Tuesday, November 13th, 2007
Life after college can seem daunting to students, whether it’s working or lying around in their parents’ basement. For those who want to go to graduate school, whether it’s right after graduation or in a few years, here are some tips on getting prepared.
Step 1 – Get experience
Working in the field clues students into what the rest of their life after graduate school will look like, Patricia Wilson, professional and graduate school planning coordinator, said.
Professional schools, such as medical, dental and law school, require prior experience in the field of study, she said.
“Volunteer, intern, or work,” she said.
Investing time and money into a degree without seeing what life after a master’s degree is like is just silly, Wilson said.
“You should find a professor doing research you’re interested in,” Wilson said. “Ask him if he needs any extra help with research. The worst thing he can say is ‘No.’”
Programs usually require 18 credits in the desired field of study, said Mike Peters, graduate school coordinator.
Step 2 – Do the research
Researching the schools, the programs, the faculty, the applications and the tests is key, Wilson said.
“Figure out if the school is for you,” Peters said. “Talk to some grad students in the program.”
Students need to find a program just right for them, Peters said.
Almost all programs require the Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, Peters said.
“Figure out when you’re going to take the test,” Peters said. “And be prepared for it.”
According to the GRE Web site, the test costs $140 to take with results in 10-15 days.
Students can register and pay for the test online. The Sylvan Learning Center on West Moana Lane administers the test electronically.
Students need to figure out what each program is about and the research the faculty does in the area, Peters said.
Step 3 – Apply early
Sending in applications early means the difference between being accepted and being denied.
“By the time the application deadline rolls around, half the slots for incoming graduate students are taken,” Wilson said
Meet the criteria the school wants, she said.
“Graduate and professional schools are competitive,” Wilson said. “People seem to forget that.”
Students need to ask for letters of recommendation from faculty sooner instead of later.
“Professors go on sabbatical, retire or move before students can ask for letters of recommendation,” Peters said. “It’s hard to say how great a student was when you can’t remember them.”
Career development has a letters of recommendation service. The service compiles and sends out student’s letters of recommendation.
“It only costs $20 to send up to five letters out to 10 schools each,” Wilson said. The fee goes toward paying for the program.
Applications represent the only time students have complete control over their fate, Peters said.
“Make it polished and give the school a reason to accept you,” he said.
The application has to be perfect, Wilson said.
Step 4 - Get Funded
Prospective graduate students should apply for every type of funding available, Wilson said.
Most schools offer scholarships, teaching assistant and resident assistant positions, Peters said.
Students need to apply early enough to become a TA, Wilson said.
Upcoming Workshops
In room 200 of the Thompson Building, from noon to 1 p.m.
- Paying for professional and graduate school, Nov. 13
- Writing that personal statement, Nov. 14
- Getting letters of recommendation, Nov 20
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