Definition

Noun: A division of a university, or a separate institution, that provides advanced academic programs and awards postgraduate degrees, such as master's degrees and doctorates, following the completion of a bachelor's degree.

Usage

"Grad school" is an informal, commonly used term in American English. It refers specifically to the institution or the experience of pursuing education beyond an undergraduate (bachelor's) level. * She decided to apply to grad school to get her Master's in Engineering. * Life in grad school involves a lot of research and writing.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in grad school": to be currently enrolled in a postgraduate program.
  • He's been in grad school for three years working on his PhD.
• "to go to grad school": to begin or attend a postgraduate program.
  • After working for two years, she plans to go to grad school.

Variants and Related Words

• Graduate school (noun): The formal, full term for "grad school." The meanings are identical.
  • The university's graduate school has a strong reputation.
• Graduate student (noun): A person who is studying in a grad school program.
  • As a graduate student, her tuition was covered by a teaching assistantship.
• Postgraduate study (noun): A more formal synonym, common in British English, for education after a first degree.

Synonyms

• Postgraduate school
• Postgraduate studies (refers more to the activity than the institution)

Related Phrases

• "Grad school applications": The process and materials required to apply for postgraduate programs.
  • Finishing her grad school applications was a huge relief.
• "Grad school advisor": A professor who guides a graduate student's academic work and research.
  • Her grad school advisor helped her publish her first paper.

Noun

1. a school in a university offering study leading to degrees beyond the bachelor's degree