Choosing a School and Program Once you decide to go, the most important decision is choosing the right school and specific program. A common mistake is to choose the school first, and then try to make the program fit your needs. You need to determine the type of program necessary to achieve your goal, and then determine which schools offer that program. Research the faculty, their specific research focus, the location, cost, types of financial aid/assistantships, program outcomes (what type of work do graduates get?), program length and requirements, and admissions requirements and procedures. Wabash faculty can be very helpful in this process, as can alumni and Career Services. There are also a number of web-based resources to help you identify programs; the best and most comprehensive is www.petersons.com. Once you determine these factors, narrow the number of schools down to a manageable list, and then schedule a visit to the programs of your choice. Be sure to visit at a time when school is in session. You’ll want to talk with current students and faculty, sit in on a class, meet with admissions representatives, check out the location, amenities and cost of living, and visit the university library. It is also a good idea to meet with the Career Services office. Just like a job search, you want to make sure the fit is right. Programs vary greatly, as does the faculty and their research/specialty. For instance, if you want to study and work in abnormal psychology, you want to make sure the school and faculty specialize in that specific area. If they do not, then do not go to that school, regardless of the other factors (location, etc.). You also want to make sure that you like the faculty and students and share their passion for the subject matter. Joint Degree Programs
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any schools offer joint programs that combine studies in two disciplines. Example: MA French/MPH (Master of Arts in French and Master of Public Health). Joint programs may take longer to complete, and the application requirements may be even more stringent, but you will graduate with degrees in both academic disciplines. You may sometimes be able to add (apply for and pursue) the joint degree even after you’ve been admitted to your initial graduate program. It is of utmost importance that you know specifically how you plan to utilize a joint degree before you enter the program. Your career path following a joint degree program can either be extremely specialized in the disciplines or can be broader, utilizing both fields.
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