The Summit Ahead

5 Free Downloadable Resources to Help Guide You as You Consider Graduate School

Written by Shelly Quance | 3/30/17 10:28 AM

West Virginia University is dedicated to providing you with the most helpful tips and advice possible when it comes to your questions and concerns surrounding graduate school.

That’s why we’ve taken the time in this blog post to list out the various downloadable, graduate admissions resources we have developed over the past year.

Note: Visit The WVU Resource Library and get access to the available resources, blog, and newsletter targeted at graduate degree-seeking students.

1. Deciding If, When, and Where to Go to Graduate School

Everyone has different motivations for choosing to attend graduate school. Maybe you’re looking to advance your position in your current career, or maybe you want to do research, or maybe you’re looking to redirect your career path altogether.

Regardless of your “why” for considering grad school, this guide is meant to help you along in your journey to “making a decision” by giving you a rundown of the most important things to consider before applying to grad school.

This resource will help you:

  • Understand the career outlook of your field
  • Find out which jobs are dying out and which jobs are emerging
  • Learn how technology has shaped your present and future industry
  • Provide insight on the pros and cons of full-time/part-time programs

2. The GRE Cheat Sheet — A Guide to Acing the GRE

For the most useful information, practice tests, and prep courses available to you, this guide is designed to help you focus your time and energy on actually preparing for the GRE instead of spending hours figuring out how to prepare.

In this resource, you’ll find:

  • Succinct explanations of what to expect from the GRE
  • Sample questions from each section of the test
  • A guide to the best resources available for GRE prep
  • Answers to frequently asking questions about the GRE

3. Questions & Answers about Graduate Business Programs at West Virginia University

When you’re considering going back to school for a graduate business degree, there’s a lot to consider. This guide is a multi-page resource to help answer many of the questions you may have as you navigate the application process, standardized tests, and program options.

Here are some of the questions we’ll answer in this guide:

  • Are students encouraged to work while pursuing an advanced business degree?
  • Will completing a dual-degree program enhance my job prospects post-graduation?
  • How long do different business programs take to complete?
  • What extra-curricular experiences will best enhance your application?

4. Understanding the Real R.O.I. of a Graduate Degree in Business

Maybe you’re stuck in a mid-level job, and you’d really like to advance your career. You go back and forth about returning to school for a master’s. It could help you break into upper-level management, but is it worth the expense? One friend told you his business degree opened all kinds of doors, but your dad thinks you’ll steadily rise in the ranks at work if you keep working hard. So how do you make an informed choice that is also right for you personally?

This resource outlines:

  • The possible financial benefits of an advanced business degree
  • The potential costs of pursuing an advanced business degree
  • How personal fulfillment fits into your decision 

5. A Guide to Financing Graduate School in 2017

Do you feel as though a graduate degree would advance your career but you’re having trouble figuring out how to finance it? West Virginia University knows that investing in a graduate degree can be costly, so we’ve put together a guide to help you address your concerns regarding taking that next academic pursuit.

In this guide, you will find:

  1. An understanding of the real cost and R.O.I. of graduate school
  2. The rising pay scale from earning a master’s degree
  3. Tips on getting employer financial support
  4. The current costs of higher education

We invite you to visit West Virginia University's Resource Library and stay up-to-date on WVU’s current and upcoming graduate admissions resources.