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。

　　在擔任研究生招生辦主任和顧問的三十年里，我發現許多學生在研究生院選擇問題上很下功夫，但還常常是焦頭爛額。在幾乎所有案例中， 他們不滿意的原因甚至都可以追溯到申請學校之前。通過與這些學生交流，我意識到如果在申請之前自問幾個簡單問題，他們就不會后悔自己當初的選擇了。

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

　　為了幫助你做出決定，問自己這樣一些問題，并寫下答案，要盡量做到忠于事實：

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

　　為什么我想讀研?

　　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。

　　你想取得碩士或專業學位的原因和你所選擇的學校及項目同樣重要。認真思考一下這些因素，并依其重要性排序。

　　To learn more

　　為掌握更多知識

　　To add a credential to my résumé

　　為簡歷增加一個證書砝碼

　　To have a better chance of being promoted

　　為增加升職機會

　　To have more credibility in my chosen field

　　為提高自己在專業領域內的信譽度

　　To change careers

　　為改變職業

　　To increase my earning potential

　　為加薪創造機會

　　Because of pressure from my family

　　迫于家庭壓力

　　Because I need to feel better about myself

　　為獲得更加良好的自我感覺

　　Because I don't know what else to do

　　不知道除此之外還能做些什么

　　2. Why do I want to do this now?

　　為什么我現在想讀研?

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

　　如同讀研的其他理由一樣，時間選擇也不可小視。在投入時間和申請費之前，搞清楚你是否已做好準備。慎重思考這些原因，并適當排序。

　　Because I am mentally and emotionally ready for a new challenge

　　因為無論在心理上還是在感情上我都已為新一輪挑戰做好準備

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

　　因為老板鼓勵我這樣做，或許還提供資金支持

　　Because I am not getting any younger

　　因為時間不等人

　　Because it is a logical next step for me professionally

　　因為這是我專業道路上合理的下一步

　　Because I am ready financially

　　因為資金已經到位

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

　　因為現在我有時間來深造，或許時不再來