{"id":39319,"date":"2017-03-31T07:30:07","date_gmt":"2017-03-31T14:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/grad-school-better-in-your-thirties-2\/"},"modified":"2017-03-31T07:30:07","modified_gmt":"2017-03-31T14:30:07","slug":"grad-school-better-in-your-thirties-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/grad-school-better-in-your-thirties-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Grad School: Better In Your Thirties?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/b>When it comes to timing the grad school plunge, students often find that it\u2019s beneficial to wait a few years. <\/span><\/p>\n

Many <\/span>graduate programs favor applicants with career experience, offering benefits like a <\/span>GMAT waiver<\/span><\/a> if you meet certain criteria. In addition, since graduate school can be expensive, waiting until your thirties provides the opportunity to gain some financial stability\u2014and even find an employer who might help reimburse part of your tuition. These are all great reasons to postpone graduate school until your thirties, and here are five more. <\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. You can gain greater insight. <\/b>Catching your breath after your undergrad years will help you to get a handle on what <\/span>your needs<\/span><\/a> will be in terms of a grad school program. This includes factors such as the amount of flexibility needed to attend to responsibilities at work and at home. If your employer is rigid, you\u2019ll want a program that offers greater control over how you design your schedule and attend classes\u2014including making the most of <\/span>online options<\/span><\/a>. If you have a family, the same holds true, since you\u2019ll need all the support you can get to help you fulfill your educational goals.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  2. You can become more goal-oriented. <\/b>If you wait until your thirties to attend grad school, you should be able to better align your educational goals with a specific path for your career. <\/span>Too many individuals apply to grad school without such <\/span>clarity<\/span><\/a>, which can be a tremendous waste of time and money. If you\u2019re not sure what to do after you complete your undergraduate years, entering the workforce is typically one of the smartest moves you can make. Then, when your career goals are keenly honed, you can better find the program that will be a perfect fit for your needs.
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  3. You can access more support.<\/b> During the years after undergrad, you\u2019ll get to do many things\u2014including creating a strong network of support among family and friends. These relationships can help you through the tough patches of graduate school and help you achieve your educational goals. Perhaps one of the most important relationships you\u2019ll build is that with your employer\u2014who will probably be supportive of your initiative and may even help <\/span>cover some of your costs<\/span><\/a>. In fact, some grad students are even able to <\/span>integrate school work into the job<\/span><\/a> in a way that ends up benefiting both.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  4. You can learn to be competitive. <\/b>Getting into graduate school can be difficult, and you\u2019ll enjoy a <\/span>competitive edge<\/span><\/a> with work experience under your belt. In addition, the <\/span>competition doesn\u2019t end<\/span><\/a> once you\u2019ve been accepted. Most programs are quite rigorous, and your classmates will be vying for the top spots. Spending some time in the workforce will teach many of the survival skills you\u2019ll need in such a tough environment.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  5. You can develop essential soft skills. <\/b>A classroom in any framework is a great place to get an education\u2014but the <\/span>soft skills<\/span><\/a> you\u2019ll need to thrive in your career are often better learned in the workplace. These include things like effective collaboration, excellent communication, and an array of interpersonal skills you\u2019ll need along the way. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Although heading to grad school straight after college might be tempting, there are many reasons that it might be a better experience in your thirties. Living a little also gives you time to decide where you\u2019d like to go to graduate school. Wherever you\u2019d like to study, you can use tools like <\/span>MastersPortal<\/span><\/a>, which lets user compare programs around the world, to help find the right fit for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Time in the workforce will provide the experience and clarity you need to make the most of your effort\u2014and money\u2014once you\u2019ve been admitted to the program that best suits your needs. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Admissionado.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n