If you chose #1, you are preparing for a career that requires advanced education: college professor, psychologist, marine biologist, lawyer, researcher, doctor, sociologist… These are examples of careers that require an advance degree as an entrance requirement. If you are considering such a profession, then graduate school is the right path for you.

If you chose #2, you have a passion for a subject that is compelling you to learn more. You simply can’t imagine going through life without knowing everything there is to know about the mating habits of nudibranchs, or the history of Apartheid, or the evolution of the English language. Whatever your passion might be, your undergraduate education has only whet your appetite and you simply need to learn more. If you need to pursue your passion for education, then graduate school is the right path for you.

If you chose #3, graduate school may be a poor choice for you. Graduate school is an expensive and time consuming endeavor. Rather than paying thousands of dollars per year for the privilege of being confused, why not get a job and have someone pay you? You can still go to graduate school later if it turns out you need or want to, and you will be a much better student once you know why you’re there. Meanwhile, check out the resources listed in Career Planning to help you find what career is right for you.

If you chose #4, you’re probably barking up the wrong tree. Companies pay employees not by how much education they have, but by the work they do. An administrative assistant gets paid the same salary regardless of whether s/he has a BA, an MBA or a PhD. While it’s true some jobs that require an advanced degree pay more than some that do not (see #1 above), jobs that do not require advanced degrees generally do not pay employees more for having them. If you’re looking for high paying jobs, check out the job listings in our Job Search section to find jobs with good earning potential.