Going on to Grad
School to…
Continue Your
Education??
 Will
earnings and
satisfaction go
up?
 Is there nothing
else to do?
 What is the cost?
 Do you have
specific career
goals?
“The past decade has
seen a 33% jump in
US graduate school
enrollment and an
80% surge in tuition
and fees. Combined
with a relatively weak
job market, about 1/3
of people with
masters are now
making less money
than a typical
bachelor’s degree
holder.” Jonathan Kaufman
jkaufman17@bloomberg.netDec12/07/2011
WORK FIRST?
 Recharge
your
batteries
 Develop
confidence
 Investigate a
field
What will help iron out the
Wrinkles?
How to Clarify My Decision
To Go To Grad School?

Related work experience in
your field.

Practical experienceinternships, undergraduate
research and volunteering.

Experience will enhance your
application making you a more
viable, competitive candidate.
It’s about Passion
CHOOSING A SCHOOL

Will prestige help?

Does Department
emphasize what you
want?

Investigate: attrition
rate, average time to
completion, your
teaching requirements,
language requirements,
placement rates
Do You Know What Program?

If you know the field you
are going into and if an
advanced degree is
required for entry then
grad school makes
perfect sense
If you still have
Questions

For most it is not clear cut. If you are not
sure of your career goals –Don’t go until
you are.
Choosing the
RIGHT Program

Academic Vs. Professional
 Academic
focus on original research
 Professional focus on practical applications

Masters Vs. Doctorates
 Masters=
take 1-3 years to earn
 Doctorates= can take up to 8 years!

For many fields the Masters may be sufficient.
For others the doctorate is necessary
 (Doctor
of Medicine, Juris Doctor…etc)
How to Find the
Right School

Look at Directories for
Grad Schools

Visit the schools,
meet with faculty or
other grad students

Evaluate
 Quality of the faculty
 Prestige of the school
 Cost and housing
 Job Opportunities
 Read
the catalog
 Consult with
faculty
 Talk with alumni
 Visit
 Speak to current
students
Consider Financial Aid


Complete financial aid applications EARLY
Other outside sources
 Often
very early deadlines
 Necessary to take graduate admission tests and to
obtain letters of recommendation the year prior


FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(available online)
Some schools also want you to complete the
College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile







Undergraduate GPA
in major
Recommendation
from known faculty
Undergraduate GPA
in Jr./Sr. year
GRE--Verbal
Related major
Overall GPA
Education/career
aspiration
ADMISSION CRITERIA
CONTINUED
 Applicant
known
 Other academic achievements
 Quality of undergraduate institution
 Personal Statement
 Interview
 Work experience
THEN CONSIDER
The number of
applications & the
mix of graduate
schools
MAXIMIZE YOUR
CHANCES
 Research
the Department
 Cultivate references
 Choose less competitive fields
 Look for up and coming schools
 Use personal contacts
 Write strong
 Start early
RequirementsGraduate Assessment Test

Plan to take 1 year ahead of time

Examples:
 GRE
(Graduate Record Exams)
 LSATS (Law School Admissions Test)
 GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions
Test)
 MCAT (Medical College Administrations Test)

Official Transcripts

Application Essay
 About
your accomplishments & Interests to the study
 Use enthusiasm, creativity and uniqueness
 Get it critiqued before turning in with application

2-3 Letters of Recommendation
 Give
your recommenders the correct forms with
stamped and addressed envelops or website
 Provide support info.
ALSO ...
 Study
for the Graduate test
 Have
personal statement reviewed
and answer what is asked
 Prepare
for the interview
Good Luck
GOOD LUCK
Getting in will make you so happy!