Researching Graduate Programs

Seek Information and Advice

• Make sure to seek information and advice to help you make a clear, informed decision.
• Faculty are a great resource. They know you, are familiar with your work and your interests, and are likely familiar with grad schools in their fields.
• People working in your field of interest often know of strong graduate programs, and if a graduate degree, or work experience, or some combination of the two, makes one more competitive in their field. 
  • SPARC's networking guide will help you with the process of seeking information and advice from people working in your field.

Avoid Making Assumptions

• Academic disciplines at the graduate level can be very specialized, and institutions with superb programs in one discipline may sadly be lacking in other areas.
• Some of the finest departments of a discipline may be found in institutions that are unfamiliar to you.
• Don't select a school purely based on its overall reputation; this could lead you astray.
• Approach your search like a good researcher, with an open mind and the determination to sift through all of the evidence before you arrive at your conclusion.

Learn about Potential Programs

In addition to talking with your faculty and people working in your field, consider these:

• Research: You are already doing research and reading publications related to your concentration. Start to track articles written by people you would be excited to work with. If you notice that one of these authors works at an academic institution, you might want to consider making that school an option.
• Alumni: Hampshire alums are a great resource. Go to Hampshire’s Alumni network. You can also find alumni using LinkedIn. Search by the degree or program of interest.
• Professional Associations: Sometimes professional associations will summarize and graph information about accredited graduate programs in the field.
• Subject-Based Blogs/Online Communities: When you find a group of people online who are doing what you want to be doing, ask them for information and advice about strong graduate programs in the field.
• School Fairs, Informational Sessions, Open Houses, Visits:
  • Each fall, there is a Five College Graduate School Fair at UMass. 
  • There are also many virtual fairs, through organizations such as idealist.com and professional associations.
  • You may be able to find fairs being held in major metropolitan areas, especially during the fall. 
  • Many programs and schools will offer information sessions online and on site, as well as open houses. 
  • Often, you can arrange a visit to a school where you are able to sit in on classes and talk with admissions, financial aid, faculty, and students.

Contact Professors at Specific Programs

Should you reach out to grad school professors at schools of interest as a part of your search process? Some faculty members get hundreds of emails each year from prospective graduate students. You want to reach out only if you can do it well to make a positive impression. 

No, don’t do it…

• If your sole intent is to get your name out there and get an edge during application season.
• If you are considering sending an email to a long list of professors.
• If you are seeking information about the program. Instead, contact the graduate admissions office or program director rather than a faculty member.

Yes, it could be appropriate…

• If you have a genuine interest in working with this professor based on your knowledge of them and what they do specifically. Have a real reason, don’t make something up.

How to Reach Out

If you decide to reach out to a graduate school professor, here are your next steps:

• Thoroughly read their web pages, get a grasp of their research, and think deeply about your reason for contacting them
• Write a concise email, be brief so they will read it, but not so vague that your interest seems ungrounded.
• Explain that you intend to apply to their program based on the strengths in _______.
• Mention which research or courses caught your attention.
• If you have studied this topic previously, mention that. (Be aware that sometimes professors may be done working on the topic that they are known for and may have moved on to new interests.)
• Briefly discuss your future plans and introduce your questions about how your interests might fit in with the professor’s current research agenda. Ask if the professor expects to have space in their lab or whatever might be appropriate in your field.
• Some suggest not including a resume or CV as it is too much information for the first time reaching out. Others suggest including it: say that you’ve iodine so in case they’d like more specific information about your background.
• Try to find balance between being interested and enthusiastic, while also being professional and grounded.