How to go to graduate school
How I did it: I knew I had to go to grad school to get to where I wanted to be in my career.
I listed the schools nearby, did the research, and contacted the professors. I used a 20$ book to prep for the GRE and got a 1340.
When I got in, I treated the classes like a job, adjusted my study skills (it's very different from undergrad), and worked toward my goals.
I had the chance to study abroad, which for my grad school meant three weeks in Mexico working in the field with people who were doing the same thing I wanted to do, only under very different circumstances. Cost was covered by the grad school and a grant from a non-profit. Highly recommended.
Lessons & tips: 1. Each program at each school is unique. Know as much as you can about the school, program, professors, classes, etc.
2. Pay attention to the culture at each school. My state university called me downtown in a suit to meet two professors for 45 minutes to talk about things like where I'd like to intern and would I like to study abroad. That made a big impression.
3. Treat classes like a job.
4. Don't go to graduate school unless you absolutely have to. If you have to, know exactly what you want to get out of it. Don't go just to avoid getting a job.
Resources: A 20$ GRE book from Princeton Review.
