2008 Woodie Awards
The Career Coach: Grad School Bound?
Marian Cacciatore
Issue date: 10/21/05 Section: Holt News
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Dear Marian:
I am going to graduate in May and am thinking about going to graduate school. Do you have any advice for me?
Answer:
Once you have made the decision that you are "graduate school bound" it's time to begin the application process. For many undergraduate students, this process can seem a bit daunting. Here are a few recommended actions step to breakdown and simplify the process:
Research graduate programs:
A prospective student can evaluate a program based on the location, school reputation, size, faculty, tuition, and availability of assistantships, fellowships and area of specialization. There are a number of publications that attempt to rank schools. You may want to consider checking out US News and World Report along with a few others to obtain a broad perspective.
Become familiar with and calendar the application PROCESS:
Because deadlines vary from program to program it is important to calendar the application dates for the programs that interest you. What type of information will be needed for each application process? For many programs, an applicant will need three letters of recommendation, an autobiographical statement of interest and goals, the results of a graduate admissions test and official undergraduate transcripts.
Who should you ask to write a letter of recommendation for you? Letters of recommendation written by faculty who are familiar with your undergraduate work can be helpful. Also, consider asking a program alumnus or a professional in the field to compose a letter of reference as well.
Study and practice for the Graduate Admissions Test:
The majority of programs use GRE (Graduate Record Examination) in the application process. This test is composed of standardized; multiple-choice questions that provide graduate schools with a standard measure to compare applicants. Other tests include: LSAT (law school admission) and MCAT (medical school admission test) Start early by purchasing one of the study books with accompanying practice CD. Studying the book and taking the practice tests will help you determine whether other tutoring and prep classes will be needed.
Fellowships and Assistantships:
Many times the application deadlines for the academic program is different from the application deadline for assist ships and fellowships. A general rule for these positions is to APPLY EARLY! If you apply early you'll usually have a better chance for financial assistance and career related opportunities.
The waiting game:
Make sure that you photocopy all of your application materials before you send it in case something gets lost or misplaced along the way. It's a good idea to verify that your application meets all requirements well before the application deadline.
Your application will eventually end up in the hands of departmental admissions committee. The departmental admissions committee is the place where the admissions decisions are made. Getting your application in early is important. Eventually, the department will send out offers of admission, notices of rejection, and, in some cases, a few notice that applicants have been wait-listed. Do not be discouraged if you receive a wait list notice. Typically, an admissions committee will extend offers to a few more applicants than a program actually has room for since some students who've been accepted will enroll elsewhere. If a large number of accepted students choose other schools, offers will be extended to wait-listed applicants.
Next Step?
Does this process sound easier than you initially thought? Still wondering where you should start? Email me at mcacciatore@rollins.edu and I will be glad to email you back a Grad School Application checklist to keep everything recorded and on track.