How do you know which graduate school is the right fit for you?
Graduate programmes usually prefer students who can show they have specific interests they want to study. In addition, there are many other important factors to consider such as location and cost
Application to graduate school can be a daunting experience for many people. It's a long process that requires deep research and planning, but it also requires you to be aware of your own desires.
In an undergraduate degree programme, students are expected to feel lost, and it is generally accepted that they will take time to find themselves through the four years in university. However, for a master's degree, students are expected to have some basic idea of what their academic goals are when they apply.
Graduate programmes usually prefer students who can show they have specific interests they want to study. In addition, there are many other important factors to consider such as location and cost.
Due to all these, applying for a master's can often feel overwhelming and an insurmountable task. Prospective applicants are often confused about where to apply and what to prioritise.
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Should you pick the most well-reputed schools to apply to? Or should a country be the top priority?
Answers to these questions will depend on the individual applicant and their future aspirations. The Business Standard has compiled a guide that can help you figure out how to know which graduate school is the best fit for you, personally.
Understand your specific goal
This is the first piece of the puzzle that will lay the groundwork for all your research and planning.
"Before you start shortlisting schools, reflect on why you want to attend graduate school. Are you aiming to deepen your knowledge in a specific field, acquire practical skills, or network with industry professionals? Your goal will shape the type of program, its location, and even the institution's reputation that aligns best with your aspirations."
Every person has their motivations for seeking higher education abroad, and understanding your own interests will be your strongest tool during the application process.
Firstly, competitive master's programs look for highly motivated students who have already figured out their academic field of interest. Since you will have to write about this in your application, it's a good idea to start thinking about it from the beginning to stand out.
Zahra Mayeesha, a student who applied to graduate programmes last year and is currently studying at the University of British Columbia, says, "Before you start shortlisting schools, reflect on why you want to attend graduate school. Are you aiming to deepen your knowledge in a specific field, acquire practical skills, or network with industry professionals? Your goal will shape the type of program, its location, and even the institution's reputation that aligns best with your aspirations."
Understand your finances
Graduate school can potentially be a very expensive endeavour, and not everyone will be able to afford every school. It is crucial to analyse the financial resources at your disposal before shortlisting universities for applications.
If you are going to rely on receiving money from a family member, then it's better to have an honest and open conversation with them beforehand about how much they can contribute.
If you are aware of your financial limitations, you can filter out schools that would be unfeasible for you.
Having a good grasp of your finances is helpful because it can help narrow down and focus your search for the right school.
Saad, a student who initially thought of Canada for his master's but ultimately chose Malta as his destination, says "I wanted to go to Canada and even applied to some universities because my friends were there, but after talking to my parents I realised that it would not be feasible for me. Although a little disappointed, I decided to seek out other avenues and that brought me to Malta. I love it here and do not regret it for a second."
The importance of location
Many people think that the importance of location comes from simply knowing which countries have the top schools, and which have a more appealing culture. In truth, picking the right location has a host of practical benefits and can set up your future nicely.
Shihab, who works at IDP Education, a top education agency in Dhaka, notes, "If finances are a concern, you can look into public universities in Europe as opposed to North America. Europe often has tuition costs that are comparatively low and affordable.
On the other hand, the United States may have a greater selection of universities suited to your needs than all of Europe combined. Furthermore, North American universities may provide greater funding opportunities than other locations."
The cost of living is another crucial element that you have to take into account when picking a location. A school in a big city may provide greater opportunities for networking and seeking internships, but you may prefer the quiet charm of a college town instead.
Specific programmes over general rankings
When it comes to determining a good fit for you, the specific programme of a school and the academic interests of the faculty etc are far greater markers than the general ranking of a school.
Azraf, currently wrapping up his PhD in Canada, remarks "If you apply to a school that is ranked top 10 internationally, but the professors in the programme do not have expertise in your area of interest, not only will it harm your growth, but it will also lower your chances of receiving an offer. This is because schools also look for students that will be a good fit for them, not just students with good results."
Fundings and scholarships
Many schools offer substantial funding to international students and many do not. It is important to find out whether the schools you will apply to can provide funding or not.
This will also vary based on different departments and programmes within the same school, so make sure that your specific programme offers funding.
Funding can come in different forms too. Many schools will offer international students' opportunities to become Teaching Assistants to help offset the cost of tuition. There are some schools that are 'need blind', meaning they offer guaranteed funding to every student that gets it regardless of their financial capacity.
However, you may also come across programmes that do not offer enough financial support to international students. In that case, you may have to make the tough choice to spend your time in other institutions.
Speaking about her experience, Fatimah, who completed her Master's from the Netherlands said "There were a lot of universities I liked, but I had to be practical. I shortlisted only the universities that have a history of offering full-ride scholarships to international students."
Current world events
In our current environment, it is wise to consider the larger political landscape of other countries before finalising the application shortlist.
To illustrate, Shihab provides an example, "Canada used to be a popular destination for Bangladeshis for studies, but due to rise in anti-immigration sentiment, and specifically, anti-international-student sentiment, the Canadian government is clamping down on international students' acceptance rates. So, these days I am being candid with my clients and telling them that they should also consider other options."
Similarly, with Donald Trump taking charge in America again in January 2025, there is growing uncertainty about the future of immigrants in the country.
Therefore, if your goal is to stay abroad after completing your graduate studies, keep a lookout for the political changes that could affect your plans.
