graduate school

Meaning

Graduate school (often shortened to 'grad school') is a division of a university that awards advanced academic degrees, such as Master's degrees and Doctorates (PhDs). It is attended after completing an undergraduate bachelor's degree.

Examples

• She is applying to graduate school to study clinical psychology.

  She is applying to graduate school to study clinical psychology.

• Graduate school requires a lot more independent research than college.

  Graduate school requires a lot more independent research than college.

• He decided to work for a few years before going to graduate school.

  He decided to work for a few years before going to graduate school.

• What are your plans after you finish graduate school?

  What are your plans after you finish graduate school?

• Getting into a top-tier graduate school is highly competitive.

  Getting into a top-tier graduate school is highly competitive.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to study in a graduate school.

  ✓ I want to go to graduate school.

  When talking about attending graduate school in general, we omit the article 'a' and use the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'go to graduate school' or 'go to grad school').

• ✗ He is doing his postgraduate school.

  ✓ He is in graduate school.

  'Graduate school' refers to the institution itself. To refer to the academic program, say 'doing postgraduate studies' or 'doing graduate work.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• After completing her bachelor's degree, she decided to go to ___.

  💡 The place where you study for a Master's or PhD.

  Show answer

  graduate school

• Getting a letter of recommendation is crucial for your ___ application.

  💡 Advanced university education.

  Show answer

  graduate school