How Do You Pick A Grad School?

[giramomma]

The title says it all.

There are four programs my colleagues/superiors have suggested that I look into for grad school.

Cost is not an issue.

All the programs are online. All are associated with a bricks and mortar university. Two schools have name recognition (one of which is considered the "best" program). Though, I don't put to much stock in ranking. My university's curriculum and instruction program is ranked #1 in the US, but it doesn't have offer a degree that fits my needs.

All the programs will cover theories, etc in depth.. Some of the theories, etc haven't, changed much in 60+ years or longer. Then it's learning how to apply the information. I'll be using lots of technology. But, that changes rapidly. These programs are not particularly specialized.  I took a certificate program this summer and was introduced to many of the concepts that I would be learning about in grad school.

I will not likely be getting a PhD.

All of them require a GRE. One of them will consider waving the GRE, but you have to get special dispensation for that.

I would like to apply to two programs, maybe three.

Right now, I'm considering putting names of the school on a piece of paper and throwing darts at them...

[Lizard Queen]

If you're really THAT undecided about it, I would look at what classes that you would be taking, and look at their class schedule to see who teaches those classes. Then, research your professors.  Look at their credentials, and go to rate your professor and see what former students have to say about them.  I've only looked at that after the fact, but it seemed that I should have looked at it before taking classes with a couple of them.

[simser]

I did a cross country search figuring out good schools and where I could live (aka where my then fiance could get a job).
Then every grad school flew me out and I got to tour the campus and meet the students and professors. My "top" school became my least favorite, all the rankings I had in my head got turned around.

My now ex husband did something similar and then picked the only school that accepted him. Yes that made me feel awesome, since we were on the rocks at the time!

[shanendoah]

I chose my grad school based on three criteria- location, schedule, and it had to be brick & mortar.
Brick and mortar because I know how I learn best, and trying to attend classes online or via correspondence would have been setting myself up for failure.  
Location was important as I was not willing or able to move. It had to be one of the schools local to my area.
Schedule was important because I also could not afford to stop working full time (let alone stop working at all) in order to go to grad school.
While there were a number of schools that advertised programs friendly to working adults, research made it clear that wasn't really true. One had night classes, but required you to take a full week off every quarter for intensive programs- that's a slight problem when there are 3 quarters per year (assuming you don't attend summer sessions) and you only get 2 weeks vacation/year.

Once it was narrowed down to 2 programs, the attitude of the programs is what made my decision. One was called an "Executive MBA" program. One of their major metrics was how many people were managers at the end of the program. Of course, that meant they didn't really want to talk to anyone who was not at least a supervisor already. And, I had "admin" in my title. When I attended their information session, I was ignored or summarily dismissed by anyone I tried to talk to.
The other program, after receiving my GMAT scores, called and recruited me. Guess what? It's nice to be wanted. And their program truly was working adult friendly. In fact, their MBA program was focused solely on working adults. There were literally no classes offered during standard working hours. I took all of my classes either on Saturday or in the evenings. 
They did require an international experience during the program, but that was only one week I had to take off for school over a two year program.


With the caveat that I test extremely well (as in better than I actually perform), I would not be afraid of taking the GRE. I bought a study book for the GMAT and found free online tests. I found after taking a few tests that I was consistently doing poorly are certain sections, so I studied those.
Most schools publish their test score requirements on their admissions pages, so you should be able to figure out what your target score is.
In addition to studying on your own, there are generally classes offered in just about every city that will help you study for your graduate school exams. (The other person I know who got her MBA, who did not have the restrictions I did, took one of those classes.)

[thyme4change]

All other things being more or less equal...reputation and ranking would be the deciding factor.  With so many shitty schools out there, not all degrees are worth the same amount.

[zibazinski]

Based on what I was going to use it for. For my masters in education, anyplace would do so I picked the closest one. DFs bio wants an MBA and the places she wants to get it from have to be top tier so she is having trouble getting in. She will wait until she gets northwestern or u of m or whatever others she chose.

[giramomma]

Sept 24, 2014 23:57:00 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

With the caveat that I test extremely well (as in better than I actually perform), I would not be afraid of taking the GRE. I bought a study book for the GMAT and found free online tests. I found after taking a few tests that I was consistently doing poorly are certain sections, so I studied those.
Most schools publish their test score requirements on their admissions pages, so you should be able to figure out what your target score is.
In addition to studying on your own, there are generally classes offered in just about every city that will help you study for your graduate school exams. (The other person I know who got her MBA, who did not have the restrictions I did, took one of those classes.)I

I got a study book earlier this month, and checked out a math-specific book from the library. I've been studying that while have some down time (bus ride, waiting for the kids). Also have lists of vocabulary.

I'm rusty (for lots of reasons), and that's the part that worries me the most. I think I'm going to schedule the test for either January or Feb, so hopefully that will give me enough time to start thinking differently.

[giramomma]

Sept 25, 2014 7:48:47 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Based on what I was going to use it for. For my masters in education, anyplace would do so I picked the closest one.

That's what I'm looking at.

[zibazinski]

My school only wanted that degree, they didnt care from where. 

[alabamagal]

Sept 25, 2014 8:04:50 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

My school only wanted that degree, they didnt care from where. 

For education, it really does not matter where it is from, as long as it is accredited school.  If you are a teacher, it is just a box that you check - Master's yes.  You get pay for masters.  You say tuition doesn't matter, just look closely at FEEs that are added on if that matters to you.

With that, I would just choose the one that you feel would be most convenient and that you feel best about.  If they are equal, then try the hat trick.

[giramomma]

I don't want to say exactly what my degree would be in, because it would out me.

I'm noticing that within my university, job postings look for a variety of education degrees..not just area I'm looking at.

The corporate training jobs simply want a masters degree with experience.

I am hoping that my work will cover some of tuition. They are very good about paying for continuing education. If that doesn't happen, we'll tap reserves. DH is completely on board with me going back to school. It's very clear how my options for going anywhere are pretty limited right now.

[swasat]

giramomma, I don't want to ruin your enthusiasm.

But you seem so overwhelmed being the breadwinner and with 2 side jobs. Would you able to also squeeze in grad school on top of everything you have going?

[giramomma]

Sept 25, 2014 9:52:44 GMT -5 swasat said:

giramomma, I don't want to ruin your enthusiasm.

But you seem so overwhelmed being the breadwinner and with 2 side jobs. Would you able to also squeeze in grad school on top of everything you have going?

Oh No worries. It depends.
If we can keep status quo for the next two years, I'd have from 8-11 every night to study, plus some time on Saturdays and time during work when I can grab it.

We tell our students that the program is designed for 10 hours/week/course. That includes a one hour conference. Just using that, I should have close to 20 hours a week available. That also does not include commute time when I bus (between a half hour to 45 minutes a day) and when I wait for the kids.

I also have a half hour in the mornings that I fritter away on various message boards before the kids get up for school.

I will also do minimal volunteering for my kids' activities, next year anyway, since DS will be done with cubs, and we need to make room for DD to make progress on her sacrament. (The prep work is a huge thing.)

So, I think I do have time. I just can't waste it.

I don't pretend that it will be easy.  It's very clear I'm not going anywhere here. All the new hires got the new and interesting work projects. I'm still doing the same thing I was, generally 10 years ago, or getting work that no one should be doing, because I'm a team player and my supervisor made some mistakes that cannot be undone at this point.  Other jobs won't take two degrees in underwater basket weaving 101, when they specifically want particular education degrees. These jobs pay 5-10K more than I am being paid now. For essentially the same work.

I have the experience, I have no background.

ETA: All of the programs are designed for working adults.

[swasat]

Good to know. It seems you have a handle on things

ETA: All of the programs are designed for working adults.

Just a cautionary advice on this. I have been a grad school student in the past, while working FT. To say it was HARD would be an understatement. And this was before I was married and had kids. I was essentially a 24 yo, working a full time job and attending grad school designed for working adults.

From my experience such a program is even harder than the one designed for full time students. Because they try to squeeze in as much as possible in the limited time they have with you. The assignments are much harder too, because you have to do a LOT of research on your own, in limited time.

So just be aware. With a family and 3 jobs, you would be really hard pressed.

But good luck as well. Rooting for you here

[Miss Tequila]

I think it depends on your major.  As zib said, a masters in education can be from anywhere. If I go back for my MBA it would have to be a top business school. Otherwise it is pointless. I have two people in my department getting their MBA's from shitty schools (they had already started before I took over). Honestly, their degrees are going to be worthless because the school they chose (they go together) is well-known for it's OT program, not business.  They are learning squat in class and the company is forking over $10K a year for it. Pisses me off.

[zibazinski]

Yup, MBAs need to be from the top 15 schools or don't waste time/money.

[cael]

I picked where I applied because it's the only public university I can commute to with the degree I want! UMass Boston is a decent school anyway, but my other options were places like Harvard or BU or whatever, and I am just not paying that.

I am going to have to fit classes in around my FT work, I can't quit my job and unless a well-paying PT opportunity comes up somewhere I'll probably stay FT and just muddle through.

Oh, and the GRE - I took it 5 years ago and JUST FINALLY applied to school, tells you how much I want this! I actually do want it but am unhappy I'll lose so much free time and am probably subconsciously just nervous about it. Anyway, I barely studied and got a lackluster 1070 or something on the GRE... haven't heard if I'm accepted yet but I doubt Umass is a super selective school and I think I have a good background they'd be interested to have in their program (environmental sci)

[shanendoah]

As someone with an MBA NOT from a top 15 school, I will disagree. If I were a brand new worker, with no experience, yes, where I got my MBA would matter. If I were trying to get a job based solely on my MBA, the school might also matter.

However, my MBA is meant to supplement my 20 years work experience, and NO ONE cares where I got it from, unless it's to talk about their friend or family member who has attended the same school (which has a solid reputation locally). In fact, I keep getting interviews from the MBA program at UW (which is at top program), and they don't care one bit that my MBA came from a different local school. They only care that I have an MBA.


Now, that said, the other person I know who got an MBA, for her, the school mattered. She turned down a full ride at Carnegie Mellon because it wasn't Harvard or MIT. It mattered to her, and she believed it mattered for the places where she wanted to work, and maybe it did for the first job she got aver she graduated with her MBA, but considering she is now back at the company where she had been working before going back for her MBA, I don't think that fact that her diploma says MIT actually matters more than it saying MBA.

[giramomma]

No MBAs. Education. My university does not offer a program that I'm looking at. It's rather embarrassing, actually.

I talked to one of my colleagues. Between you guys and another chat, I've narrowed down my choices.

[tskeeter]

I think I'd select a school based on these criteria, in the criteria order.  School/program reputation, location (not very relevant for an on-line course), and schedule.  The relative importance of these criteria may vary depending on your situation.

Why did I select school/program reputation as the most important criteria?  Because employers are predisposed to select employees from highly regarded programs.  A Harvard graduate will be the first choice, over a graduate from Metropolitian State University.  And the Harvard grad will probably get more money for the same job simply because they went to Harvard.

[swamp]

I went for bar passage rate and ranking.