1. Clarify your objectives:

a. Self-assessment—Assess how your interests, values, skills and abilities relate to your proposed career direction. You may want to meet with a career counselor or use resources such as Richard Bolles' What Color Is Your Parachute?

b. Informational Interviews—Interview professionals in positions that you believe you would like to enter after your graduate training. Follow these guidelines:

• Interview several persons to avoid biases.
• Locate these persons through faculty, friends, family, local professional associations, and alumni groups.
• Before requesting the interview, read printed information about the field and organization.
• Ask questions appropriate to your needs, for example:
  • Describe the nature of your work.
  • What are the disadvantages and disadvantages of this kind of work?
  • How did you prepare for this career?
  • What advice would you give me regarding graduate and experiential preparation for this kind of work?
  • What are the trends in this field, and what is the employment outlook?
• Send a typed business thank you letter after the interview.

2. Research programs:

Consult directories, request school materials, attend grad fairs, and talk to faculty, professionals and friends. For details on this process, see "Getting Information on Graduate Schools" and "Selecting a Graduate School" under "Is Graduate School in Your Future?"

3. Take graduate admission test:

You may wish to take an admissions test as early as 16 months prior to targeted entry date; however, 11 months prior to entry is in good time. Be aware that all scores will be on your record for five years and will be sent to graduate schools to which you apply.

B. Senior Year or 12 months prior to entry, acquire more detailed information and apply.

Talk to admissions representatives and faculty at the Graduate and Professional School Fair and at the campuses that you are considering. Talk to presently enrolled students and alumni. Questions to ask include:

• What are your overall impressions of the program?
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the program?
• How much access do you have to faculty?
• How often are courses in the catalog actually taught?
• Alumni only: How has your gradate training benefitted you? Do you wish you had done anything differently in your program? If so, what?

For information on applying for admission, see "Applying and Financing Graduate School Education" and the "Pre-Law Guide."