For some people, obtaining their bachelor's degree is the end of the road education-wise. Yet in an increasing number of fields, an advanced degree is highly desirable and in some cases a necessity. The process of finding the right grad school is really no different than the one you used to find the right undergrad institution.

Programs of Study
Obviously, the first step in this process is to find the school that offers a program of study suited for your needs. Most grad schools offer a wide variety of programs, so finding one right for you shouldn't be too difficult.

What type of degree?
Just as there are a wide variety of undergraduate degrees, so are there graduate degrees. M.A., M.S., M.S.W, Ed.s; it's an alphabet soup. You should determine what type of degree is appropriate for your career goals; and you need to find out the requirements for each degree. An M.A. is intended primarily for those who will continue their education at the doctoral level, and usually requires a research thesis. M.S. degrees do not require a thesis, and an Ed.S (Doctor of Education) and M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) are intended for those specializing in those fields.

The schools
Now that you've determined what program of study and type of degree you want, it's time to begin looking at different schools. Write the schools asking for information or check out their websites (that's what I did). Be sure to look for more than just the programs of study though. Check out other important aspects such as: student life, financial aid, housing options and if the school offers some sort of fellowship or assistance ship to grad students.

Take the GRE
This can probably be the most stressful part of the process, and rightfully so. You've probably heard horror stories about the GRE, and I'm not going to lie: they're true. The GRE is hard; it's extremely hard and it's very expensive: $96 for the General Test. It's comprised of three parts: a verbal part consisting of sentence completions, analogies and the such; an analytical portion which tests your ability to logically analyze a problem and find a solution; and a quantitative section, which consists of math problems. Most schools look at all three sections in their evaluation process, but some only look at one or two parts, so it's important to do well on the test as a whole.

There are a number of guides to help prepare you for the GRE, some of which include a CD-ROM containing sample tests. I can't stress this enough: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM! They can mean all the difference.

Application Requirements
In addition to transcripts, many schools require an essay as part of the application process. Usually this essay will ask you to describe your personal and professional goals, and perhaps your educational background. Other schools may require reference letters as well. Be sure to find out; this is an extremely important part of the process.

The most important step in this process is: ask yourself if this is something you really want to do. Ask yourself if you're ready to sacrifice another two to three years of your life. Grad school is a huge investment, in both money and time. Yet in the end, when you have a Masters degree in hand, you'll have the edge over others who don't have it. That'll make all the time and energy you invested worthwhile.