General Resources
Which graduate and professional schools do Trinity alumni/ae attend?
Within 5 years about 50% of Trinity graduates have or are pursuing further study in masters, Ph.D. or professional degree programs.
Trinity graduates attend top ranked schools, but keep in mind that your undergraduate academic record, work experience, pre-professional test scores and activities are all factors considered by admissions committees. Some schools, such as law and medical schools use pre-professional test scores as a key filter in admitting students.
What if my academic record is not strong and my pre-professional test scores are in the middle of the pack should I apply anyway?
Consult with your academic advisors and Career Services staff, but in general you may want to consider strengthening your record by enrolling in rigorous graduate level courses, gaining relevant work experience and preparing thoroughly to take or retake tests before applying.
Developing a strategy to better position yourself can be a better investment of time than the effort required submitting applications when you may not be able to present yourself at your strongest.
The job market is still tough. Should I apply to graduate or professional school so I can start the fall following my graduation?
Keeping in mind that most business schools seek candidates with 2-4 years of work experience, academic programs and law schools generally accept students applying as seniors. Although the average age of first year medical students is 25, if candidates meet application requirements they can apply.
Graduate and professional school is expensive! Is it better to work and save money?
If you will be pursuing a doctorate in the sciences, humanities and social sciences, do not pay for graduate school. You will need to conduct extensive research to confirm that funding is stable, but teaching and research assistantships while providing modest stipends and tuition waivers can cover costs.
For about 20 years, liberal arts graduates of selective institutions have followed the national trend of delaying application for advanced study. Some work or travel for a few years before the intensity of focus required in further study or seek work experience valued by schools. Some do not want to devote a significant amount of time in their junior and senior years to the application process and prefer to juggle this with work.
Consider how old you want to be when your career is established. “Taking time off” before graduate and professional school can be expensive and complicate one’s life. Starting medical school at 26 means that at age 30 the demands of residency may extend into your mid-thirties and you can start practice. If considering law school at what age do you want to be able to start building your professional career?
Law, business and medical schools are generous with loans. The money you may earn in an entry level job may not be enough to save unless you live at home.