Career Development Center Presentation:
Kerri Quick | Kaplan Test Prep
GETTING IN: PREPARING FOR GRAD
SCHOOL
Session Agenda
Who Are We and What Are Our Services
The Future
The Career Development Center
Individual appointments with Career Counselors
•Resumes
•Applications
•Cover Letters
•Interview Preparation
•Internships
•Graduate School
•Targeting Your Dream Job
Monday – Friday
8:00 – 4:30
Drop in Hours no appointment necessary:
W-TH, 1:00-3:00
Tuesday Evenings open until 6:30
We are here to help – Top Floor University Center
570-422-3219
RESERVE YOUR
SPOT NOW!
Attend 5 sessions
and you’re entered
for a chance to WIN
a Brooks
Brothers gift
certificate!
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
NOW!
Attend 5 sessions and you’re
entered for a chance to WIN a
Brooks Brothers gift
certificate!
RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!
Attend 5 sessions and you’re
entered for a chance to WIN a
Brooks Brothers gift certificate!
November 8th
EVOLVE – College to Careers
In order to help graduating seniors prepare for the next step, the Career
Development Center invites all graduating seniors for a program designed to help
them make the most of their spring term and prepare for life after college.
Seniors will be informed of best practices on how to increase their chances of
success during an interview, money management and transitioning to a new
community. Become informed of what soon to expect in life after graduation.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Future
 There will be 55 million job openings through 2020
24 million new jobs
31 million due to baby boom retirements
 35% of job openings will require a bachelor’s degree
 Fastest growing industries - STEM, Healthcare Professions,
Healthcare Support and Community Services
Will require high levels of post-secondary education
•
The U.S. will fall short by 5 million workers with postsecondary
educations by 2020 at the current production rate
NACE Salary Outlook 2014/Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook
Reasons to Go…..
 Intellectual interest
 Money
 Vocational interest
Free Money…..
 Teaching Assistantships
 Research/Graduate Assistantships
 Fellowships
 Grants
 LOANS
Application Checklist
 Take appropriate standardized
 Draft, rewrite, polish statement
 Forwards scores to schools of
 Send materials to schools
graduate admissions tests
interest
 Obtain letters of
recommendations
 Obtain original transcripts
of purpose
Additional Requirements/Items
 Writing Sample
 Clinical Hours
 International Applicants
 Interviews
GPA
 Long-term indicator of your performance as a student
 Reflects motivation & ability to do good or bad work
 Masters program requires a GPA of 3.0 or 3.3
 Doctoral programs require minimum GPA’s 3.3 or 3.5
 Admission committees look at courses taken
 Look at overall GPA and the relevant program courses
 Standardized exams GRE, MCAT, LSAT & GMAT for comparisons
GRADES
 It is what it is!!
 Obtain transcripts - learn your worst grade,
worst semester, worst class
 GPA in Major vs. GPA Overall
What if I Have a Low GPA?
 Take high quality courses
 Take more classes
 Take summer classes
 Consider delaying graduation with an extra
semester
 After graduation take a few graduate courses to
show aptitude
Statement of Purpose
 The most important document of your Graduate application
 Can be 300, 500 or 750 words
 The Statement of Purpose required by graduate schools is
probably the hardest thing you will ever write
 Through the essay you will speak to the committee and
demonstrate your unique fit to the program
 Incidentally, the statement of purpose may also be called an
Application Essay, Objectives for Graduate Study, Personal
Background, Cover Letter, or some comparable title
Essay Do’s
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Prepare an outline and create a draft
Answer all the questions being asked
Make sure your essay has a theme or a thesis
Provide evidence to support your claims
Speak in the first person (I)
Make your introduction unique
Write clearly and make sure it is easy to read
Be honest, confident, and be yourself
Be interesting and positive
Make sure your essay is organized, coherent, and concise
Write about yourself and use examples from your own life
experiences
Essay Do’s
 Use a mixture of long and short sentences
 Discuss your future goals
 Mention any hobbies, past jobs, community service, or
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research experience
Mention weaknesses without making excuses
Discuss why you're interested in the school and/or program
Show, don’t tell (Use examples to demonstrate your abilities
Ask for help
Proofread and revise your statement at least 3 times
Have others proofread your essay
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
-example- BORING
Introduction
 First Sentence is the most important. Be creative.
 The following sentences should provide a brief
explanation that supports the claim made in the first
sentence.
 I am applying to the Master of Fine Arts program in
creative writing at the University of Utah because I
believe my writing will blossom at your program since it
is a place where I will be challenged and I can hone my
writing skills.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
-example- HOOK!
 I am honored to apply for the Master of Library Science program
at the University of Utah because as long as I can remember I have
had a love affair with books. Since I was eleven I have known I
wanted to be a librarian.
 When I was eleven, my great-aunt Gretchen passed away and left
me something that changed my life: a library of about five
thousand books. Some of my best days were spent arranging and
reading her books. Since then, I have wanted to be a librarian.
The Body
 Usually 3 paragraphs providing detailed evidence supporting the
intro statement
 Each paragraph should have a transition statement to start & a
resolution statement to end
 Include experiences, accomplishments or other evidence to support
claims
 Short summary of educational background is appropriate in first
paragraph
 Do not repeat application information
 Last paragraph should explain why you should be accepted
The Conclusion
 Last paragraph of your personal statement
 State why you are interested in studying the
subject of interest
 State key points mentioned in the body in a
conclusive & brief manner (accomplishments,
experiences)
 End on a positive note with 1-2 attention
grabbing sentences
Essay’s Don’ts
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Be defensive or arrogant
Complain
Preach
Have your essay focus too much on other individuals
Discuss politics or religion
Give excuses for a low GPA
Make lists of accomplishments, awards, skills, or
personal qualities (Show, don’t tell)
 Write a term paper or an autobiography
 Summarize your resume
 Include information already cited on the application
•
Essay’s Don’ts
Becoming increasingly popular/preferred
•
Replacing objective statement

Replaces the “this is what I want” objective statement with a “this is the
value that I offer” branding statement Have any grammar or spelling
errors. (Proofread!)
 Be wordy or use jargon (don’t try to impress the readers by using big
words)
 Swear or use slang
 Digress or be repetitive
 Be boring
 Generalize
 Include clichés
 Use gimmicks
 Be comical (a little humor is okay but remember it can be misconstrued)
How To Get The Best Letters Of
Recommendation
 Build relationships over time
 Be nice!
 Start in SEPTEMEBER
 Have your transcripts/resume ready to familiarize them with your
performance
 The reference may take it upon themselves to call the person directly
 KEEP IN TOUCH…don’t burn your bridges!
Deadlines
 Apply for acceptance in SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER
 DEADLINES fall around DECEMBER, JANUARY AND
FEBRUARY…
 Be sure to check for open or “rolling” admissions
GRE Test Breakdown
Section
Number of Questions
Allotted Time
Analytical Writing
(One section, Two
timed tasks)
One Analyze an Issue task and
One Analyze an Argument task
30 minutes per task
Verbal Reasoning
(Two sections)
Approximately 20 questions per
section
30 minutes per section
Quantitative
Reasoning
(Two sections)
Approximately 20 questions per
section
35 minutes per section
Unscored
Varies
Varies
Research
Varies
Varies
Total Testing Time: About 4 hours
There is a 10-minute break following the third section and a 1-minute break between other sections.
The GRE Multi-Stage Test (MST):
Adapts at Section Level
Verbal Section 1
20 Questions
•6 Text Completion
•4 Sentence Equivalence
•10 Reading Comprehension
Verbal Section 2a
20 Questions
•6 Text Completion
•4 Sentence Equivalence
•10 Reading Comprehension
Highest
potential score
range
Verbal Section 2b
20 Questions
•6 Text Completion
•4 Sentence Equivalence
•10 Reading Comprehension
Middle
potential score
range
Verbal Section 2c
20 Questions
•6 Text Completion
•4 Sentence Equivalence
•10 Reading Comprehension
Lowest
potential score
range
The GRE Multi-Stage Test (MST):
Adapts at Section Level
Quantitative Section 1
20 Questions
•7-8 Quantitative Comparison
•9-10 Problem Solving
•3 Data Interpretation
Quantitative Section 2a
20 Questions
•7-8 Quantitative Comparison
•9-10 Problem Solving
•3 Data Interpretation
Highest
potential score
range
Quantitative Section 2b
20 Questions
•7-8 Quantitative Comparison
•9-10 Problem Solving
•3 Data Interpretation
Middle
potential score
range
Quantitative Section 2c
20 Questions
•7-8 Quantitative Comparison
•9-10 Problem Solving
•3 Data Interpretation
Lowest
potential score
range
GRE Score Distribution
130
151
151
162-164
162
164
159
159
153
154
GRE Scoring and Other Details
 Scoring for Verbal and Quantitative Sections: 130-170 in
one point increments and 150 will be the mean; AWA
has a 0-6 scoring scale in half-point increments
 Unofficial Quant and Verbal scores are available right
after you finish the test with a 130-170 score; official
scores, including writing score are mailed to you and
the schools you select 10-15 days later
 Must wait 30 days to retest
 The test is offered every day of the year except Sundays
and major holidays. Register at www.gre.org
 The cost of the test is $185
 Test scores are good for 5 years
What the GMAT Covers
Analytical Writing Assessment
Questions: One essay
Time: 30 minutes
Question Types: Analysis of an Argument
Integrated Reasoning
Questions: 12 multi-part questions
Time: 30 minutes
Question Types: Table Analysis, Graphics Interpretation,
Two-part analysis, Multi-source reasoning
Quantitative Section
Questions: 37 multiple choice questions
Time: 75 minutes
Question Types: Problem Solving, Data Sufficiency
VERBAL
Verbal Section
Length: 4 hours
Questions: 41 multiple choice questions
Time: 75 minutes
Question Types: Reading Comprehension, Sentence
Correction, Critical Reasoning
Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) Scoring
GMAT Scoring Scale
550
90th
7700
80th
660
60th
590
GMAT Scoring and Other Details
 Total GMAT score ranges from 200 – 800, AWA has a 0
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6 scoring scale in half-point increments
Integrated Reasoning scores range from 1 to 8 in
single-digit intervals. Like the AWA, the IR scores are
computed separately from the Quantitative and Verbal
sections and have no effect on the Total score.
Unofficial scores will be available immediately, official
scores will be sent in approximately 20 calendar days
Must wait 30 days to retest
The test is offered every day of the year except Sundays
and major holidays. Register at mba.com
The cost of the test is $250
Scores are good for 5 years
LSAT Test Breakdown
LSAT Scoring Scale
LSAT Scoring and Other Details
 The LSAT is a paper and pencil test offer 4 times per
year: June, September/October, December, and
February
 Scored by raw score (number of questions correct),
scaled score (120-180) and percentile score (you score
compared to other test takers)
 Can be taken 3 times in 2 years, scores good for 5 years
 Cost of test is $160, register at lsac.org
MCAT 2015 Test Breakdown
MCAT 2015
Test Cost
$275
Offered
Approx. 28 times/year in Jan, Mar – Sep
Retaking
No lifetime limit; can only take 3x/year
Validity
Avg Prep Time
Application Deadlines
Where to register
3 years
300+ hours
Accepted on a rolling basis starting in June
www.aamc.org
MCAT Scoring and Other Details
 Registration opens up in February 2015 with a registration cost
of $300. A $150 Amazon gift card will be given to April 2015
examinees. Test dates run April through September of 2015.
 Each of the four sections on MCAT 2015 will be scored 118132, for a total possible score of 528. The mean is expected to
be 125 per section for a total mean score of 500.
Take a Free Practice Test
 Experience the exam under proctored
conditions
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 Learn strategies to prepare
Choose your date and register:
http://bit.ly/EastStroudsburg
Thank You
Kerri Quick
Market Manager
Kaplan Test Prep
570-225-8648
kerri.quick@kaplan.com
www.kaptest.com