Choosing a graduate school is not easy. Choosing the right graduate school can be harder than expected. There are countless graduate programs in the United States and factors that should be considered when choosing the right program is one of the most important parts of your academic success. This process is even more challenging for an international student who may not be familiar with the education system in the United States. I – a faculty member at Pennsylvania State University, Altoona College – gathered various suggestions from diverse faculty members (Dr. Brian Schilling & Dr. James Navalta – UNLV, and Dr. Judy L. Van Raalte – Springfield College) to provide current or future international students with information about choosing the BEST graduate school. Here are 5 tips/suggestions for you to consider for choosing the right graduate school for you.

1. Learn what you want to study

Every program differs in unique ways. Some programs provide you with a better understanding of clinical aspects of sport psychology (e.g., eating disorder, depression), while others focus on performance aspects of sport psychology (e.g., performance enhancement, dealing with pressure). Knowing your focus of study would be one of the first steps in choosing your program of study.

2. Search how you want to use your education: Consider a path to what is next

The field of sport and exercise psychology is broad, offering various programs of study. Some programs focus more on applied work, while others are more research-oriented, some are a combination of both. Having a future goal regarding your career focus (e.g., college professor, mental performance consultant, clinical counselor) can help you to narrow down your preferred choice of graduate program.

3. Learn who you want to study with: Choose an advisor wisely, not just school.

Your graduate program of choice is a place to learn and conduct your research. For instance, if you would like to study “self-talk” or “choking under pressure” you want to find what research has been conducted and identify professors who would be suitable to advise you in your preferred area of study. Finding the right advisor might require some time but it’s worth it once you enter the program. Learn from the expert so that you can become an expert.

4. Contact the program/ potential advisor to feel if it is the right fit for you.

To get an idea about the various graduate programs, speak with a variety of individuals and conduct an extensive web-search. This is a crucial step in helping you decide whether a particular program is a good fit for you. Learning what current students are doing and where previous students ended up after graduation can be a good way to assess a program and build a relationship with an advisor.

5. Check how much the program costs.

Education in the Unites States is expensive and student debt is a serious issue. Therefore, it is advisable to know the cost of tuition and living expenses and identify what opportunities might exist to gain a scholarship and/or graduate assistantships to alleviate the financial burden. Additionally, it is helpful to know what fees might be associated with being an “international student”. Other opportunities for reducing expenses include teaching assistantships, research assistantships, coaching, academic advising, and departmental assistantship. It is especially beneficial to consider funding if you are considering a doctoral program.

Above I have outlined some tips/suggestions to consider when choosing a graduate program in the United States. It is important to prepare and understand what your needs are prior to deciding on a program to ensure you are better prepared for a successful future.