Managers and professors of graduate schools say that because graduate students usually have a bachelor's degree, their academic level is higher than that of college students.
Compared with undergraduates who need to study many subjects, graduate students can concentrate all their time on the study of specific subjects. Therefore, Tamara Underiner, deputy director of academic affairs at the Graduate School of Arizona State University, explained that graduate students should not only absorb information and acquire knowledge, but also conduct their own research, make unique discoveries and produce convincing content. "In college, you gained knowledge," Underiner wrote in an email. "With your progress in higher education, you master and become a producer of knowledge. It is this growing sense of agency, accompanied by experience, that can make wisdom grow. "
"If students are not sure what they want to do, it may not be a wise idea to go to graduate school, because it doesn't provide opportunities for career exploration like a bachelor's degree," Ji Lin Seiver, a senior lecturer in psychology and psychology students, wrote in an email. Higher education experts say that having a bachelor's degree is usually a prerequisite for obtaining a graduate degree. Therefore, experts say that the purpose of graduate schools is to enable students to study academic subjects in greater depth than universities usually do.
What is the difference between a graduate school and a university?
What's the difference between graduate school and university?
A common misconception about graduate schools is that they are similar to universities, but higher education experts say that graduate courses often involve more autonomous learning than undergraduate courses.
Thomas plante, a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University in California, said: "Many times, college students or people with only college experience will think that graduate schools will be more similar in some ways, but this is not the case." "It will look very different. Therefore, students may be tired of sitting in the small plastic seats in the big lecture hall, listening to the professors of drones, and then taking exams. They don't realize that graduate schools are often not like this. "
Pratt said that graduate courses often involve small classes rather than large classes, and pointed out that graduate students usually engage in academic research outside the classroom. Luz Claudio, a tenured professor at icahn school of medicine at mount sinai in new york, said that graduate schools usually need sufficient motivation and personal responsibility, because students are often asked to work independently.
Claudio wrote in an email: "I told college students that one of the keys to success in graduate school is self-discipline." "There are usually no' homework', no quizzes and few exams. Students need to learn how to study course materials without the close guidance of teachers. However, most postgraduate courses have a long-term project that students must complete. For example, learning these requires different relationships with teachers. For these, teachers become more like mentors and students become more like apprentices. "
Higher education experts warn that because postgraduate courses focus on specific subjects, these courses are only suitable for those who determine the subjects they are most interested in. However, experts explain that the specialization of postgraduate courses is part of making these courses attract students who are fascinated by specific academic topics and are committed to working in fields that require postgraduate degrees.
"The main difference between an undergraduate student and a graduate student is that the student has the opportunity to focus on his or her favorite subject," wrote Helen Godfrey, a career development expert at Bauer College of the University of Houston, who obtained her master's degree in consulting by email and is the owner of Authentic Path, a career consulting company in Texas. "The homework is more tense, but the student will find that he or she likes these topics very much, so it may be an exciting challenge."
Higher education experts warn that those who find the academic workload of bachelor's degree courses extremely challenging may not be ready to meet the strict requirements of graduation schools.
Dana Bearer, deputy director of graduate enrollment at Clario University in Pennsylvania, wrote in an email: "Students who struggle or lack motivation during their college years should spend some time between universities to gain some work experience before entering graduate courses." "It takes a lot of efforts to successfully complete the postgraduate course."
Higher education experts say that those who have done well in their undergraduate experience are often interested in the possibility of further study, and many of them love learning, which makes them very suitable for postgraduate courses. However, experts even urge these people who thrive in universities to reflect on whether their diplomas are helpful to their careers before applying for graduate schools. Jody Britten is a senior assistant at the Education Consulting Company of Medellie Group in Indiana. He has a doctorate, which is crucial to the success of the graduate school.
"When they know what they love very much, we see that students are the most successful when they enter graduate school. If they don't know what they want to do, because they think they need to go to graduate school, or they don't like graduate school, or they just want a raise, then there is no return, "Britten said. "That's when we didn't see them finish their degrees."
Michelle wijkman, director of graduate enrollment at new york University of Technology, wrote in an email: "Graduate schools are more dedicated and professional than universities." "Students don't often change majors, and the courses are aimed at specific fields or research fields. This means that students who know what they want to learn are usually enthusiastic about this subject and determined to become experts. "
Extended reading:
Postgraduate education experts point out that there are many kinds of postgraduate degrees, including professional degrees such as law degrees and medical degrees, as well as doctoral degrees.
"Graduate school can mean many things," wrote Pierre Hugue, a graduate student at Yale University who is studying for a doctorate. Degree in French literature, H &；; CEO and co-founder of c education admissions consulting company. "There is a big difference between starting an MS or MA course, entering a law or business school, and starting a doctoral degree for five to seven years."
Huget said that graduate degrees in some occupations are either compulsory or very beneficial. "Many occupations require some kind of graduate degree," he wrote in an email. "For example, if you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, you will need to continue your college education. In addition, some postgraduate courses, such as MBA, often provide students with important exchange opportunities, which are equally important in their majors, just as students accept them in business schools. If you want to enter academia or do advanced research, you may need a doctorate.
However, Huguet said that graduate school is not necessarily the ideal choice for "natural entrepreneurs" and others who dream of working without a diploma. "I know that many students successfully started their own businesses during their college years and chose full-time jobs after graduation," he said. "For these people, I believe that a graduate degree ... wastes time and money."
Huguet suggested that future graduate students should carefully consider their career goals before applying for graduate school. "First ask yourself what kind of career you want to pursue, and then do some research to see what kind of degree you need for your ideal job," Huguet suggested. "In some cases, a high degree is not necessary, but it can bring higher salary and better position."