Location, Location, Location
If you are flexible about where you can live and don’t have to take anyone else into account, you have a wide range of program location options. Most traditional programs have residency requirements; you will need to spend a certain number of years or semesters at the university.

• Would you do better in a small-town environment that would allow you to focus, or do you need the stimulation of a big city?
• What are your options for living arrangements?

If you have a family, plan to continue working full time, or are very involved in your community, then a school that is local or online may be a better fit. If you travel a lot for work or can't fit a strict school schedule into your life, a distance-learning or online program can give you the flexibility you need.

The Long Run
Typically, a full-time PhD program involves

• 2 to 3 years or more of coursework on top of master’s-level work, which could add another 2 years of coursework
• Preliminary/qualifying exams
• Writing and defending a dissertation

For each program, determine how much time you will need to spend per week to be successful. What is the typical time to completion? If you have extensive teaching requirements, that can delay your progress.

Maximizing Your Chances for Success
It’s wise to apply to several programs, including one or two “safety” schools and at least one “long-shot” school, in addition to schools where your scores and grades and background are typical for entrants into the program.

The selection process by the PhD committee can be political. It’s possible to be rejected for reasons that have nothing to do with the strength of your application or your academic credentials. In this regard, it’s useful to apply to a number of programs.

Online or distance-learning programs often have set admissions criteria and do not cap the number of students they can take at any time.

NOTE: If your field is very competitive and your qualifications are less than stellar, consider switching to a less popular subfield. You may have a better chance of being accepted into a good program and receiving more aid.

Up to one half of doctoral students do not complete their programs. Therefore, when exploring PhD programs, pay attention to the requirements for graduation. Are you reasonably confident that you can meet them? Here are some questions to ask:

• What is the program’s attrition rate?
• What kinds of jobs do the graduates get? Does the university help its students to network?
• What kinds of facilities (libraries, labs) and student services does the university provide to help you be successful?