Pre-Graduate School Advising

Transcription

1 Pre-Graduate School Advising

2 Pre-Graduate School Advising 1. Graduate School: Is it for Me (Now)? 2. Master s or PhD? 3. Choosing Your School 4. Timeline 5. Applying 6. Financing 7. Gap Year

3 Graduate School: Is it for Me (Now)? What are good reasons to go to graduate school? What are poor reasons to go to graduate school? Major Commitment Ask Yourself If: You understand what graduate school involves and what it costs Graduate school really is necessary for you to achieve your professional goals You are sure you know what you ll be studying and have researched the programs and departments you are applying to You know how you will finance graduate school (loans, fellowships, assistantships)

4 Master s or PhD How do you decide which degree is right for you? Determine career goals Find out requirements in your field by doing some basic internet research, ask admissions staff at schools, conduct informational interviews If unsure, you may choose to hold off on grad school to give yourself time to better discover and define your goals

5 Master s or PhD Types and examples Why get this degree? Doctoral Academic or research (Ph.D., Ed.D), Professional (M.D., J.D.) To research, teach at the university level, is necessary for profession Masters Academic or research (MPhil), Professional (MPA, MSW, MBA, MEM, MSE), Terminal (MFA) To research, is necessary for profession, is an intermediate step before doctoral, broaden your knowledge of an issue/subject area, increase your skill set for a job Time to complete degree 3-8 years, full-time 1-3 years, full-time

6 Master s or PhD Degree Description Test Required MA/MS Master of Arts/Sciences GRE MPhil Advanced research degree GRE MBA MPA/MPP Master of Business Administration Master of Public Administration/Policy GMAT GRE MSW Master of Social Work GRE ME Master of Engineering GRE M.Ed Master of Education GRE JD Juris Doctor; Doctor of Jurisprudence LSAT MD Medical Doctor MCAT PhD Doctor of Philosophy GRE

7 Masters or PhD? Career Pathways Masters PhD Administrator Faculty member Manager Research Scholar Analyst Analyst Nonprofit/Corporate Academia

8 Choosing Your School Reference books and websites (Peterson s Guide to Graduate and Professional Programs) Professional Societies Faculty Admissions Graduate students Professional and academic journals (where notable scholars in your field teach)

9 Choosing Your School Things to consider Admissions Requirements Interests and Reputation of Faculty Course Offerings Student Life Geographical Location Facilities Finances

10 Time Timelines Tasks Year 3, Semester 1 Start researching programs Explore sources of financial aid Register for standardized tests and take practice tests Year 3, Semester 2 Take actual tests Decide whom to ask for letters of recommendation Write a rough draft of your statement of purpose Year 4, Semester 1 Request letters of recommendation (6 weeks) Have various people read your statement of purpose Complete application online Ask registrar s office to forward transcripts Apply for fellowships Make sure applications are complete Year 4, Semester 2 Be available so schools can reach you Visit campuses (if feasible) Talk to faculty and students Once formally accepted, decline other acceptances

11 Application Process Application consists of: Online application Office transcripts Statement of purpose/personal statement Letters of Recommendation (3) Application Fee Test Scores (3 years) Financial aid forms

12 Financing Country Average Cost of Grad School/Year US S$38,000-55,000 China S$4,000-20,000 Germany S$1,000 2,000

13 Financing You are considered independent student for graduate school you do not need your parents financial information Less need-based aid than undergrad Fellowships, Scholarships, Assistantships awarded by individual academic departments

14 Gap Year Reasons to Take a Gap Year Transition into the real world Learn adaptability, independence, and other life skills Explore possible career interests Add experience to your resume or grad school applications Gap Year Options Internship programs for recent grads Full-time/Part-time employment Teaching Programs Volunteering/Service Programs Cultural Exchange Programs

15 Gap Year Where do I Begin? Set your priorities (Why are you doing this?) Evaluate your needs (What are your goals?) Determine your strengths (What are you good at?) Research your ideas (What are your options?) Plan ahead and start applying!

16 Questions

17 For More information Contact: Prof Nancy Gleason Global Affairs Tse Hao Guang Deans Fellow Navid Ladha Centre for International and Professional Experience (CIPE)