Bryan Hannegan did just that. Currently a Ph.D. student in earth system science at the University of California, Irvine, and president of the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students, he took the latter part of his senior year in college to visit graduate programs. He queried faculty members about their fields and met with students to ask candid questions about their departments. If visiting is not an option, get a feel for the department by looking at catalogues and Web sites. Talk with the admissions staff, faculty members, and students via e-mail or phone.
Graduate departments have distinct academic focuses.
For example, students who come from comprehensive colleges won't be accustomed to intense research environments. Suddenly they find themselves thrown into lab situations where their major objective is to work closely with a professor. The transition is a steep one, Associate Dean Thomas E. Callarman at Arizona State University in Tempe points out. Graduate departments that offer professional degrees in law, education, and business have different objectives that produce a different feel. Your academic needs might decide for you which one you'll attend, but if you're aware of the focus beforehand, the transition won't hit so hard.