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Why do I want to go to graduate school? Is it for
the right reasons?
Students choose graduate school for many reasons, including intellectual
curiosity and professional advancement. Some choose grad school because
they aren't sure what to do or don't feel ready for a job. These aren't
good reasons. Graduate school requires an intense commitment of time and
money. If you're not sure that you're ready, then it's best to wait.
What are my career goals? Will graduate school assist
me in meeting my career goals?
Some careers, such as those in medicine, dentistry, and law, require education
beyond the bachelors degree. A job as a college professor, researcher,
or psychologist also requires an advanced degree.
What will I specialize in? What are my interests?
Whereas an undergraduate major is a broad introduction to a given field,
graduate school is very narrow and specialized. For example, grad school
in psychology requires choosing a specialization such as experimental,
clinical, counseling, developmental, social, or biological psychology.
Decide early because your choice determines the programs to which you'll
apply. Consider your interests. What courses did you especially like?
On what topics have you written papers? Seek advice from professors about
the differences among the various specialties in a given field. Inquire
about existing employment opportunities for each specialization.
Do I have the motivation for another two to seven years
of school?
Graduate school is different from college because it requires a higher
level of academic commitment. You must enjoy and excel at reading, writing,
and analyzing information. Speak with professors and graduate students
to get a better idea of what's involved in graduate study. Most first-year
graduate students are overwhelmed and remark that they had no idea of
what they were getting into. Seek a first-year student's perspective for
a reality check.
Do I have the academic and personal qualities to succeed?
Generally, it is expected that students will maintain at least a 3.0 average
during graduate school. Some programs deny funding to students with less
than a 3.33 average. Can you juggle multiple tasks, projects, and papers
at once? Can you manage time effectively?
Adapted from About.com
article
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When should I start thinking about applying?
Most graduate schools only admit students at the beginning of the fall
semester. (If you plan to stay "out" and work before going on to grad
school, you must still plan a year ahead; so apply this advice to yourself
as if you were still an undergraduate.) In the summer before and early
fall of your senior year, write to universities that interest you, requesting
information about each school's graduate programs and application forms
for admission and financial aid. Information is free.
How do I know which school would be best for me?
Although no grad school is going to make you decide what you want to specialize
in at the moment when you apply, some schools are better in particular
areas than others. Ask the professors who teach the courses which interest
you most. If your interest is general, ask about schools which are good
in most areas. Think about where you do or don't want to live for the
next five to eight years. Look at the information you get and see which
schools offer the best programs of study and the best financial aid.
Other factors to consider:
- Reputation : Is the program/institution nationally recognized? Recognized on a regional or local level?
For those of you who choose to look into program rankings, be advised that there is no single
rating for graduate or professional schools which is universally accepted. Read several different
reports and ask faculty members about the reputations of the programs you are considering.
- Program of Study : What emphasis does the program use? Theory? Research? Case Study?
Thesis vs. Non-Thesis? How many students are enrolled in the program? What is the student mix
and attrition rate?
- Geographic Location : Is this an area in which you want to spend two or more years? Ties that
you develop here could also lead to jobs in this area.
- Post-Grad School Employment : Where do graduates of the program typically find work? How
much assistance is provided by the institution to find employment?
- Faculty : Are the faculty conducting research in areas that are of interest to you?
Are professors seen on the cutting edge of their field? What have they published? What is the
student-faculty ratio? Have you visited the campus to meet with any faculty to discuss the program?
- Facilities : What type of housing is available? How extensive and available are labs and
facilities? How comprehensive is the library?
- Cost : How will I pay for school? What are the average starting salaries of graduates in this
field? Will I be able to support my loan payments? Is financial aid available and what sort of time
commitment will that require?
This article from About.com
may help narrow down your choices
What about the GRE's?
The Graduate Record Exam scores are important. They are what many admission
committees look at to decide how seriously to take your GPA, writing sample,
and letters of recommendation. Although it varies from school to school
whether GRE, GPA, or other parts of the application are given top priority,
you can't second-guess this and should assume the GRE to be important.
The Verbal score is the most important, although some schools also value
the special field score. Don't take the general and the subject on the
same day--plan ahead. Score in the 700's and your chances are good of
getting into a good graduate school, assuming your other credentials are
equally strong. Take the GRE in the winter of your junior year or the
summer before your senior year or in October. There are two good reasons
for doing this: If you don't do well, you can try again in December. You
can plan your applications based on your scores. (e.g., if you do well,
spend the application fee for Berkeley; if you do less well, save your
money.) ETS keeps scores for five years so even if you don't plan on going
right away, you might want to take the test while things are still fresh
in your mind.
Get more information on the GRE from the main
page.
To how many schools should I apply?
Finances frequently restict the number of applications you will submit.
Most schools require an application fee. The best bet is to apply to your
"dream" school--you'll always wonder if you don't apply--to two or three
good schools, and to one or two safety-net schools. If you do not get
into a school that is at the top of your list, you can always get an M.A.
and apply to a better school for the Ph.D.--a proven track record in grad
school can be a help.
Should I apply for the M.A. or the Ph.D. program?
Unless you are absolutely sure you want to stop at the M.A., always apply
for the Ph.D. Schools take M.A. applications less seriously for both admission
and financial aid. You aren't signing any contracts; you can always stop
at the M.A. level.
What do they mean by writing samples and personal
statements?
The former should be the best paper you ever wrote. And don't be afraid
to make it better. Take it back to your professor and re-write it. If
you are declaring an interest in a particular area common sense suggests
that the paper be in that area.
As you write your personal statement, put yourself in the position of
your audience, a member of the admissions committee. You want to show
the reader that you are smart and serious and ambitious but not conceited.
This is not a time for false modesty, but neither do you want to sound
over-confident. The personal statement is the only way the admissions
people get to know you as a person. Don't go out of your way to be different
merely for the sake of being different, but don't feel you have to be
very traditional in your approach. Let your readers get to know you. Have
at least one professor look over your statement. This checklist might
help you to draft your personal statement.
- There is no way around it. Writing about yourself is about the most difficult
and humiliating kind of writing that you will ever have to do. Simply
recognizing this fact at the outset may be a big help in getting you through
the ordeal. Grit your teeth and pretend, for the first draft, that you
are singing the praises of a close friend of yours. You might even try
writing the first draft in the third person, to see if that makes the
process any easier.
- Remember that you will also be judged--even if only
unconsciously--by they quality of your writing. A good personal essay
should not only be well-written, it should be (and appear to be) well
re-written. Make sure that you smooth over the rough edges and carefully
proofread before you print out your final copy.
- Don't be afraid to be
creative, but don't let creativity substitute for substance. If there
is something unique that you have done, or that has happened to you, by
all means put it in and highlight it. But don't push too far, that is,
don't make this unique thing take the place of the variety of accomplishments
that you need to show in order to make yourself look compelling to those
who will read your statement.
- Make sure others get to read the essay before
you print out the final copy. This is not just, or even primarily, for
proofreading, though this is important. You can miss the mark in an essay
like this by being too humble, or by being too arrogant. It is often easier
for someone else to pick up this kind of thing than for you to pick it
up yourself
What about letters of recommendation?
Most schools require two, many require three. Ask the professors who have
seen you do the best work (in your field) and who know you best. If a
person seems reluctant to write for you, take this as a polite "no" and
ask someone else. The more detailed and explicit a letter is, the more
good it will do you. Indeed, you should offer to give the professors copies
of the papers you wrote, to allow them the opportunity to refresh their
memories. If you've taken many courses in another field or have a minor,
a letter from a professor in another department might be OK; but in general,
stick to faculty members in the department you are applying to. Application
deadlines range from late December through mid-February. Ask your referees
in November. For each referee do the following: Make a list of the schools,
the deadlines, and the type of letter (i.e. mailed directly to grad school
or sealed and returned to applicant). Organize all the forms -- be sure
to fill in all the parts you are supposed to fill in and sign the part
about your right to read the letter (it looks better if you waive your
right). Paper-clip each form to the proper type of envelope--an envelope
which you have addressed and stamped. Provide phone numbers at which you
can be reached during any school breaks, should the referee have questions.
Put all this in a large manila envelope so the person is not forced to
keep track of separate bits of your stuff. Not only is all this much appreciated
academic courtesy, but you will get a much better, fuller letter if you
give the person enough time to do it right.
What about money?
In general, if a school wants you, the school will help you with some
sort of financial aid. This can range from a full fellowship with fee-waiver
(much more common at the grad level than undergrad) to a research or teaching
assistantship (very common) to a first-year loan with the promise of a
future assistantship. With times getting harder, money will get tighter.
Two ways of reading the money question: If you go to a place with NO aid,
you may be looked upon as a second-class citizen; Although you should
consider who offers you the best deal, remember that the quality of your
Ph.D. determines--to an enormous extent--your value on the job market.
Adapted from http://www.geneseo.edu/~english/gradfaq.htm
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