Choosing a graduate program is indeed a big challenge. For most people, graduate school changes their interests and they come out different people than they went in. And of course you don't know very much about the schools.
First point is that people can have very different experiences at the same school. It is probably more important to find the right mentor than to find the right department, and almost certainly more important to find the right department than to find the right university,
If you are sure that you are going for a PhD, then you should know that there are only some 400 research intensive universities in the United States, and you probably want to choose a research intensive university. There is a world ranking of universities which is heavily weighted by research productivity, which you might look at:
There are good websites with resources on graduate schools, such as this one:
College and University Rankings
The National Academy of Sciences does a ranking of research doctorate programs in the United States. The most recent one was published in 1995. A new one is being developed now, and there is an available methodoligical study that might help you to see what those ranking mean. Even when published, however, these rankings tend to describe the departments as they were (when their current reputation was formed), rather than as they will be during a future period of study.
I would point out that a PhD is a specialized degree intended to prepare students for careers in research and university teaching. Rita Colwell told me she is involved in an NAS study which will recommend the development of master's programs to train laboratory managers. The recipients would be people who love research, and would have not only the technical capacity to carry out research, but the managerial skills to manage a research laboratory. In many other fields, the journeyman professional degree is at the Master's level. That would be a degree that would prepare the holder to offer professional services (such as engineering) but not to do research nor necessarily to teach at the university level.
Some graduate programs are basically factories for turning out graduates. Some of the large MBA programs have that reputation, and I suspect that some of the programs providing master's degrees for teachers are similar. There is an advantage to these programs, in that they often provide a good standard of training, a path for the student with high probability of success, and a no-nonsense approach very suitable with people with an outside life. I personnally prefer programs which are more individualized and flexible.
State universities offer subsidized education, but if costs are a problem be aware that support is often available, especially for doctoral students, through teaching and research assistantships. Teaching assistantships are helpful for those wanting to teach, and in developing mastery of material for the qualifying exams. Research assistantships are a big help for carrying out the research needed for the doctorate.
Ultimately, I think the selection of a thesis or dissertation advisor is the most important decision. There are lots of stories around about people who chose a very famous and productive scientist or scholar as advisor only to discover the person was a jerk. Recommendations from current of former students and a track record of people who have gotten degrees from the professor are good guides. Sometimes however a young faculty member, with little track record as a research advisor, is the best choice. Starting graduate school in a relatively large department, which would offer a wide choice of graduate advisors, might be useful for someone thinking they are likely to go on for a PhD.
Of course, educational opportunities are not the only criteria for choosing a graduate school, expecially at the Masters level. Choose a place where you will be happy. Climate counts, Friends count even more.
Ultimately, you have to make the decision yourself. "You pays your money and makes your choice."
Add your comments, in case any students find this posting, and could benefit from alternative views.
I would point out that a PhD is a specialized degree intended to prepare students for careers in research and university teaching. Rita Colwell told me she is involved in an NAS study which will recommend the development of master's programs to train laboratory managers. The recipients would be people who love research, and would have not only the technical capacity to carry out research, but the managerial skills to manage a research laboratory. In many other fields, the journeyman professional degree is at the Master's level. That would be a degree that would prepare the holder to offer professional services (such as engineering) but not to do research nor necessarily to teach at the university level.
Some graduate programs are basically factories for turning out graduates. Some of the large MBA programs have that reputation, and I suspect that some of the programs providing master's degrees for teachers are similar. There is an advantage to these programs, in that they often provide a good standard of training, a path for the student with high probability of success, and a no-nonsense approach very suitable with people with an outside life. I personnally prefer programs which are more individualized and flexible.
State universities offer subsidized education, but if costs are a problem be aware that support is often available, especially for doctoral students, through teaching and research assistantships. Teaching assistantships are helpful for those wanting to teach, and in developing mastery of material for the qualifying exams. Research assistantships are a big help for carrying out the research needed for the doctorate.
Ultimately, I think the selection of a thesis or dissertation advisor is the most important decision. There are lots of stories around about people who chose a very famous and productive scientist or scholar as advisor only to discover the person was a jerk. Recommendations from current of former students and a track record of people who have gotten degrees from the professor are good guides. Sometimes however a young faculty member, with little track record as a research advisor, is the best choice. Starting graduate school in a relatively large department, which would offer a wide choice of graduate advisors, might be useful for someone thinking they are likely to go on for a PhD.
Of course, educational opportunities are not the only criteria for choosing a graduate school, expecially at the Masters level. Choose a place where you will be happy. Climate counts, Friends count even more.
Ultimately, you have to make the decision yourself. "You pays your money and makes your choice."
Add your comments, in case any students find this posting, and could benefit from alternative views.
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