Graduate school Guide

Transcription

1 Graduate schl Guide Chsing a Field, Applying t Schls, Actin Plans The Best Way t Prepare fr Graduate Schl! Radfrd University Career Center (540)

2 Intrductin After fur (r mre) years f study at the undergraduate level, cllege students must chse between the jb market r additinal academic training. Assess the value f a graduate degree in terms f persnal/prfessinal develpment, earning ptential, entry int a prfessin, advancement and cmpetitiveness. Dn t assume that yu can t get int a prgram. Yu generally d nt need t have an undergraduate degree in the same field r a high GPA. If yu are lacking in ne area, cmpensate in anther. Cnsider taking time ff t gain real wrld experience if yu aren t ready t cmmit t grad schl. If graduate schl is in yur plans, start the explratin prcess early because many graduate prgrams have deadlines as early as December fr admissin in the Fall. RU 1

3 Chsing A Field f Graduate Study Since graduate schl requires specializing in a field, yu must first decide n the field yu re interested in. Dn t underestimate this step! Many grad students switch prgrams because they made faulty assumptins abut their field f interest. Talk t faculty, graduate students, the CELCD, and prfessinals in a variety f fields. Sme resurces include: RU Career Services has several bks and directries. Petersn s r Barrn s guides t graduate prgrams Accunting T Zlgy, Graduate Fields Defined The Cllege Bard Index f Majrs and Graduate Degrees The Official Guide t MBA Prgrams Lking at Law Schl Cllege Surce Online Abut.cm Guide t Graduate Schl Admissins Gradview.cm GradSchls.cm Web U.S. Higher Educatin Internet Legal Resurce Guide: Law Schl Rankings US News and Wrld Reprt Best Grad Schls RU 2

4 Hw Many Schls t Apply T? It s cmmn t apply t 4-10 schls. This depends n yur qualificatins, willingness t relcate, field f interest, etc. Apply t a range f the fllwing categries: 1-3 extremely desirable prgrams with very cmpetitive admissin standards. Varius realistic prgrams that meet yur needs. 1-3 prgrams yu are cnfident in being admitted t (Safety Schls). Chsing A Schl A clser lk shuld be taken at the curriculum, research, and faculty, as they play a majr rle in the reputatin r quality f a prgram. The curriculum shuld be able t meet yur expectatins regarding what yu hpe t gain frm yur experience. Talking t current students and faculty can give yu a better picture f what the prgram ffers. Als, the graduate catalg will detail curses and requirements. Remember, the university s undergraduate reputatin has little t d with its graduate prgrams. Sme questins t cnsider are: RU 3

5 Chsing A Schl (cnt.) Overall Prgram What will this graduate degree d fr me that my undergraduate degree wn t? What characteristics distinguish this prgram frm thers in the same field? What is the average length f time students spend in the prgram? Des the prgram require summer attendance? What are the ttal credit hurs required t cmplete the degree? (Cmpare this t ther prgrams.) Des the prgram lean tward thery r applicatin? Is the prgram accredited? (i.e. certified by a natinal bard) What pprtunities fr leadership are prvided? Des the prgram require a thesis, dissertatin r passing cmprehensive exams? What planned practical experiences are included in the prgram? (Ask fr examples f internship placements.) What percentages f students in the graduate prgram attend full time/part time? What is the level f student retentin? What is the student satisfactin with prgram? Als cnsider student gender/ ethnic diversity, academic ability, and prfessinal accmplishments f graduates. May I have the names f current graduate students s that I can discuss it with them? RU 4

6 Chsing A Schl (cnt.) Faculty What is the size f the faculty, and what is the faculty/student rati? Are the faculty teaching and/r cnducting research? Cnsider hw much time they will be able t invest in yu. What have faculty members published? Hw ften d they publish? Des the faculty fcus n an area that is f interest t yu? What is their training? Financial Aid What is the cst f attending (cmpare t ther schls)? What types f financial aid are ffered: fellwships, grants, schlarships, assistantships, part-time jbs, subsidized (gvernment pays interest while yu re in schl) and unsubsidized lans? Hw many are awarded each year? What are the prcess and deadlines fr applying fr the financial aid ptins? What criteria are used fr chsing recipients? Other surces f financial aid include: American Assciatin f Medical Clleges ( medlans) American Assciatin f University Wmen ( FastWeb ( Gradview ( GrantsNet ( Kaplan Educatinal Centers ( Petersns ( RU 5

7 Chsing A Schl (cnt.) Student Life and Campus Facilities What are the scial and cultural activities f the department? Hw adequate are the library, cmputer, and study facilities? What abut cst, i.e., cst f living, ut-f-state tuitin, rent, n/ff-campus husing, car insurance, and ther miscellaneus expenses? Career Infrmatin Where are alumni emplyed? What can yu tell me abut last year s graduates? What career planning and jb hunting assistance is available? What will be yur earning ptential? Admissins Requirements What is the relative imprtance f admissins test scres, undergraduate grades, recmmendatins, persnal statements, related experience, and ther requirements? Hw imprtant is related-wrk experience? What experience is the prgram lking fr? RU 6

8 Applying Entrance criteria vary. Deadlines can begin a year befre yur entrance date. Determine deadlines fr graduate schl applicatins, financial aid, fellwship, and assistantship applicatins. Send in applicatins early. Criteria fr admissins will typically include: Undergraduate GPA (Official transcripts sent frm all clleges attended) Cmpletin f Prerequisites Admissin Tests: GRE ( GMAT ( LSAT ( MCAT ( Study guides can be fund at Kaplan, the CELCD, the library, etc.) 2-3 Letters f Recmmendatin: Give reference ample time. Request mre letters than needed in case ne desn t get finished in time. Send a thank-yu t shw appreciatin. Persnal Statement f Gals Admissin Essays. Tpics vary, but generally, what is lked fr is: mtivatin and cmmitment t a field f study career expectatins writing ability areas f interest research and/r wrk experience educatinal backgrund immediate and lng-term gals reasns fr graduate study in specific field and institutin persnal uniqueness/maturity Relevant Wrk Experience and/r Undergraduate Research Submitting a Resume Interviews, Prtflis, r Auditins RU 7

9 Actin Plan Start mnths befre yu wish t begin graduate schl As sn as yu decide Grad Schl is right fr yu Clarify career bjectives and determine if graduate schl is the best chice Get t knw yur faculty; ask fr advice Start taking yur studies seriusly and plan t take relevant curses Cnsider cmpleting internships, vlunteering and ther ut-f-class experiences Research graduate and prfessinal schl prgrams Develp yur applicatin prcess timeline Let the Career Services Center help yu thrugh this prcess Cntinue ding the abve thrughut this prcess RU 8

10 Actin Plan (CONT.) Summer Befre Senir Year Sign up fr required admissins test(s) ffered in fall (GRE,GMAT, etc.) Prepare fr and practice t take the admissins test(s) Obtain infrmatin and applicatin materials frm prspective schls Cnsult with prfessinals in the field Research schlarships, fellwships Fall Visit institutins if pssible; talk t faculty and graduate students Take the required admissins tests (yu may be able t retake these) Verify deadlines fr admissins and financial aid materials Secure letters f recmmendatin and cmpse yur persnal statement Order transcripts frm all pst-secndary schls Cmplete applicatins frms Re-evaluate yur gals and yur prgress Winter Submit Graduate Schl applicatins (may be earlier depending n date) Submit Financial Aid applicatins Fllw-up with institutins t cnfirm that they have received yur materials Prepare fr persnal interviews if required Spring Definitely visit campuses, if yu have nt dne s, t see if this is where yu want t spend the next segment f yur life Evaluate ffers and decide; cntact the Chamber f Cmmerce t see what each lcatin ffers Prepare t transitin (i.e. find a place t live, get familiar with the area, cmplete the FAFSA and ther financial aid, etc.) RU 9