When thinking about grad school, there’s a lot to consider to determine if it’s right for you. For those with aspirations of higher education while living at apartments near UT Austin, now may seem like a particularly challenging time to make a decision about how, where, and whether to attend grad school. That’s why we’ve pulled together a number of things to consider to help you make the right choice for you and your goals.
Understand the Job Market
Depending on your field of study, the job market may look very different in the next several years than it has in the past. While STEM fields are somewhat in-demand, many humanities departments are experiencing hiring freezes and funding restrictions across the board. Even normally well-funded STEM programs are likely experiencing restrictions as universities struggle, although the job market after grad school may be flourishing. Take stock of what your opportunities are likely to be after grad school and take that into account. It may be worth waiting a few years for academia to bounce back from the pandemic.
Understand The Day-to-Day
Grad school is notoriously difficult, but understanding what your day-to-day as a grad student will demand of you is essential to making the right decision for you. Talk to a graduate student (or a few) in your field to understand the parts of their schedule that may not be obvious. The Grad Cafe forums are a great place to start. Each year of a graduate program can present a different schedule, so we recommend getting a sense of each different phase, whether that’s TAing, working on fellowship, writing a dissertation, and more.
Apply to Well-Funded Programs
Regardless of what field you’re applying in, ensure that you’re applying to well-funded programs in your field. Grad school is expensive, but if you can count on your studies being funded, it may provide value that outweighs your personal costs. Many master’s programs are not fully funded, but Ph.D. programs tend to provide funding to grad students through Teaching Assistantships, Fellowships, and more. It’s important to understand not only how much funding your program can provide but also what you’ll be expected to do in order to get it (i.e. how many classes you’ll have to teach or research assistantships you’ll have to complete).
Lean on Your Support Network
As we’ve mentioned, grad school is difficult, and you’re going to need to lean on your support networks to make it through. For some, grad school can feel alienating, especially if your support network doesn’t understand what it feels like to be in grad school. But do your best to share your experience and gain their understanding. Additionally, take advantage of support from those outside of your program so that you are reminded of the world outside your studies—having that perspective can help you disconnect from the studies that command your attention and may seem endlessly demanding.
That’s it for our tips for residents of apartments near UT Austin considering grad school! If you appreciated this post and would like to see more of our tips, recommendations, and features, be sure to bookmark our blog page for easy access to future posts! And make sure you’re following us on Instagram so you stay in the know about special offers and community updates for future residents of our new student apartments in Austin.