Attending Grad School During COVID: Is Now The Right Time?

By Elise Nelson on April 25, 2021

It’s now been one year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are starting to look better, thanks to the vaccines, but the unfortunate truth is that life may never completely return to pre-pandemic normal. The changing times have left thousands of people feeling uncertain about their futures. Whether you’re just entering the job market after college or you’ve been in the field for years, you may be one of many to have considered attending grad school in these troubling times. The pandemic has turned everything around, and grad school may be just what you need to get things right again. Of course, with all the changes that have happened in the past 12 months, you may find yourself asking: “Is now the right time?” To answer this major question, I recommend breaking it down into smaller factors. Consider these questions to determine if now is a good time for grad school.

grad school covid

Image by Pixabay via Pexels

What made you consider grad school right now? 

First and foremost, you should think about what led you to consider grad school in the first place. Perhaps it was always in your post-undergrad plan and the pandemic brought that plan to a halt. Alternatively, maybe your grad school question was driven by the circumstances of the pandemic. If you lost your job due to COVID, you may have subconsciously considered further education to be something a bit more controllable in your life.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and grad school can potentially put you ahead in a very competitive job market after the pandemic. However, if you’ve never thought you needed grad school before, then it may not be completely necessary for your field. If you’re uncertain about the reason for wanting to attend grad school, then you may want to pause and revisit the option once the pandemic and its aftermath settle down.

Are you comfortable with online learning?

The pandemic sent universities across the globe into a virtual learning format. The sudden change was and still is very jarring to students who had never been exposed to online classes before. It may be a long while before schools shift back to fully in person. Even once we move past the pandemic, it does seem likely that some institutions may keep a partially online format for classes, especially in some grad school programs. Online learning can be a more accessible option for grad school attendees who may be going part-time or who need to juggle other responsibilities with schoolwork.

While online learning offers more flexibility, it’s not for everyone. (And that’s okay!) It takes quite a bit of self-discipline and organization to work remotely. Some students also just learn better in person. It’s all about your personal learning styles and preferences, so you should think about if you’re comfortable with online learning. This can help you narrow down your schools.

Is grad school financially manageable for you right now? 

Grad school is a huge financial decision at any time, let alone in a global pandemic. It’s important now more than ever to ensure that you are financially able to take on further education before you dive in. The pandemic left thousands of people jobless and with plenty of free time for grad school, but a lack of income can harm education efforts. As Idealist noted, you should consider your current job situation and any personal debt when making your decision. Attending grad school may mean adding on more debt, so make sure that you’re comfortable with that. Of course, you can also look into scholarships and other financial aid.

grad school budgeting covid

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Will any non-degree alternatives be just as beneficial?

You may not necessarily need a master’s degree or a Ph.D. to further your education. As The Muse noted, many universities offer non-degree programs, which are typically less expensive and can be completed in a shorter time. Not to be confused with professional licenses or certifications, many certificate programs focus on a certain area of industry and result in a certificate of completion rather than a degree. You can list a certificate program under the “Education” portion of your resume, just as you would with any degree. Certificate programs are also by nature very COVID-safe because many are designed to be online.

The value of a certificate program really depends on your goals. If you simply want to expand your knowledge without committing to a degree program, then a certificate program is a great option. Certificates can also help you find a better job and get a leg up on the competition, but you may want to speak with other certificate and degree holders in your field to see which program type is more beneficial to the job hunt.

How has the field you’re studying been affected by COVID?

It’s safe to say that most industries were affected by COVID, but some more than others. Hospitality and event management, for example, has been greatly impacted by a year of lockdowns and travel restrictions. It’s important to evaluate the industry that you’re looking to study in grad school and try to determine what it will look like once you finish your program. Of course, no one can predict the future, but some industries will forever be changed by the pandemic.

Grad school is valuable for many reasons, but you do want to be sure that the degree will be useful at the price you pay for it. If things are uncertain in your industry right now due to COVID, it may be best to wait another year or so and take another look at grad school prospects. At the end of the day, remember that there’s no deadline for furthering your education.

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