Part of your assessment will concern issues that many other students will not have to consider.

First, your financial situation may prevent you from going immediately to graduate school. You may not be able to afford the graduate student lifestyle, which usually entails subsisting off of a small stipend and little else. In addition, your family may be relying on you for financial support. Fortunately, your G.P.A. should allow you to secure employment that will allow you to support yourself and your family if necessary. Alternatively, you could pursue graduate work part time. These are tough decisions, and although you should confer with as many people as possible when making them, the ultimate decision is yours alone.