If you recently graduated from college, you may be wondering: Is graduate school for me? There are many pathways that undocumented college students may take after graduation, including graduate school, entrepreneurship, and law school, among other options. In this post, we will discuss some of the factors that you may want to consider when deciding whether grad school is the right next step for you. I’ll also share advice from my personal experience — both as someone who navigated the grad school application process while undocumented and as a mentor to dozens of students through the process.
One of the first factors you will want to consider is your long-term career goals. Do you hope to become a lawyer, doctor, college professor, licensed therapist, or social worker? These are all occupations that generally require an advanced degree. It is helpful to think of your career goals and whether these require an advanced degree or not. Relatedly, you’ll want to consider whether you need a Master’s, Ph.D., or professional license. This will influence the schools you apply to, since you’ll need to ensure they offer the type of degree you’re interested in pursuing.
Personally, I knew that I wanted to pursue graduate school as I neared the end of college. At the time, I was fortunate to have mentors who encouraged me to think about my interests and passions, and my potential to become a scholar. I had experience conducting qualitative research and knew that I wanted to continue utilizing research as a tool to better understand the social world around me, as well as to inform others about U.S. immigration policies and its consequences on families. During the process, it was also very helpful to talk to other undocumented students who were in graduate school. I learned about the application process and what to expect once in grad school from them.
As an undocumented student, it’s completely valid to have concerns about your ability to work legally after graduation. If you’re from a working-class or low-income background, you might also feel intense pressure to postpone graduate school so you can start working and support your family financially. These feelings are real and the decision is deeply personal. But here’s something to consider: while graduate school can be stressful, time-consuming, and may require sacrifices, it can also open doors that lead to greater long-term stability. With an advanced degree, you may be able to increase your earning potential, access more professional opportunities, and ultimately provide even more support for yourself and your loved ones down the line.
As an undocumented student, you may also be concerned about funding. When considering whether to pursue a Master’s, Ph.D., or professional license, it will be important to do some preliminary research about costs and funding opportunities. It can be especially helpful to connect with current or former undocumented graduate students to learn about their experience and advice. You can also learn about fellowship opportunities through resources shared by My Undocumented Life, Immigrants Rising, and Cientifico Latino.
Another aspect that is often not talked about is the fact that being undocumented entails a tremendous amount of uncertainty. Consequently, staying in school can be a way for undocumented students to sustain a sense of hope or some level of certainty and protection. This is a valid concern that is shared among undocumented students contemplating graduate school.
The factors and timing of your decision will vary. There’s no one way to approach grad school, but it is helpful to figure out your own circumstances, talk to others, get advice/support, and ultimately determine what makes the most sense for your own trajectory.
Are you considering applying to graduate school this academic year? Comment below with any questions/concerns you may have about the process!
Be sure to stay tuned for upcoming UndocuGrad Tips!
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Categories: Applying to Grad School, UndocuGrad Tips
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