Prepare for Graduate School
As you consider graduate study, be sure to thoroughly research the various types of degree programs and university or college settings available. Many graduate programs at UW–Madison are consistently ranked among the top in their fields. However, one size does not fit all; so be sure to select a program and institution that you are confident is the right choice for you. Below are some questions to help you make this important decision.
Why Go to Graduate School?
- You want to pursue scholarly interests.
- You want to pursue a professional degree program.
- You’re interested in how your field fits into the broader world.
- You’re interested in making an impact.
- You want to develop intellectual relationships.
- You want to pursue a career credential/career plan.
- You want career advancement.
- You want to attain your personal goals.
What can you do with a PhD?
- Get in-depth specialized training.
- Become a professor.
- Become a leader outside of the academy in business, non-profits, entrepreneurship, and more.
- Invent.
- Advance knowledge.
- Be intellectually challenged.
- Enhance your problem solving.
Is graduate school for me?
Ask yourself these questions:
- What is the best department in my field of interest that I can get into?
- What is the career potential of my field?
- How much is it going to cost?
- How long does it take to get through graduate school?
- What do I want the degree to do for me?
- Am I willing to invest the commitment to time, effort, and overall cost required?
- Am I willing to persist, do hard work, and dedicate myself to my graduate study?
Advanced Degree Types
Master’s degrees
At UW–Madison, some master’s programs require a thesis, some do not, and some give students the option to choose which track they’d like to pursue.
Terminal/Professional master’s degrees
The Graduate School’s terminal and professional master’s programs include the Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Accountacy (MAcc), Master of Engineering (MEng), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Public Affairs (MPA), and Master of International Public Affairs (MIPA).
Doctoral degrees
The most common doctoral degree is the PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy. Some PhD programs admit directly. Others require students earn the master’s degree first, on their way to earning the PhD. The UW–Madison Graduate School also offers doctoral degrees in Music (DMA), Audiology (AuD), Nursing Practice (DNP), and Occupational Therapy (OTD).
Specialist degrees
UW–Madison has Educational Specialist (EdS) degrees in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and in School Psychology.
Professional degrees
UW–Madison has professional degrees in law (JD and others), medicine and public health (MD, MPH, and others), pharmacy (PharmD), and veterinary medicine (DVM). The professional schools handle admissions, curriculum, and accreditation for these professional degree programs.
Dual graduate/professional degrees
At UW–Madison you can pursue a dual degree, such as an MD/PhD, in which you enroll in and complete both a graduate degree program and a professional degree program.
Choose the Right Graduate School
Find 8-10 schools that fit your research interests and goals. University websites are often the best places to start your research. Ask your undergraduate faculty where they studied or where they would recommend you look.
When you attend conferences and/or participate in professional organizations, inquire about which universities your colleagues attended. Look into the faculty research or scholarly interests at schools you are considering. Talk to current graduate students at your selected schools. What has their experience been like?
Ask about support programs such as scholarly communities, tutoring centers, writing centers, library workshops, professional development opportunities, career services, technology training, and other things.
Ask about funding. Graduate school differs from undergraduate study, because as a graduate student you may be able to find funding sources to support you, such as fellowships or assistantships, without having to take out student loans.
Questions to consider when choosing a graduate school
- What degrees are granted in my interest area?
- What is the size of the program at the various universities I’m considering?
- What are the degree requirements? Are they clearly articulated to students?
- How marketable are degrees in this area?
- Does the program, department, or school/college provide career development services?
- What types of jobs do alumni of this program hold? Are they successful because of the preparation they received in this program?
- Are alumni of this program employed primarily in tenure-track faculty positions, or are they successful outside of the academy as non-profit or business leaders, entrepreneurs, etc.? Keep in mind that while you may have one career goal in mind right now, your interests and values may shift while in graduate school. It is important for you to see that there are a wide range of career options to people who hold advanced degrees in your field.
- What are the teaching/research interests of the faculty?
- How do students and faculty interact?
- Does the program offer academic support?
- What kind of labs, computing resources, technology training, writing centers, tutoring centers, disability resources, and libraries are available?
- Is there graduate student housing available?
- What healthcare benefits will I receive?
- What about childcare availability? Costs?
- Is the campus in an urban or rural environment?
- What is the weather like?
- Is it a safe campus?
- Does the university help create a sense of belonging?
- What are the deadlines for application?
- What do admissions committees look for in an application?
- What about course requirements/prerequisites?
- Do I need to take standardized tests?
- Are there any application fee waivers or grants?
- Who should I talk to in the department/program?
- What are my chances of being admitted? What are my chances of being admitted with funding?
- What will the admissions committee look for in my statement of purpose and letters of recommendation?
- Are fellowships available?
- Are there assistantships available, such as teaching, research, or project assistantships?
- What kind of funding package might be offered to me?
- Is there the possibility of grant add-ons (mostly in the sciences)?
- Am I eligible for financial aid, and if so, am I comfortable taking out student loans to finance my own graduate study?
- Are there other types of on-campus employment available to me?
Guidelines for the Statement of Purpose
Before you begin
Visit the graduate program website for information about faculty and their research, courses offered, graduate student profiles, student support, and professional development activities. This will help you get a sense of the culture and priorities of the program, what they may be looking for in a potential student, and if it is a good fit for you – for example, your research interests, professional development needs, and career goals. You can then address these topics in your statement of purpose. If you have any questions, contact the graduate program.
Items to consider
Be specific about your interest and knowledge particular to this program: Have you read an article by one or more of the department’s faculty members? Has your advisor specifically directed you to this program? Do you have other ties to this program and/or school? Pick out the pertinent facts about your academic and professional interests that make you a good fit with the program and institution to which you are applying. (A statement of purpose is not a place to list everything you have done.) Mention extracurricular achievements to illustrate additional dimensions of your personality. Demonstrate curiosity, creativity, enthusiasm for learning, a capacity for teamwork, ability to think independently, and pride in your work. Using brief anecdotes is a good way to make your points. Explain (briefly) any incongruity in your application material, such as a low semester grade. Stay within the page limit specified by the graduate program. If there are no specifications, limit yourself to two pages. Be succinct and clear.
Before you submit
Let at least two people read your statement, preferably a faculty member and an academic advisor, and ask them to provide feedback. Revise accordingly; you want to submit a well-balanced statement that helps you make a strong case for your candidacy. Proofread, proofread, proofread to ensure there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Do not depend solely on technology to do this for you.
Why choose UW–Madison?
UW–Madison offers a combination of world-class education, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a commitment to the greater good. See what makes us remarkable.
The Graduate School
217 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Front Desk Hours:
Fall and Spring Hours
(September – April):
Monday – Friday
10 am – 3 pm
Summer Hours (May – August):
Monday – Friday
10 am – noon
Faculty/Staff Resources
Connect
Prospective students and applicants:
Current students: