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| Career Library: Grad School Resources > Guide |
You have successfully completed you baccalaureate degree and are at a junction in the road of life. You must make a choice. You've made the choice of going beyond the baccalaureate degree. Advanced knowledge and skill would position you to seek and obtain a competitive job, one that provides exceptional pay, advancement opportunities, status and ability to follow your passion. Here are five questions and added information that need consideration as you prepare for graduate school.
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Where do I find information about graduate schools?
» » If you are interested in comprehensive information, check out the "Peterson's Guide to Graduate and Professional Programs" - www.petersons.com. More than 1,600 institutions are identified from their resource for master and doctoral degree programs. Also, the guide provides information on a wide range of topics such as application processes, research grants, assistantships and curriculum at all accredited colleges and universities in the US, Canada, Europe and Mexico.
» » If you are interested in the rankings of graduate schools, review what the US News says about the best graduate training programs at colleges and universities. Information is updated on a regular basis. Also, consider reading The Gourman Report Published by Random House, it contains more than 105 graduate programs with evaluations and rankings.
» » If you are searching for personal information about a particular graduate program, you might want to speak with a faculty member or advisor. Many times, these individuals have insight about post-baccalaureate programs and can serve as a mentor in the selection process. They are informed individuals and have a wealth of information to share. |
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How do I select a graduate program or professional school?
| Selecting an advanced educational program is a matter of personal choice. It is generally a program where you "fit in best." Your best fit is based upon personal needs, goals and expectations. Select a training program where you're considered a part of the "team of learners" and where you are accepted for your uniqueness and individuality. Consider these variables when selecting a graduate training program: degrees offered, special training, timetable of events, admission tests, letters of recommendation requirements, interview opportunities, portfolio submissions, visitation opportunities, essay requirements, faculty research resources and commitment of the university to the graduate training program. |
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If you are asked to visit the graduate school of your choice, what types of questions might the selection committee ask?
- Why are you interested in this type of specific or general training program?
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Describe yourself.
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What are your strengths and weaknesses?
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What are your career goals? Where do you want to be 10 years from today?
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Describe a major achievement in your life. How rewarding was it?
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How do you plan to manage yourself during graduate school when there are so many tasks needing completion in a short time period?
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Tell us about your work habits. What strategies do you use to accomplish the objectives/goals in a class? How do you monitor your progress in class?
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Describe any writing or research you have done.
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Give us two compelling reasons why you will be successful in this graduate program.
During an interview for graduate school, candidates are given opportunities to direct questions to the interview team. Here are several questions we might ask of the interview team.
» What are the program's goals and objectives? What is its theoretical basis?
» What kind of advising, mentoring, supervision is available through the training program?
» What are the research opportunities in the training program?
» What percentage of your graduate students complete all degree requirements within the time frame suggested in the graduate school catalog.
» Where are the program's graduates finding employment? What types of agencies, institutions or corporations are hiding them?
» Does the graduate program offer financial aid through assistantships, teaching or research?
» As faculty members, what do you like about your training program?
» Where does the department see itself ten years from now?
» Can I speak with a few of your current students?
During the application process, you may be expected to write an essay about your present or future goals. Try these tips in writing your essay:
» Tell your story.
» Write about what you are expected to write about. Keep to the assigned topic.
» Be concise and specific.
» Use the essay to highlight your most satisfying achievements.
» Demonstrate how you are different than other candidates. Difference is in and is good!
» Share a unique experience and explain how it is related to you goals.
» Be honest and genuine in the tone of your writing. Attitudes come through in essays.
» Have someone proofread your essay for clarity and errors.
» Read your essay backwards to check sentence syntax and language rules. |
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What are the financial costs of attending graduate school?
| Costs vary. At a private university costs for graduate education run significantly higher than the costs of attending a state supported graduate training program. Additionally, there are the costs of housing, books, meals, clothing, allowances and personal items. Also, graduate education costs vary in amount from the masters degree and the doctorate degree. Graduate students can help defray the costs of training through scholarships. Research assistantships, savings, grants, fellowships, teaching assistantships and loans. Consult with the university's financial aid office to determine your best route of defraying graduate school costs. |
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How do you get faculty and mentors to write exceptional letters of recommendation?
Sometimes admissions' committees will critically examine the letters of recommendation submitted in your behalf. What you want from the writers are strong, enthusiastic, and authentic statements about who you are and what you intend to accomplish in life. At some institutions, letters of recommendation carry as much weight as a standardized test score. Weak letters of support suggest that you might not have the abilities to successfully complete program requirements.
Need a positive and a strong letter of support? Try this suggestion. Give the person writing a recommendation for you a personal statement of who you are and what your strengths and weaknesses might be. Your personal information will provide the writer the data to write a recommendation which is non-canned. As a potential graduate student, you are looking for an original letter. Consider providing the writer with the following information:
» Personal / career / life goals
» Vision, beliefs, or philosophy about your career or academic major
» Technical skills - statistical analysis, writing, computer science, problem solving
» Outstanding accomplishments / achievements / awards
» Sample(s) or written class work and / or publications
» People and communication skills
» Leadership and initiative abilities
» Team work and cooperative attitudes
» Independence to work alone and follow own ideas
» Self-management skills
» Commitment to field of study |
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