You know, it takes only a day or so to decide whether or not you're going to buy a car; maybe a week or two to decide on a house. But deciding on whether or not you are actually going to enroll in graduate studies can take some several months.

Now that I'm on the other side of the decision issue--meaning my degree is a done deal--I'd like to paint things all rosy for newcomers. But the reality is there are many, many things to think about.

Such as:

• What's motivating your decision to go to graduate school?
  
• Is now really a good time to begin your degree?
  
• Are you really ready for graduate school?
  
• Are you prepared for the political nature of professional collegiate relationships?
  
• As a woman (since this site's geared to women), is your graduate experience likely to be different than that of a man's?
  
• Is the high price you pay for graduate study really worth it?
  
• Are you looking at a bona-fide, accredited program; or is the program you've been looking at really a diploma mill?
  
• If you've just finished an undergrad program and have spent all of your years living in dorms on campus, where are you going to live while you work on your graduate degree?
  
• Can you manage the work load?
  
• If you're going to work while in graduate school?
  
• How are you going to manage stress and keep yourself healthy?

Truthfully, the list of things to think about is probably endless. If, when all is said and done, your list of positive reasons to attend outweigh your list of negative reasons not to attend; and you have a vested interest in the outcome, its worht the extension of effort.

Until next time!

Lynn Byrne