Remember the smell of the pages of a book? The Internet has certainly changed the way in which we find out about the world around us. There was a time, not so long ago, when to research any of kind of purchase or even important life decision a person would first turn to a magazine, a guide or a book to gather information about the subject at hand. Things have changed.
The Internet is but one, albeit the most important, aspect of the modern communications revolution. With the launch of Telstar in 1962, the ease of international communications was greatly improved and the growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web in the early Eighties transformed the landscape beyond all recognition. How does this relate to searching for your potential graduate program? Well, the forthcoming QS World Grad School Applicants Research 2007 report demonstrates beyond all doubt that the use of the Internet is the primary tool used by applicants to research their international graduate program.
The QS World Grad School Applicants Research 2007 is compiled from responses from more than 3,000 candidates attending the QS World Grad School Tour in 2006. As such, it provides a unique look into the thoughts and preferences of those considering graduate programs beginning this year. This year’s Survey underlines two particularly important facets of the research that underpin choosing an international graduate program. Firstly, as already indicated, the importance of the Internet in gathering material and information by candidates; and secondly, despite the dominance of the Internet in providing such information, the continuing use of other sources such as education fairs and contact with former students by students wishing to make an informed decision about their study destination.
According to the 2007 Survey, whilst potential graduate students sought much of their information via institutional websites or Internet search engines, an impressive range of other sources was routinely consulted to make a more informed choice. Table One indicates just how wide this range of information sources actually is.
Table One: Sources of Research on Graduate Programs
Information Resource | Average Weighting of Importance (4.0) |
Institutional Websites | 3.5 |
Admissions Officers | 3.3 |
Education Fairs | 3.2 |
Alumni Contact | 3.1 |
Search Engines | 3.1 |
Rankings | 3.0 |
Institutional Literature | 3.0 |
Education Agents | 2.8 |
CD-ROMS | 2.5 |
Source: QS World Grad School Applicants Research 2007
The number of students turning to institutional websites for their basic gathering of information on graduate programs is certainly increasing every year and with it, the level of sophistication of such websites is also increasing. Features such as intuitive “frequently asked questions” are now commonplace, ranking the most common issues amongst potential graduate students according to the number of questions received by topic and subject. Similarly, institutional websites in many countries include registration areas where more detailed information is available for students, covering such areas as student life, student housing issues and career opportunities.
However, given that the decision to study at the graduate level is often complex, particularly for those students considering moving to another country for their studies, it is only reasonable to expect that many sources of information and research be consulted before a decision is made. With nine separate sources separately listed in the Survey as being of importance to prospective graduate students, the decision- making process is perhaps more complicated than previously thought. Though the Internet, through institutional websites and search engines, dominates the number of sources of information referred to, face-to-face contact clearly retains an important role.
The QS World Grad School Applicants Research 2007 also indicates that the quality of the information resources prospective graduate students consult varies widely. Undoubtedly, the face-to-face contact that many seek, such as direct contact with Admissions or Student Recruitment Officers is regarded very highly indeed. According to the Survey, 85% of respondents felt that such consultation was either quite useful or very useful, whilst contact with alumni of universities was regarded similarly highly, with 76% of respondents indicating that such contact was either quite useful or very useful in helping them make a decision on their graduate program or institution.
Whichever resource is your preference ahead of choosing your graduate program, one thing is clear – the variety of information sources available is impressive. The Internet may well be your first choice to consult for your international graduate program, but balancing that with face-to-face interviews, attendance at an education fair and reference to printed guides or university rankings will enable you to make a fully informed decision about your study plans.