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Picking a grad program isn’t like picking a college — prestige matters far less, and fit with a specific advisor and your field matters far more. Here’s what to actually weigh so you land somewhere that funds you, fits you, and launches the career you want.
Advisor fit (the biggest factor for research degrees)
For a PhD or research master’s, the professor you work with shapes your entire experience — your project, your funding, your recommendation into a career. Look for faculty whose work genuinely excites you, who are taking students, and whose current students seem supported. A great program with no advisor fit is a bad fit.
Funding
Does the program fund its students with assistantships or fellowships, or expect you to pay? In many fields, full funding is the norm and a sign the program wants you. Unfunded offers can mean heavy debt — weigh that as heavily as prestige.
Outcomes and placement
Where do graduates actually end up? Ask for placement data — the jobs, industries, or academic positions recent grads landed. A program’s real value shows in what its alumni do, not its name.
Reputation in your field (not overall)
Grad programs are judged by field, not by the university’s general ranking. A school you’ve barely heard of can be the top program in your specialty. Ask professors in your area which programs are strong for your specific interest.
Talk to current students before you commit
The most honest picture of a program comes from the people living it. Ask current students about funding reliability, how their advisor treats them, workload, and whether they’d choose the program again. They’ll tell you things no brochure will.
Time-to-degree and cost of living where the program is.
Whether the program is professional/terminal or research/PhD-track — match it to your goal.
The culture and support — talk to current students about workload, advising, and well-being.
Location, since you may live there for years (especially a PhD).
The most famous university isn’t automatically the best program for your field — or your funding. A well-funded program with the right advisor and strong placement in your specialty will serve you better than a big name where you’re paying full price and no one studies what you want to study.
Build the plan: decide between a master’s and a PhD, learn how to apply, and see how to pay for it.