What rankings are useful for grad admissions?

When it comes time to plan for and apply to grad school, prospective students make use of a variety of different rankings to help guide their application decisions. With dozens of variables to consider, how can you be sure which rankings matter most? Here is a sampling of rankings that we direct our current clients to focus on:

• Size of the program. Larger programs will tend to have more resources available to their students, a wider range of course offerings and numerous faculty members and staff. For research-driven curriculums, the size of the program can make a big difference.
• Teaching opportunities are particularly relevant for students interested in pursuing a teaching position of their own at a university some day; however, the chance to be a teaching assistant (TA) is valuable regardless of your future goals. Some programs will have more abundant TA positions than others.
• Funding is critical for research master’s and Ph.D. students. Again, larger programs will tend to have more resources and funding at their disposal. Funding, in the form of scholarships, can also be important for students cognizant of cost and debt.
• Professors. Finding a professor to mentor you throughout your graduate research can not be overstated. They will be instrumental in your academic and professional growth in grad school and beyond – remember to not only utilize their expertise but also their network and connections.
• Location is more often applied to your undergraduate education; however, it is an important factor to consider when applying to grad school as well. Take into account where you want to end up after you attain your degree – do you want to work in a large urban area? Or more rural? Do companies of interest to you have offices nearby? What about connections between professors and employers in the area? These are all important considerations for prospective students.