In my three decades as a graduate admissions dean and counselor, I found many students struggling to succeed and often distraught over their graduate school choices. In almost every case, the cause of their dissatisfaction began before they even applied. Based on interactions with those students, I realized that if they had only asked themselves a few simple questions before applying, they would have never lamented their decision。

　　在担任研究生招生办主任和顾问的三十年里，我发现许多学生在研究生院选择问题上很下功夫，但还常常是焦头烂额。在几乎所有案例中， 他们不满意的原因甚至都可以追溯到申请学校之前。通过与这些学生交流，我意识到如果在申请之前自问几个简单问题，他们就不会后悔自己当初的选择了。

　　To help make a decision, ask yourself these questions, write down your answers, and be as honest as possible:

　　为了帮助你做出决定，问自己这样一些问题，并写下答案，要尽量做到忠于事实：

　　1. Why do I want to go to grad school?

　　为什么我想读研？

　　The reason you want to earn a graduate or professional degree is as important as the school and program you choose. Consider these factors and put them in order of importance。

　　你想取得硕士或专业学位的原因和你所选择的学校及项目同样重要。认真思考一下这些因素，并依其重要性排序。

　　To learn more

　　为掌握更多知识

　　To add a credential to my résumé

　　为简历增加一个证书砝码

　　To have a better chance of being promoted

　　为增加升职机会

　　To have more credibility in my chosen field

　　为提高自己在专业领域内的信誉度

　　To change careers

　　为改变职业

　　To increase my earning potential

　　为加薪创造机会

　　Because of pressure from my family

　　迫于家庭压力

　　Because I need to feel better about myself

　　为获得更加良好的自我感觉

　　Because I don't know what else to do

　　不知道除此之外还能做些什么

　　2. Why do I want to do this now?

　　为什么我现在想读研？

　　Like your reasons to go to grad school, timing is very important. Before you invest in your time—and the application fees—be sure you are ready to go. Consider these statements and, again, put them in order of relevance。

　　如同读研的其他理由一样，时间选择也不可小视。在投入时间和申请费之前，搞清楚你是否已做好准备。慎重思考这些原因，并适当排序。

　　Because I am mentally and emotionally ready for a new challenge

　　因为无论在心理上还是在感情上我都已为新一轮挑战做好准备

　　Because my employer is encouraging me to do so, and might assist with the cost

　　因为老板鼓励我这样做，或许还提供资金支持

　　Because I am not getting any younger

　　因为时间不等人

　　Because it is a logical next step for me professionally

　　因为这是我专业道路上合理的下一步

　　Because I am ready financially

　　因为资金已经到位

　　Because I have the time now to commit and it may be a limited window

　　因为现在我有时间来深造，或许时不再来

　　3. What type of academic or professional degree am I seeking?

　　什么类型的学术或专业学位系我所求？

　　You need to weigh and consider a variety of motivations, including those that are based solely on current personal and professional realities, to determine what program you should pursue. But please don't choose your degree path on what you "think" you need。

　　在决定应从事什么研究项目之前，你需要权衡和考量各种动机，包括那些单纯基于当前个人情况和专业实际的动机。但是，请不要以你“觉得”你需要这种思想来指导你的学位之路。

　　Instead, start with knowing your passion—what excites you and makes you want to get up every morning. Turning what really motivates and enthralls you into a career path, due in part to your graduate and professional school study and degree, will give you a broader and more fulfilling career and life experience。

　　而是去发现你的热情所在——什么让你激动，什么激励你天天早起。某种程度上以研究生和专业在校学习和学位为导向，将真正激励和吸引你的东西转化为职业，你将获得更广阔的、更利于自我实现的职业发展空间和生活历练。

　　4. In what geographic region do I want to study?

　　你想在哪个地区学习？

　　Perhaps you have always wanted to live in another part of the country or go abroad for graduate study. Knowing where you'd like to be will help guide your search, but be careful not to rule out certain locations completely in the early stages. During the search process, you may find an option emerge that is worth examining further。

　　可能你一直希望能在家乡以外的什么地方或在国外完成研究生学习。了解你的地区喜好将有助于你做出选择，但是，不要从一开始就完全排除掉某些地区。在选择过程中， 你可能会突然发现一个值得做进一步考查的选项。

　　Most graduate programs throughout the world instruct in English, so language should not be a barrier in exploring international options。

　　世界上大多数研究生项目的指导语言为英语，所以，在进行国际性选择时语言不应成为障碍。

　　5. What type of learning and student experience am I seeking?

　　我希望获得怎样的学习和学生经验？

　　Do you want an environment where faculty and students have an interactive learning approach? Are you more interested in a lecture style? Do you want to have a lot of social interaction with fellow students outside the classroom? Are you going to focus primarily on your coursework?

　　你希望在教师与学生互动式的氛围中学习吗？你对讲演式授课更感兴趣吗？课外时间与同学频繁进行社会性交往是你的渴望吗？你打算把主要精力放在功课上吗？

　　Do you have a preference of studying at a more research-oriented institution? Do you prefer a public or private university? Remember, you're going to spend a lot of time at the school you choose, so take the time to consider the campus environment and culture to make sure it's the right fit。

　　你希望在更侧重于研究的机构学习吗？公立和私立大学，你觉得哪个更好一些？记住，在所选学校里你将花费很多时间，所以，仔细斟酌以确定适合你的校园环境和文化。

　　6. Will significant others, a spouse, or children impact my plans?

　　身边的重要人物、配偶或孩子会影响我的计划吗？

　　Your partner and/or children add a significant, and often complicated, dimension to your graduate study decisions. All are impacted by the experience. Adjustments will need to be discussed, anticipated, and managed. By including those closest to you, you will reap huge dividends when the inevitable rough spots emerge along the journey。

　　你配偶或孩子往往对你的研究生学习决定起着重要而又复杂的作用。各种决定都受到经验的影响，作出调整时需要进行一些讨论、预测和安排。在逾越旅程中无法避免的沟坎时，与身边的人，包括你最亲近的人商讨对策，你将获益非浅。

　　7. Should I consider a full-time or part-time program?

　　我应该全日制学习还是半工半读呢？

　　There are pros and cons to both, and you need to consider carefully what's best based on your situation and motivations. Going full time usually means finishing more quickly, but also likely means a change in employment status, income, and partner/family dynamics. As for the student experience, full-time students tend to develop stronger social networks, which translate into continued personal and professional relationships after graduation。

　　这两种学习方式各有利弊，你需要依据自己的实际情况和动机来作出最佳选择。一般情况下，全日制学习可以在更短时间内完成学业，但也意味着就业状况、收入和家庭稳定性的变化。就学生经验来说，全日制学生有机会建立更紧密的社交网络，有利于毕业之后的个人和专业发展。