The following are steps to take which will help you determine if graduate school is the right decision for you.

Determine your personal goals.
Conduct an honest appraisal of your priorities, academic strengths, and personal interests. Once you have identified a general field of study, seek the advice of your instructors for information on options within the field.

The next step is an evaluation of your career objectives.
The professional degree will advance your career in a particular area, especially if you have some work experience related to that profession. It is a relatively short-term investment of time and money that leads generally to increased salary, greater mobility, more responsibility, and greater job security.

Learn what graduate and professional schools are all about.
Do you know what a master's degree is? How about a doctoral degree? Are you interested in research, teaching or a professional career? Do you want to become a faculty member at a small liberal arts school or at a major research institution? Do you want to obtain an accredited degree to become a licensed professional in your chosen career? Start asking yourself questions such as these to help you look for a program that will best meet your needs.

Look at your credentials.
Keep in mind that an admissions committee will be looking at all your credentials, so it is possible that strong aspects of your credentials could make up for weaker aspects. They may also be willing to consider mitigating factors such as a heavy work schedule. It is important for you to be realistic with yourself about your credentials.

Obtain good references.
Good letters from faculty describing your ability to excel in graduate school strongly influence admissions decisions. If faculty don't know you, they can't write a good reference letter for you. Ask questions in class, go to office hours, show interest in the subject. Work hard so the professor will notice and be familiar with your work.

Prepare for the Graduate Entrance Exams.
These exams may be a pivotal aspect of your credentials, and preparing for them is very helpful.

Plan early.
Know all the deadlines. Be aware that graduate school application deadlines are often in the late fall.