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Introduction
Graduate school is a big step.
Whether you are considering MA or PhD programs (or both), the environment and expectations for graduate students differ from that of undergraduates in a number of important ways.
For example:
- You are on your way to becoming a "professional philosopher," or at least an expert in the field. This means you will be expected to be familiar with a range of topics, including the contemporary status of scholarship in your area of specialization (AOS) as well as general information about the history of philosophy.
- If you are planning to enter academia, i.e. pursue a tenure-track position, you will also (generally) be expected to publish regularly, including conference presentations, journal articles, and books.
- Although your studies may allow you to continue exploring the history of philosophy by reading a variety of thinkers, you will need to focus on an area or figure in philosophy, becoming extremely familiar with the relevant body of work in that area (i.e. developing an AOS).
Guides
There are a few guides to help you through the graduate school application process, including some offering advice on whether graduate school might be a good idea for you.
Emory Resources
Emory also has a number of resources you may wish to consult. A sampling is given below:
Is Graduate School Really for You? by ISBN: 9781421404608Publication Date: 2012-03-01Landing a job in today's academic job market is no easy feat. Is graduate school the answer? This informed and candid book provides anyone thinking about pursuing an advanced degree--and those who support them--with the inside scoop on what to expect in graduate school. Amanda I. Seligman helps potential students navigate graduate study--not just how to get in but how to succeed once you are there and what to expect when you leave. She weighs the pros and cons of attending graduate school against achieving a sustainable work-life balance and explains the application process, the culture of graduate school, and employment prospects for academics.
A Guide to Academia: Getting into and Surviving Grad School, Postdocs and a Research Job by ISBN: 1280587474Publication Date: 2011-01-01"A Guide to Academia" is a handbook for all those individuals thinking seriously about going to graduate school. Written by an author with extensive experience navigating the academic world, the book explains all the steps and potential bumps in the road that a student might encounter as they take the plunge into academia. Each chapter begins with a section called the "hard truth," which will help students determine if they are on the right path. Starting with an undergraduate student looking for a graduate school, the reader is taken on a journey up the academic ladder through graduate studies, a postdoctoral fellowship and an assistant professorship.
