Thinking About Going to
Graduate School?
Things you ought to know, but might not
have thought to ask
Thinking About Going To
Graduate School?
 Is Graduate School right for you?
 Choosing a program.
 Applying and getting in.
 Resources.
Is Grad School Right For You?
Should I or shouldn’t I?
 Questions You Need
To Answer.
 The Economic
Factor.
Should I Go?
Reasons to Go:
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You have a passionate interest
in a topic or an unusual
combination of topics.
You enjoy research and/or
creative activity.
You seek a richer and more
satisfying life.
You have an interest that
requires a graduate degree.
You want to ensure continued
career advancement.
You want to earn more money.
Reasons NOT to Go:
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You’re going to grad school to
please someone else.
You’re clueless about what you
want to study or what you want
to do once you’ve earned an
advanced degree.
You’re secretly trying to avoid
finding a “real job”.
You only want to earn more
money.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Average Annual Earnings by Workers 25-64 year olds by
Educational Attainment 1997-1999
Bachelors
$52,200
Master's
$62,300
109,100
Professional
$89,000
Doctorate
$0
$20,000
$40,000
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
Cited in CGS Communicator based on US Census Bureau Data
1998-2000
Preparation- Getting Started
 1. Decide what discipline and sub-area(s)
interest you.
 Discuss career options/interests with advisors and
professors.
 Go online- research career opportunities and job
market forecasts (e.g, Occupational Outlook Handbk)
 Decide the type of degree you’ll need- master’s or
doctoral
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
The People
Things to consider:
 Does the expertise of the faculty provide a wellbalanced representation of relevant sub disciplines ?
 Does the faculty have professional experience outside
the academic community?
 Are the faculty well-known? What have they published
recently?
 What is the faculty/student ratio, and are the faculty
accessible to the students?
Talk to advisors, use web and suggested resources on handout
research faculty (look up publications, vitae. etc.)
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
The Program
Things to consider:
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Look at the required and elective courses. Will they suit your
educational and professional goals?
Is a thesis or final exam required? Is there some sort of practical
experience or internship included?
How long is the program, and how many credits are required? The
same program can vary in credit hours from one school to another
What is the reputation of the school in general and what is the
reputation of the program within the field?
Is the program accredited and if so, by whom?
What kinds of jobs do graduates obtain?
Look at information provided by programs, discuss with advisors, talk
with graduate students in the program.
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
The Place
Things to consider:
 Do you want to attend a large or small school?
Do you prefer a large or small program?
 In what geographic area would you like to attend
school? Would you like the school to be located
in an urban or rural setting?
 What activities does the community offer?
 Is graduate housing available? How difficult is it
to find off-campus housing? What public
transportation is available?
CHOOSING A PROGRAM
The Price
Things to consider:
 What is the cost of the program? What are
the hidden costs?
 How much financial assistance is available
in the form of assistantships, loans, and
fellowships?
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
Absolute, surefire rules for getting admitted
into the program of your choice.
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
Reality check…
There are no absolute, surefire rules that
will assure your admittance to your
program of choice– but you can increase
your odds of success if you are aware of a
few things that are almost always weighed
in making admission decisions
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
What factors are almost always considered in
admission?
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Your GSR-Grades, Scores, Recommendations.
Personal statement.
Research, relevant professional experience.
Funding, fit, available space.
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
What is a good GPA?
 There is no GPA so good that it will assure you of
admittance.
 GPA requirements vary. Overall GPA, GPA in your last
60 hours, GPA in courses in your major and courses in
supporting areas may be considered separately.
 A very rough idea of minimum GPA’s that will keep your
application in the pool:
Very competitive programs about 3.5
Competitive programs at least 3.0
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
What is a good GRE or GMAT score?
 There are no test scores so good as to assure
you admittance.
 Minimum score requirements vary greatlySciences and Engineering tend to emphasize math
Liberal Arts emphasize language skills
Business- composite scores considered involving
scores from math, verbal, written sections of the
GMAT
Preparing your GPA and getting
ready for the GRE and GMAT
GPA:
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Make sure your GPA reflects grades courses that are relevant to your
intended career.
Do as well as you can in courses in your major and in courses that
programs indicate they want you to have in your background.
If necessary, be prepared to discuss your weaknesses in GPA in your
personal statement. Emphasize improvement and other evidence of your
depth of learning, but do not grovel or dismiss.
GRE/GMAT or any other standardized admission test
 DO NOT TAKE THESE TESTS COLD!!! ALLOW AMPLE TIME FOR REVIEW.
GRE/GMAT emphasize basic skills that you are most likely to have acquired in
high school and your first two years in college.
Letters of Recommendation
You will have to ask people to write you letters of
recommendation.
 Ask for letters from people with whom you’ve had
more than casual contact.
Good sources:
 Research and project faculty advisors.
 Faculty members that you asked for advice on
graduate school.
Poor sources:
 Graduate students, friends, relatives, employer
(usually), and others who have no direct experience in
graduate education.
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
Letters of Recommendation
You’ll need at least 3 letters at least one should be “strong” if you
seek admission to competitive programs.
Characteristics of strong (influential) recommendations:
1. Author knows you and your work well.
2. Author likes and respects you.
3. Author has relevant academic or professional
credentials.
4. Author is known in the discipline that you seek to
enter.
5. Author knows people in the program/university you
seek to enter.
Letters of Recommendation
(What to take to your meeting with the professor)
 Your transcript.
 A paper or lab project
showing your best
work.
 A resume – should
include activities and
leadership positions.
 Copies of
correspondence with
targeted graduate
programs.
 Copy of latest draft of
statement of purpose
 List of other
professors who will
serve as a reference.
 All stamps, envelopes
and forms your
professor might need,
all filled out and ready
to go.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Letters of Recommendation
(Follow-up)
 Check-in with your professor regularly to see if
the letter is done. Be nice about it, but don’t let it
fall off the radar screen.
 Be sure to thank each letter writer after the letter
has been submitted on your behalf.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Applying to Graduate SchoolRolling the Dice
The Personal Statement: Wide variation in how
programs weigh your personal statement. Play it
safe and write a good one.

Tailor your statement to the program you are applying to:
1. Why are you applying to it?
2. What are your short and longer-term
professional goals?
3. What attracts you to the program?
4. What will you be able to offer the program?
5. Mention specific faculty of interest to you.
Writing Your Personal Statement
Some Do’s
 Write clearly, concisely.
 Make the essay about 2-3
pages long.
 Use concrete examples.
 Use the vocabulary of your
intended discipline.
 Ask someone to critique your
statement of purpose.
 Proofread the statement by
reading it aloud or having
someone read it to you.
 Make sure you have time for
multiple revisions.
Some Don’ts
 Don’t write an
autobiography.
 Don’t try to impress your
reader with your vocabulary.
 Don’t provide a collection of
generic statements and
platitudes.
 Don’t rely exclusively on
your computer to check your
spelling.
 Don’t make up things!
 Don’t make lame excuses for
weak GPA or test scores.
Adapted from www.accepted.com
Applying to Graduate School
Timetable
Spring Junior Year
• Assess your interests,
area of study, degree.
• Start taking to Faculty
about your career plans
and possible programs
and sources of funding.
• Make sure you get
involved in research,
independent study in
relevant areas.
Summer before Senior Yr
• Use internet and printed
resources to develop
rough list of programs and
possible funding sources.
• Start writing your
personal statement.
• Begin studying for GRE,
GMAT, etc.
Applying to Graduate School
Timetable
Fall Senior year
• Use internet, write programs
for admission information
and degree requirements.
• Consult with faculty and
develop final list of programs
you’ll apply to.
• Continue test prep.
• Take tests before end of
October.
• Contact possible reference
writers before end of
November.
Late Fall and early Spring
• Complete and send
applications well before
deadlines.
• Consider visiting program.
• Cross your fingers.
Applying
 Why you need to
apply early.
 Your application
“package”.
Why Apply Early
(stuff happens)
 A student was not considered for admission because her
application package was incomplete. A 50 cent library fine
resulted in a “hold” on her transcripts and her undergraduate
institution never sent them.
 A student applying for a Ph.D. in philosophy received a letter
from a major university rejecting his application for a Ph.D. in
Germanic languages.
 A student was rejected by an internationally acclaimed
architecture program after his portfolio was reviewed by Prof. X.
When he called to inquire about the status of his application,
Prof. Y picked up his portfolio, glanced through it while the
student was on hold, and reversed the decision of Prof X. Thus
was he admitted.
 One professor forgot to mail a wonderful letter of
recommendation he had written for his favorite advisee, and she
was rejected.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Requesting Application Materials
Approximately 1 year before you plan to start your
program, request application materials from each
program of interest.
 Be prepared for application fees!
 Application fees generally run $40-150.
 Don’t make your decision based on the fee. Some
schools will waive the fee based on a letter from your
undergraduate financial aid officer.
 Set up an Activity Log and Timeline Sheet.
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press)
Application Materials
Your application “package” will include:
 The Application – fill out correctly and completely.
 Official Transcripts – You need an official
transcript from each college/university attended.
Allow 2 to 3 months for your request to be
processed!
 Recommendation letters
 Personal statement
 Standardized Test Scores –You will have to
arrange to have scores sent to your intended
programs.
Opportunities at UTA
Your university is a comprehensive institution offering
112 master’s and 34 doctoral degrees in a variety
of academic and professional areas.
For a list of degrees go to:
http://www.uta.edu/gradcatalog/adv_degrees
 Admission requirements vary across programs.
Grade point, test scores, experience, letters are
all considered. Additional requirements may apply.
Special Opportunities at UTA
 Waiver of the GRE or GMAT
 Graduated with degree within three years of starting
graduate school; or during last year of undergraduate study.
 Undergraduate degree must be in a normal feeder program.
 Must be recommended by graduate advisor .
 Requires a 3.0 GPA in:
 Graduate School admissions GPA (last 60 hours).
 All course work completed to date.
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Must submit regular application and pay application evaluation
fee.
 Not all graduate programs at UTA will wave these test. Some
require a higher GPA. Check with Graduate Advisor on
participation and GPA requirements.
Special Opportunities at UTA
Facilitated Admission: Waiver of GRE/GMAT, no application Fee,
simple application.
 Must be recommended by Graduate Advisor; not all
programs participate and some may have more
requirements.
 Requirements
 Must have graduated from UTA undergraduate program no
more than one year prior to admission
 Must be a commensurate undergraduate area of study or
normal feeder program
 May apply during final year of undergraduate program of
study with provision you graduate
 Must have a 3.5 GPA in (1) Graduate School Admissions GPA;
(2) all courses completed to date.
RESOURCES
General:
 Library has many resources on graduate schools,
admission advice and test preparation.
 Continuing Education offers GRE and GMAT
preparation courses at a price well-below Kaplan
or Princeton. Check when available and plan
accordingly.
 Google search ”graduate school admission” and
variants. You’ll get more than 48 million hits many
of which provide general admissions advice and
suggestions.
RESOURCES
Finding programs
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http://www.gradschools.com
http://gradsource.com
Graduate & Professional Programs - An Overview - by Robert E. Clark
and John Palattela
How to Get Into The Right Medical School by Carla S. Rogers
How to Get Into The Right Law School by Paul Lermack
The Official Guide to U.S. Law - Law School Admission & School Council
and Services
The Official Guide to Financing Your MBA - Graduate Management
Admission Council
The Official Guide to MBA Programs - Graduate Management Admission
Council
The Directory of MBAs Edition XII - Second Edition
RESOURCES
Rankings:
 GRADSCHOOLS.com
 Peterson’s Guides to Graduate Programs www.petersons.com
 Graduate Programs in Biological Sciences
 Business, Education, Health, Law, Social Work & Information
Studies
 Engineering & Applied Sciences
 Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
 Physical Sciences, Mathematics & Agricultural Sciences
 www.usnews.com
 Directory of Graduate Programs- Educational Testing Service.
 The GOURMAN Report-Graduate Programs - Princeton
Review. career.csusb.edu/Book%20List.doc
RESOURCES
Graduate Admissions Exams:
 GRE: www.gre.org
 LSAT: www.lsat.org or
 GMAT: www.mba.com
 MCAT: www.aamc.org
 DAT: http://www.ada.org/index.asp (dentistry)
 OCAT: telephone 312/440-2683 (optometry)
 PCAT: http://www.pcatweb.info1-800-622-3231
(pharmacy)
 VCAT 1-800-622-3231 (veterinary school)
RESOURCES
Finding Money:
 Financial Aid information page: www.finaid.org
 FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov/
 Sallie Mae: www.salliemae.com
 FastWeb: www.studentservices.com/index.ptml
 Financial Aid for international students:
www.edupass.org/
 UTA’s Graduate School Website:
http://grad.uta.edu/Prospective/fin_aid_resources.asp
 Check the financial aid website at the schools you apply to for
support and aid available only to students at those schools.