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In my three decades as a graduate admissions dean and counselor, I found many students struggling to succeed and often distraught over their graduate school choices. In almost every case, the cause of their dissatisfaction began before they even applied. Based on interactions with those students, I realized that if they had only asked themselves a few simple questions before applying, they would have never lamented their decision。

在擔任研究生招生辦主任和顧問的三十年里，我發現許多學生在研究生院選擇問題上很下功夫，但還常常是焦頭爛額。在幾乎所有案例中， 他們不滿意的原因甚至都可以追溯到申請學校之前。通過與這些學生交流，我意識到如果在申請之前自問幾個簡單問題，他們就不會后悔自己當初的選擇了。

To help make a decision, ask yourself these questions, write down your answers, and be as honest as possible:

為了幫助你做出決定，問自己這樣一些問題，并寫下答案，要盡量做到忠于事實：

1. Why do I want to go to grad school?

為什么我想讀研(微博)？

The reason you want to earn a graduate or professional degree is as important as the school and program you choose. Consider these factors and put them in order of importance。

你想取得碩士或專業學位的原因和你所選擇的學校及項目同樣重要。認真思考一下這些因素，并依其重要性排序。

To learn more

為掌握更多知識

To add a credential to my résumé

為簡歷增加一個證書砝碼

To have a better chance of being promoted

為增加升職機會

To have more credibility in my chosen field

為提高自己在專業領域內的信譽度

To change careers

為改變職業

To increase my earning potential

為加薪創造機會

Because of pressure from my family

迫于家庭壓力

Because I need to feel better about myself

為獲得更加良好的自我感覺

Because I don't know what else to do

不知道除此之外還能做些什么

2. Why do I want to do this now?

為什么我現在想讀研？

Like your reasons to go to grad school, timing is very important. Before you invest in your time—and the application fees—be sure you are ready to go. Consider these statements and, again, put them in order of relevance。

如同讀研的其他理由一樣，時間選擇也不可小視。在投入時間和申請費之前，搞清楚你是否已做好準備。慎重思考這些原因，并適當排序。

Because I am mentally and emotionally ready for a new challenge

因為無論在心理上還是在感情上我都已為新一輪挑戰做好準備

Because my employer is encouraging me to do so, and might assist with the cost

因為老板鼓勵我這樣做，或許還提供資金支持

Because I am not getting any younger

因為時間不等人

Because it is a logical next step for me professionally

因為這是我專業道路上合理的下一步

Because I am ready financially

因為資金已經到位

Because I have the time now to commit and it may be a limited window

因為現在我有時間來深造，或許時不再來

3. What type of academic or professional degree am I seeking?

什么類型的學術或專業學位系我所求？

You need to weigh and consider a variety of motivations, including those that are based solely on current personal and professional realities, to determine what program you should pursue. But please don't choose your degree path on what you "think" you need。

在決定應從事什么研究項目之前，你需要權衡和考量各種動機，包括那些單純基于當前個人情況和專業實際的動機。但是，請不要以你“覺得”你需要這種思想來指導你的學位之路。

Instead, start with knowing your passion—what excites you and makes you want to get up every morning. Turning what really motivates and enthralls you into a career path, due in part to your graduate and professional school study and degree, will give you a broader and more fulfilling career and life experience。

而是去發現你的熱情所在——什么讓你激動，什么激勵你天天早起。某種程度上以研究生和專業在校學習和學位為導向，將真正激勵和吸引你的東西轉化為職業，你將獲得更廣闊的、更利于自我實現的職業發展空間和生活歷練。

4. In what geographic region do I want to study?

你想在哪個地區學習？

Perhaps you have always wanted to live in another part of the country or go abroad for graduate study. Knowing where you'd like to be will help guide your search, but be careful not to rule out certain locations completely in the early stages. During the search process, you may find an option emerge that is worth examining further。

可能你一直希望能在家鄉以外的什么地方或在國外完成研究生學習。了解你的地區喜好將有助于你做出選擇，但是，不要從一開始就完全排除掉某些地區。在選擇過程中， 你可能會突然發現一個值得做進一步考查的選項。

Most graduate programs throughout the world instruct in English, so language should not be a barrier in exploring international options。

世界上大多數研究生項目的指導語言為英語，所以，在進行國際性選擇時語言不應成為障礙。

5. What type of learning and student experience am I seeking?

我希望獲得怎樣的學習和學生經驗？

Do you want an environment where faculty and students have an interactive learning approach? Are you more interested in a lecture style? Do you want to have a lot of social interaction with fellow students outside the classroom? Are you going to focus primarily on your coursework?

你希望在教師與學生互動式的氛圍中學習嗎？你對講演式授課更感興趣嗎？課外時間與同學頻繁進行社會性交往是你的渴望嗎？你打算把主要精力放在功課上嗎？

Do you have a preference of studying at a more research-oriented institution? Do you prefer a public or private university? Remember, you're going to spend a lot of time at the school you choose, so take the time to consider the campus environment and culture to make sure it's the right fit。

你希望在更側重于研究的機構學習嗎？公立和私立大學，你覺得哪個更好一些？記住，在所選學校里你將花費很多時間，所以，仔細斟酌以確定適合你的校園環境和文化。

6. Will significant others, a spouse, or children impact my plans?

身邊的重要人物、配偶或孩子會影響我的計劃嗎？

Your partner and/or children add a significant, and often complicated, dimension to your graduate study decisions. All are impacted by the experience. Adjustments will need to be discussed, anticipated, and managed. By including those closest to you, you will reap huge dividends when the inevitable rough spots emerge along the journey。

你配偶或孩子往往對你的研究生學習決定起著重要而又復雜的作用。各種決定都受到經驗的影響，作出調整時需要進行一些討論、預測和安排。在逾越旅程中無法避免的溝坎時，與身邊的人，包括你最親近的人商討對策，你將獲益非淺。

7. Should I consider a full-time or part-time program?

我應該全日制學習還是半工半讀呢？

There are pros and cons to both, and you need to consider carefully what's best based on your situation and motivations. Going full time usually means finishing more quickly, but also likely means a change in employment status, income, and partner/family dynamics. As for the student experience, full-time students tend to develop stronger social networks, which translate into continued personal and professional relationships after graduation。

這兩種學習方式各有利弊，你需要依據自己的實際情況和動機來作出最佳選擇。一般情況下，全日制學習可以在更短時間內完成學業，但也意味著就業狀況、收入和家庭穩定性的變化。就學生經驗來說，全日制學生有機會建立更緊密的社交網絡，有利于畢業之后的個人和專業發展。