Finding the Best Grad School Fit: Academic, Personal, and Professional Advice

Choosing the right graduate program is a big decision that can shape your academic, professional, and personal future. In this episode of Victors in Grad School, Dr. Christopher Lewis brings together a diverse panel of enrollment management professionals and industry experts from across the country to answer a critical question: What’s one piece of advice you would give students to help them better evaluate whether a program is the right fit academically, personally, or professionally? The insights shared in this episode are a goldmine for anyone considering graduate school or helping others navigate the process.

One major theme throughout the episode is the importance of self-reflection and self-honesty. Many experts, including Sabrina Brown (UNC Charlotte) and Tony Fraga (Direct Development), urge students to look beyond academic rankings or prestige. Instead, they recommend starting with your "why"—what are your true motivations and career goals? Take the time to evaluate your learning style, your needs for support and community, and how a program aligns with your personal aspirations and circumstances.

Research and connection are another recurring theme. Repeatedly, the guests encourage prospective students to look beyond brochures and websites. Instead, make meaningful connections: talk to faculty, current students, and especially alumni in roles or industries you aspire to. Emily Dayton (UC San Diego) and Marcus Hanscom (Direct Development) stress the value of these conversations in revealing the actual culture of a program, typical career outcomes, and the lived experiences of people just like you.

The academic environment matters too, but it’s not the whole story. Paul Brandano (UCLA Anderson) and James Monahan (SIU Edwardsville) highlight the importance of evaluating curriculum, faculty engagement, and the level of rigor honestly—you want to be challenged, but also supported.

Location and atmosphere are also crucial elements. As Ben Webb (QS) and Santavaya Jordan (Vanderbilt University) point out, a program’s fit is not just about classes and credentials but also about the city or campus setting and the mental health resources available. Can you picture yourself thriving in this new environment?

Finally, don’t forget to be proactive! Reach out for more information, as Matt Bohlen (Carnegie) explains—it’s worth the extra effort to piece together what life as a student there truly looks like.

If you’re gearing up for grad school or supporting someone on that journey, this episode is packed with candid, actionable advice. Listen in for a wide range of perspectives and start charting your own path to graduate school success!

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:01]:
Welcome to Victor's in grad school, where we have conversations with students, alumni, and experts about what it takes to find success in graduate school.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:11]:
Welcome back to Victor's in grad school. This week, we have a great opportunity to be able to learn from other enrollment management professionals. I recently attended the National Association of Graduate Admission Professionals or NAGAP. And at that conference, I spoke to a number of enrollment management professionals and individuals working within industry that are working with higher education about a number of questions to help you in the journey that you are on toward graduate school. This week's question was, what's one piece of advice you would give to students to help them better evaluate whether a program is the right fit academically, personally, or professionally. I hope that you enjoy the answers to this question and that it will help you on