Deciding to attend graduate school requires some careful thinking. For some, the decision to attend is a relatively easy one, for it is a necessary pre-requisite to achieving their career goals. Such is the case for individuals interested in medicine, law, or university teaching, for example, or for those who want to pursue advanced study for the joy and fulfillment of learning for learning’s sake.
For most college graduates, however, the decision to attend may not be quite as obvious, so careful research and thoughtful reflection are recommended.
Some Questions To Ask Yourself
· What do I want to do with my life?
· What are my goals? Are they realistic?
· Is graduate study necessary to achieve these goals?
· Is graduate study appropriate for the career field I hope to pursue?
· Should I attend immediately or wait before entering?
· What benefits might I gain from work experience prior to entering grad school?
· Do I have the ability and interest to be successful in grad school?
· Will I continue study in the field of my undergraduate major, or will I choose a different, more job-oriented discipline? For instance, an English or History major may decide to pursue an MSW, a law degree, or an MBA. Many grad programs do not require specific undergraduate majors for entrance into their programs of study.
· Will I have access to the financial resources needed to attend grad school?
Resources Available To Conduct A Graduate School Search
Sources in Career Services
Graduate School Directories:
Peterson’s Guides
The Higher Education Directory
Index of Majors and Graduate Degrees
Internet sources
Directories of specialized graduate programs
Other sources
Houghton faculty; faculty at other institutions
Professional journals
Houghton Library; other libraries
Consider some of these factors when investigating graduate schools and program offerings:
Program Quality
1. Reputation and rating of the program; Program accreditation
2. Special concentrations within your general interest area and offerings of related departments in the institution
3. Research and scholarship of the faculty
Profiles of Students Who Enroll
1. Admission standards; student selection process
2. What graduates of the program do upon completion
3. Geographic and demographic representation of students
Program Resources
1. Financial support - assistance and work programs
2. Library holdings
3. Necessary laboratory and computer facilities
Academic Curriculum and Student Services
1. Course offerings; method(s) of instruction
2. Student advisement; job placement services
3. Faculty:student ratio; quality of interaction
Geographic Location and Surrounding Community
Size of School
Cost of Attending
Admission Procedures & Requirements
Every graduate school has some kind of admission requirements. These may include an application fee, admission tests, transcripts, a minimum GPA, letters of recommendation, essays or personal statements, an interview, and a resume or work history. Most schools will also have deadline dates for applications to be received; pay attention to these dates.
GRE Graduate Record Exam is the most widely used. The GRE has two parts; a general section and a specific subject section. Be sure to determine which section the program you are considering requires. Visit www.gre.org for the latest information, practice tests, registration information, and a downloadable GRE flier.
MAT Miller Analogies Test is a high level mental ability test that requires the solution of 100 problems stated in the form of analogies. To inquire about study and test center locations contact: The Psychological Corporation, 555 Academic Court, San Antonio, TX 78204; 210-299-1061; 800-622-3231.
GMAT Graduate Management Admissions Test is used by many management and business schools in place of the GRE. www.gradschools.com for comprehensive explanations.
LSAT Law School Admissions Test . Contact Houghton’s pre-law advisors for test registrations.
MCAT Medical College Admissions Test . Contact the Biology Department and pre-med advisor for registration materials.
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign
Language. For foreign students wishing to study in the U.S.
NCLEX - Nursing Certification Licensure Exam - your gateway to a career in nursing - once you pass, you get your license and you're on your way!
Praxis Series Tests (NTE and PPST) - Teaching Licensure Exams Contact the Education Department for information.
Other helpful links to help you prepare for your entrance exams.
http://www.gradview.com/testprep/
http://www.petersons.com/testprep/file.asp?id=880&path=gr.pft.gre
Application Components
Transcripts
The Academic Record Office is the only office on campus that can forward your transcript to a graduate school. You must request in writing that your transcript be sent; the cost is $5.00 for each transcript. Be sure to request your transcripts be sent well before the application deadline.
Letters of Recommendation
Most graduate schools require 2-3 letters of recommendation; faculty letters typically carry the most weight. Be sure to ask individuals if they are willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. Provide these individuals with an addressed, stamped envelope for their convenience in mailing the recommendation directly to the graduate school of your choice. In addition, you might want to provide for them a copy of your transcript, a resume, a copy of your application essay, and your research paper to aid them in writing a thorough recommendation for you. Write thank you letters to anyone who writes a letter of recommendation for you.
If you like, Career Services will hold your references in a credential file. These references will be mailed at your request to graduate schools and employers to which you are applying. A fee is charged to cover the copying and mailing costs. Check with Career Services if you are interested in this service.
Application Essay
Essay requirements vary considerably, but essentially, the application essay(s) is a statement of your goals. It should be clear and definitive indicating that you have a sense of what you want to do and you are enthusiastic about the field of study you have chosen. Career Services has several resources to help you in writing your essay, and the personnel there are always willing to help critique your essay and give you direction in developing the essay’s content. Your essay should reflect the following:
· Motivation and commitment to the field of study
· Writing ability
· Personal uniqueness
· Maturity
· Research and work experience
· Educational background
· Goals
· Reasons for wanting to attend the particular graduate school
· Expectations of the program and career opportunities
Interview, Portfolio and/or Audition
Not every graduate school will require an interview, but the interview is highly encouraged as it can be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that you are an excellent candidate for the program to which you are applying. You can arrange for a practice interview with Career Services to prepare for your interview.
Portfolios and auditions are typically required in some disciplines. Consult with the faculty members in your department about how to prepare for these requirements.
Financing Graduate School
There are many types of financial assistance at the graduate level, so never rule out an institution because of a lack of personal funds before thoroughly checking what types of assistance may be available to you.
Types of Aid
Grants and Fellowships. Generally, these awards which cover the cost of tuition, fees, and a stipend to cover living expenses do not require repayment. Usually they are based on financial need, although some require academic merit or expertise in a certain field. Grants are commonly supported by the federal government, state governments, and some corporations. Fellowships are awarded primarily on the basis of academic merit and usually come form the institution’s endowment or current income, a private foundation or industrial organization, or a government agency
Work Programs. These awards require recipients to provide services to the university in exchange for salary or stipend; sometimes tuition is also provided or waived. These types of support include Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, and Administrative Assistantships.
Loans. There are a variety of federal and private loan programs, as well as loan programs available to specific groups students depending on field of study, minority status, and disability. Consult the Peterson’s Guides for an overview of these programs and the Financial Aid Office of the school to which you are applying.
Resources of Aid
Career Services has several good resources for financial aid considerations, including the book Financing Your Graduate Education by Patricia Wade. Major libraries will also have directories of corporate and foundation aid for graduate study. Consult also the financial aid offices.
Suggested Time Table For Graduate School Planning
Summer between junior and senior years
Senior Year
Check with all institutions before deadlines to be sure your application is complete
Visit institutions that accept you
Make a decision
Notify other colleges/universities where you applied of your decision not to attend.
Write thank you letters to those who wrote recommendations for you or assisted you in other ways. Inform them of your decision.