Researching and Applying to Graduate School
As graduation quickly approaches, seniors may wrestle with the age-old question "Which comes first, graduate school or employment?" For some, this is an easy decision to make; for others, additional thought and evaluation are required.
If you are confident that an advanced degree is required for entrance into your chosen field, you should apply for graduate school admission. Those students who have decided to go into medicine or law tend to fall into this category. Keep in mind that graduate school admission is generally very competitive. You may need to complete additional coursework or gain work experience to be considered a strong candidate for the graduate program of your choice.
If, on the other hand, your decision is based purely on default or lack of clear career direction, graduate school is not for you.
Some seniors decide to enter graduate school to avoid the complicated process of finding a job. This strategy can actually lead to more frustration and confusion. Many of these students find that graduate school did not provide the "answer" that they sought. Furthermore, very few employers are willing to take a risk on a misdirected candidate regardless of his/her educational credentials. If postponing a career decision is your reason for considering graduate study, schedule an appointment with a counselor in the CDC to discuss your options.
Some will argue that by attending graduate school immediately following undergraduate school, you will be more successful because your study skills are well developed and you are comfortable with the academic environment. Others will insist that you need a break and that work experience will help you to solidify your career goals.
It is important to consider the value of work experience prior to graduate school. Related work experience will add to your credentials and may strengthen you application for more competitive graduate programs. Work experience may also help you identify related career paths that were unfamiliar to you. This exposure may cause you to redirect your interests and to apply to different programs than you may have originally considered.
It is also realistic to consider the financial impact of graduate school when deciding whether to pursue a graduate degree. Many employers value continuing education and will help their employees fund advanced degrees on a part-time basis. Some employers will even pay 100% of educational expenses for their employees.
The decision to attend graduate school is yours to make; no one else can make it for you. Be sure to give this decision careful thought.
RESEARCHING GRADUATE SCHOOLS
Graduate degrees can be academic or professional. Academic degrees focus on original research, whereas professional degrees stress the practical knowledge and skills needed for a particular profession. Master level programs may take one to three years to earn, and doctorates usually take an additional four years to complete.
Once you have decided to attend graduate school, it is then time to begin researching potential universities and programs. Begin by talking with faculty who share your interests or by talking with a career counselor.
For a listing of accredited programs in your area of interest, start by looking through graduate reference guides such as the Peterson's Guides (available at the CDC). These directories will give you basic information on degrees offered, tuition, faculty, student-faculty ratio, and contact information. You might also check them out at www.petersons.com. Other Internet sites to assist your graduate school efforts can be found in the CDC graduate school handout located in the Career Library.
Your professors will also have advice about programs that you should consider. They may also have colleagues at some of the institutions that you are investigating who could provide you with insight into those universities.
After identifying programs of interest, you should write to these schools and request a graduate school catalogue, application materials, and financial aid information. Several graduate school guides are now available on the Internet. To help you research graduate programs, use the time line handout available in the CDC.
On-campus Visits
If possible, visit the campuses that most interest you. A first-hand look is essential for your top programs, and is recommended for your "medium" and "back-up" schools. If the school does not require an interview, request one. If the school does not allow interviews (some will interview by invitation only), arrange for a "campus visit" during which you can speak with faculty and students.
There is some debate about the role of interviews with faculty and students. Few programs require an interview as part of the application process, and the official rhetoric is that interviews play no part in admission. Graduate school interviews are just as likely to be for the benefit of the student - serving as an information-gathering session - as they are for the benefit of the admissions committee. To a large degree, then, interviews are informational only.
However, a positive interview can do nothing but strengthen your application. Use this time wisely to demonstrate to the professor(s) that your interests, goals, and skills are compatible with the program, will enhance the program, and/or will be furthered by the program. The interview also allows the professors to put a face and a personality with the numbers and words on paper.
EVALUATING GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS Use the following chart to help you determine the best "match" between your interests and various advanced degrees programs. |
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Criteria |
Program A |
Program B |
Program C |
Name of University Name of Department Degree Awarded (MA, MS, etc.)? Avg. time required to complete degree Acceptance rate (if known) Avg. GPA of most recent entering class Number of full time students Number of part time students Avg. age of students in program Faculty-student ratio Is faculty's research of interest to me? Tuition costs Are assistantships available? Are fellowships/grants available? Have I been offered financial assistance? Prestige of university (rate: high to low) Prestige of program (rate: high to low) What is the placement rate of graduates? What is the size of the library? Rating of computer facilities Desirable geographical location? Other factors important to me (list below) • • • • |
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APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOLS
CAREFULLY READ each school's material to make sure you file a complete and timely application. Application deadlines can range from August before your senior year to a few weeks before graduate school matriculation.
Graduate Admissions Tests
Graduate and professional schools usually require a specific admissions test in addition to other requirements.
The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is required by most universities for admission into their graduate programs. It measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical abilities. In preparing for the GRE, the Educational Testing Service recommends the following strategies:
• Become familiar with the test design and directions; this may be accomplished by working with practice tests available in the General Test booklet and through various preparatory manuals.
• All questions are of equal value; therefore do not spend a lot of time trying to answer questions you find extremely difficult.
• Your score is based on the number of questions answered correctly. It is in your best interest to "guess" or mark an answer even if you are not sure.
• Do not wait until the last five minutes to record your answers on the answer sheet; this often leads to mistakes.
For additional GRE information, visit the Website at http://www.gre.org
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required for admission into most management/business programs. It measures general verbal and mathematical skills. It does not require prior knowledge of business. The Graduate Management Admission Council recommends the following strategies in taking the GMAT:
• Before taking the test, become familiar with the test structure and questions by reviewing sample tests available in the GMAT bulletin and various preparation manuals.
• Try to answer questions in the order in which they are presented; if, however, you come across an extremely difficult question, skip it
and go back to it if time permits. Most examinees finish about 75% of the questions asked.
• Your test will be scored by awarding one point for each question answered correctly and zero points for questions not answered. You will lose one-fourth of a point for every wrong answer; therefore, if you do not have a "good guess," it may be wise to skip the question.
To learn more about the GMAT and planning for an MBA, visit the MBA Explorer WebPages at http://www.gmat.org
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) assists law schools in assessing the academic promise of their applicants. The LSAT measures reading comprehension and analytical/logistical reasoning. For more information on the LSAT, visit the web site at http://www.lsac.org
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is an objective measure of science knowledge and its application of reasoning skills considered important for the study and practice of medicine.
Other tests you may be requested to take, based on the program you are applying to, are: Miller’s Analogies Test, Dental Admission Test, Optometry College Admission Test, Pharmacy College Admission Test and PRAXIS (formerly the National Teacher Examination).
Do not to wait until the last moment to take these tests, as your scores may not be received in time for your application deadlines. The CDC has applications available for the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT. You should plan to take the necessary test(s) by the preceding fall with the exception of the MCAT, which should be taken during the end of your junior year.
Transcripts
Graduate schools will require official transcripts for completion of your application. Contact the Registrar's Office to request your transcript be mailed.
Letters of Recommendation
Most graduate schools will request two or three letters of recommendation. Recommendations from faculty are essential for academically oriented programs. Professional programs, such
as business, law, and medicine, may request letters from professionals in their respective fields.
When selecting people to write recommendations for you, be sure to consider those who know you or your work well. To request a recommendation letter, you should schedule an appointment with the faculty member/professional to discuss your goals and plans. You should provide each person with your resume or a summary sheet of your accomplishments. After discussing your plans, you should then ask the faculty member/professional if he/she would write a letter on your behalf. Remember, faculty members tend to get very busy during the end of each semester, so do not wait until the last minute to approach them. If they agree, give them the recommendation letter form.
Be sure to provide reference writers with a stamped, addressed envelope.
Application Essays
Writing an essay or personal statement is often the most difficult part of the application process. Requirements vary widely in this regard.
An essay or personal statement for an application should be a statement of your goals and interests. When a "personal statement" is required, the possibilities are almost unlimited. You should develop a clear statement demonstrating interest and understanding of your chosen field. Your essay should reflect your writing abilities. More importantly, it should reveal the clarity, focus, and depth of your thinking.
There are two main approaches to organizing an essay. You can outline the points you want to cover and then expand on them, or you can put your ideas down on paper as they come to you, going over them, eliminating certain sentences, and moving others around until you achieve a logical sequence. Making an outline will probably lead to a well-organized essay, whereas writing spontaneously may yield a more inspired piece of writing.
Admissions committees may try to evaluate a number of things from your statement including:
• Motivation and commitment to a field of study
• Expectations with regard to the program and career opportunities
• Writing ability
• Major areas of interest
• Research and/or work experience
• Educational background
• Immediate and long-term goals
• Reasons for deciding to pursue graduate education in a particular field and at a particular institution
• Maturity
• Personal uniqueness - what you would add to the diversity of the entering class
It is important to have someone critique your essay. Your adviser and those who write your letters of recommendation may be very helpful in critiquing your writing. If they are in the field you plan to pursue, they will be able to tell you what things to stress and what things to keep brief. A career counselor in the CDC can also help evaluate your statement. Do not be surprised, however, if you get differing opinions on the content of your essay. Take it all into consideration, but only you can decide on the best way of presenting yourself.
If there is information in your application that might reflect badly on you, such as poor grades or a low admission test score, it is better to address it in your essay. Failure to do so may eliminate you from consideration. You can also do this on a separate sheet entitled, "Addendum," which you could attach to the application, or in a cover letter that you enclose. In either form, your explanation should be short and to the point, avoiding long, tedious excuses. Try to keep your content as positive as possible.
Essays should be typed. It is usually acceptable to attach pages to your application if the space provided is insufficient. Neatness, spelling, and grammar are critical.
Admissions Decisions
Most committees will review your application using the following criteria:
• GPA
• Graduate admission test scores
• Undergraduate curriculum
• Reputation of undergraduate institution
• Overall content of application
• Timeliness of application materials
• Level of involvement in research, extracurricular activities, and volunteer services
• Previous work experience (especially for MBA programs)
• Strength of recommendation letters
• Interview