You've finished (or almost finished) your undergraduate degree and you're looking toward the next step. Here are some things you should consider when looking at potential graduate schools.

1. Program(s)

The first thing you need to ask yourself if whether you are looking to earn your Master's degree, your PhD., or both. Many schools offer both degrees within their specific programs. In addition, many graduate schools have a common two courses of action: an internship or a thesis. Looking into the differences will be a big help. And different graduate programs can take different amounts of time to complete; choosing one depends on which direction you want your career to go, so researching the different degrees is a good place to start.

2. Quality

Once you have figured out what kind of degree you want to get, the next thing you should consider is the quality of the programs you will be choosing from. Larger schools will most likely have more money and better quality programs. My advice: if the program isn't going to get you where you want to go in life, it isn't worth looking into.

3. Cost

These days, so many students come out of college with student debt, even from just their undergraduate programs. Much of grad school is potentially self-funded. Keeping the cost of grad school as a key factor in your decision is a smart financial choice for your future.

4. Location

Graduate schools are located all over the U.S. and they are some in other countries as well. Knowing how far away a grad program is from your current undergrad program, your family and your friends is important to keep in mind.

5. Competitiveness

The better quality graduate programs that exist will have an even more competitive nature about them. Schools look at undergraduate transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation. Making yourself as competitive as possible to the grad schools which you are looking at will help in your pursuit of being accepted.

Choosing a graduate school can seem like a daunting task in the beginning, but if you keep these things in mind while researching programs, you'll be all set. Happy hunting!