, receiving additional education is never a bad thing. Becoming more of an expert in your professional field will only help to set you apart from a crowd of applicants. Even if your field is not something that necessarily requires graduate education, it certainly won’t hurt you. 

Something I hadn’t considered before going back to school was how good it felt to use my brain again. While my career is intellectually stimulating, I don’t find myself sitting down to learn very often. And honestly? I missed that. I can really say I enjoy a classroom setting and feeling intellectually challenged. 

One of the last major pros I considered is definitely a point of pride: I wanted to be able to prove to myself that I could do hard things. I know what you’re thinking, pride should not play a massive role in deciding to shell out hundreds of hours and even more money on an education. But I’d be lying to you if I said that it wasn’t something I had considered! 

The Argument Against Grad School

Obviously, the biggest con (and most restrictive part) of pursuing higher education is the barrier of cost. As someone who paid for their college education themselves, taking out more money in student loans for my Master’s degree was not something that I was eager–or willing–to do. Unfortunately, textbooks are just as expensive as I remember!

The time commitment was also a huge factor in choosing to attend graduate school. I did not want to waste my mid-20s worrying about projects and essays. Frankly, I find my time more valuable than any dollar amount, and that is a currency that I do not spend lightly. Being a full-time grad student is not a light time commitment. However, I knew that putting in the work now would be setting me up for great success further down the line in both my career and my life. 

Ultimately, I decided that the pros outweighed the cons, and continued researching institutions that would be a good fit for me and my degree path. 

Assessing Your Goals

The number one thing I wanted to be able to take away from grad school (other than my degree) is the knowledge that I’d be receiving in the classroom. After lots of back and forth, I decided that a specific area of study was more worthwhile for me and my career rather than something general. 

I work in publishing, which is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a little girl. Rather than applying to MFA programs in English, I chose a Publishing-specific course. I felt confident that this is what aligned most closely with my goals and would benefit me the most. 

This may not always be the best course of action, however. For example, if you work in marketing, getting a more general degree, like an MBA, could be more beneficial to your career. Additionally, if you want to work in government, pursuing a Master's in Public Policy may be more applicable, rather than a Political Science course.

I highly encourage you to speak to advisors for programs you are applying to as well as those who currently work in the field you are interested in. LinkedIn is a great tool when it comes to researching degrees! Don’t be afraid to lean on your network. 

How to Navigate the Path to Grad School

Once you’ve confidently chosen the degree that you want to pursue, you can now choose specific institutions that you’d like to apply to, and finally, the application process. 

When deciding where to apply, ask yourself:

Are you willing to relocate for school?

Are you interested in an online program?

How much does attending an “elite” college mean to you?

What is the reputation of your program within the overall college?

These should help you decide which schools best fit your wants and needs. 

Frankly, the application itself was one of the easier aspects of applying to graduate school. The best advice I can give is to give yourself more time than you think you need. You’ll likely need to ask for letters of recommendation, so be sure to allow them plenty of time to write!

Although you can really ask anyone from your professional or academic network to write a letter for you, I asked two of my former superiors whom I worked very closely with. Additionally, writing your personal essay is not something that should be done in a day or two. Give yourself plenty of time to revise and make changes. 

Going Back to School as an Adult

As a full-time employee of a major publishing company, as well as a freelance writer (hey Swift!), my time is precious. I’m sure yours is, too! In the months and weeks leading up to my first day of classes, I was so nervous that I was signing my life away for the next two and a half years. Quickly, I realized this did not have to be the case. 

Becoming organized was not something I merely wanted to do anymore, it became a necessity. I now schedule everything out on my calendar, from assignment due dates to happy hour with my friends. Because the answer is yes: I can still have fun with my friends and loved ones. It all just comes down to balance. 

I’ve found the best way to balance my work, school, and personal life is by setting hard boundaries with myself and others. Sure, I’d love to go to a movie with my girlfriends or grab coffee with them on a Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, the reality is that I don’t always get to say yes. I make sure I leave at least one weekend day available to dedicate solely to homework, even if I’d rather be doing literally anything else. 

The final aspect that really makes me feel better about being a student is the age range of my fellow classmates. As a 25-year-old, I am in the youngest quarter of my fellow students. I do not have children; some of my classmates sit through class with their kids on their laps. The resolve I see from my colleagues is inspiring and confirms that if they can do it, then I can, too. 

Whatever path you choose, make sure it’s the right one for you. Outside opinions may be helpful, but the only one who can make this choice is yourself.