Is It Worth It?
One important question you should ask yourself, “Is graduate school worth the financial investment?” You should consider how much graduate school will cost, what are the indirect costs (i.e., loss in earnings), and will graduate school improve your job and salary prospects? There are many different funding sources with which you should familiarize yourself. These include graduate assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and federal loans.

The most frequently given reasons for dropping out of graduate school are: length of time required, poor academic preparation, dislike of concentrated work, expense, and realization that one was not cut out for academic life. You can avoid these pitfalls by honestly answering the questions below.

• "Is graduate school right for me?"
• "What do I want to do with my life?"
• "What are both my short term and long term goals and are they realistic?"
• "Is graduate study necessary for me to accomplish my goals?"
• "How will graduate or professional school affect my future?"
• "Am I academically and personally ready to tackle the rigors of a graduate program?"
• "Do I have the necessary ability and interest to be successful in graduate school?"
• "Why am I planning to attend graduate school?"
• "What do I hope to gain from the experience?"
• "Have I investigated what career opportunities are available to me at every educational level?"

From "For Your Action: A Practical Job Search Guide for the Liberal Arts Student" by Wayne Wallace.