Even if you know that graduate school is for you, you have to decide whether now is the right time. Should you work first and apply only after you have experience, or should you go straight through? You may wonder "If I don't go to graduate school now, will I be motivated to go later?" That's hard to answer, but the types of graduate programs available have increased exponentially in the past decade, and, more importantly, the means of delivery of these programs has expanded. It's now relatively common to have alternatives to traditional full-time classes during the day, such as evening and weekend programs for working professionals, so graduate school won't be an "all-or-nothing" situation if you decide to pursue it later.

Many companies consider continuing and graduate education a requirement for career advancement, and are willing to pay for graduate programs that they approve. By postponing graduate studies, entering the workforce, and taking advantage of these opportunities later, you may find yourself finishing a graduate degree through an accelerated program that is completely paid for by your employer. However, if you pursue graduate school later while you are working full-time, in general you will only be able to complete one or two courses a semester, which means that it will take several years to complete even a master's degree. Quitting work to go to school full-time is a very difficult decision, and not one that many students make.

Ask yourself these questions before making your decision:

	Are you reasonably sure of your career goals, or is there a strong possibility that you could change your mind after a taste of the working world?
	Would related work experience help you clarify ambiguous career goals?
	Is an advanced degree a prerequisite to your chosen career? The doctorate is mandatory for practicing medicine or law, for example.
	Would you have difficulty readjusting to student life after a break?
	Do you have a strong GPA? Would work experience enhance your application credentials by offsetting mediocre grades or test scores? In the case of some professional schools, admissions committees are generally as interested in your work background as in your "numbers."
	Will it be easier to enter graduate school in your field directly after college or after gaining work experience?
	Is there a possibility that a future employer might pay for you to attend graduate school?

In general, you should work first if the graduate school of your choice prefers work experience, if you cannot afford to go to graduate school now, and it's too late to apply for scholarships, grants, fellowships and assistantships. If, on the other hand, you are absolutely sure you want a job that requires an advanced degree, or you're concerned that you won't be able to return to student life once you start earning real money, then there might be no better time than the present.