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Why Graduate School?

In deciding whether or not to go to graduate school, ask several fundamental questions of yourself and of the process:

• Who am I doing this for?
• How long will it take?
• How much will it cost?
• Am I motivated right now?
• What can the degree do for me?
• What can I offer the program?
• Am I certain this is what I want?
• Should I go now or should I gain work experience first?

In addition, identify your motives for wanting to attend graduate school, which may be:

• I want to be a researcher or a college professor.
• I have a strong desire to be an expert in the field.
• A graduate degree will give me better job choices.
• My job requires specialized knowledge.

or:

• I do not know what else to do.
• I can put off paying my college loans.
• My parents/teachers expect me to go.
• It is a way to avoid a real job.
• The economy is in recession.

Examine your answers honestly and critically in order to determine if graduate school is the right choice for you at this time. In addition, speak with family, friends, faculty, and counselors about your graduate school options and academic goals.

How to Select a School

It is important that you select a program and institution for your graduate study that matches your abilities and goals. Research and compare several programs, and if possible, visit various schools in order to observe and engage with the faculty and students. Institutions at the graduate level can be highly specialized. As a result, some programs may be excellent in one sub-specialty, but may lack in other disciplines. Some of the finest programs may be at schools with lesser known reputations, while better known schools may have lesser-known departments. Your professors may also be a helpful resource for choosing a program as they are more familiar with the experts or top departments in their fields.

As an applicant, you should be sure to factor in your own criteria (e.g., geographic location or size), while also considering additional features, such as:

• Faculty: What is the faculty/student ratio? Do the faculty members represent a variety of view points within the discipline? Do the faculty research topics interest you?
• Facilities: How extensive is the lab space? Are there coordinating programs with other educational, cultural, professional and research institutions?
• Students: What is the composition of the graduate class? What is the attrition rate? Are the students competitive?
• Employment: Is there a career system to assist graduating students? Are students supported in their job hunt? What kind of jobs do recent graduates obtain?

How to Apply to Graduate School

Plan ahead. Graduate and professional schools often require specific undergraduate courses. Many require specific standardized tests for admissions (e.g., GRE General Subject, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT, etc.), which you may take as early as spring of your junior year. While planning your application process, identify specific test dates and how long it takes to score a test. In some cases, test scores are unavailable for several weeks, which may delay your application. Leave yourself time, and plan to spend at least one month preparing your entire application.

Many schools accept applications online; however, many still require hard copies. Some schools receive thousands of applications, so be sure to keep a record of every item sent to each admissions office and to send your application ahead of time. Remember that early decisions and rolling admissions may be available, even if they are unadvertised.

Five main elements are considered in an application:

• Your personal statement is your opportunity to articulate your experience, interests, and goals, and express your enthusiasm for graduate study. Highlight your preparation and experience, why you want an advanced degree and how it will influence your career path, why you want to attend graduate school now, why you have selected this institution, and how you expect to capitalize on your new knowledge. This is your best opportunity to speak about yourself, so make sure your essay is concise, clear, and answers any outlined questions. Lastly, remember not to restate your resume. Instead, highlight your interests and emphasize how your skills can contribute to the greater academic community.
• Your grade point average is an important measure of comparison against other candidates. If you had a particular problem that affected your grades, you may wish to make a brief reference in your statement. If so, explain concisely – do not be defensive.
• Your transcript reflects the strength of your academic preparation. Many schools require official transcripts, so be sure to submit transcript requests to all higher education institutions attended well in advance of application deadlines.
• You will need between two and five references – people who can write about your skills and interests as a student. Usually at least one academic reference is required. In some cases, an employer or supervisor may serve as a reference.
• Your standardized test scores, like your GPA, are an important way to distinguish yourself from other candidates. Not all schools require tests, and some schools require different tests than others; therefore, be sure to identify the requirements for each specific school.

Guidelines for Obtaining References

Faculty members are usually happy to give a reference, but you need to make it easy to help. When you ask a faculty member for a letter of recommendation, it is helpful to provide:

• All application deadlines.
• A transcript.
• A resume.
• A statement describing what you are applying for and why.
• The grade(s) you received in the professor’s course and a sample of your work if applicable.
• Your contact information.
• Instructions about how to submit the letter of recommendation.
• A stamped and addressed envelope so that the recommender may send the letter directly to the school(s) you are applying to, if the letter will not be submitted online.

Faculty members write letters of recommendation as a courtesy. Occasionally, if a faculty member is uncomfortable writing a letter, he/she may decline. In this case you should look for another reference rather than trying to convince that faculty member to change his/her mind.

Financing Graduate School

There can be a significant cost associated with graduate school; however, you may receive financial assistance in several forms:

• Fellowships and grants are awarded by federal and local governments, private organizations, and schools. In some cases, fellowships provide tuition and a stipend. These are granted based on academic merit; therefore, you should identify fellowships that match your strengths and talents. Investigate as soon as you consider graduate school to identify deadlines.
• Teaching and research assistantships are often awarded to second semester or second year graduate students. These positions usually include tuition waivers and stipends, in exchange for working with a supervising faculty member. TAs typically grade papers, lead discussion groups, and assist in labs.
• Employee work/school programs are available at some schools. You should speak with your school to learn more about eligibility requirements.