1	The Basics of Graduate School Presented by: Amy Simon Director of Graduate Marketing Emporia State University
2	According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Outcomes of Education Report, based on 2000 income data, the average worker with a bachelor’s degree earned $48,374, while a worker with a master’s degree earned $59,230, and a worker with a doctorate earned $80,250.
3	Reasons for Obtaining a Graduate Degree Increased marketability Higher earning potential Greater job satisfaction Personal fulfillment Required in major area Change in career fields
4	Master Degree Programs Growing and evolving, offered in just about all fields Two Types Professional – designed for employment or advancement MBA, MSW Academic – designed for intellectual growth and sometimes a prerequisite for doctoral work MS, MA Time – 1 to 3 years to complete
5	Doctoral Degree Programs Highest possible earned academic degree Two Types Professional – stress the practical application of knowledge and skill MD, JD Academic – focus on advancing knowledge through original research PhD Time – 3 to 6 years to complete
6	What to Expect in a Graduate Program Classes similar to undergraduate But…. Conducted in seminar formats Increased discussions Higher expectations Most programs require a thesis, or an extended research paper
7	Should You Go to Graduate School? Consider your interests, goals, dreams, and abilities. Assess your skills, competencies, and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself.
8	Questions to Ask Yourself Why do I want to go to graduate school? Is it for the right reasons? What are my career goals? Will graduate school assist me in meeting my career goals? What will I specialize in? What are my interests? Do I have the motivation for another 2-7 years of school? Do I have the academic and personal qualities to succeed?
9	Now or Later? Reasons for going straight to graduate school after earning your bachelor’s degree You are accustomed to being a student Your study skills are sharp You have few obligations Some occupations require an advanced degree even for “entry-level” positions
10	Now or Later? Reasons for working for a few years before going to graduate school You can better know your career goals Graduate program requires work experience You bring a broader world view to your studies You have a mature outlook on school or work Employers may pay some or all of your graduate school expenses Gain solid financial footing Improve your chances for acceptance to graduate programs
11	Most experts suggest that you should seek a graduate program at a different college from where you earned your bachelor’s degree. The idea is that by attending a different school, you are exposed to different faculty, different perspectives, and different resources – all designed to broaden your knowledge and experiences within your field.
12	Choosing a Graduate Program Accreditation Admission Standards Career Assistance Cost/Financial Aid Culture Degrees Offered Faculty Location Multicultural/Diversity Physical Facilities Reputations/Rankings Research/Academic Focus Resources Size State Regulations & Residency Requirements Surrounding Community
13	Accreditation Two Types Institutional Program-Specific Not as much an indicator of quality, as much as a process Can face negative consequences if program does not have accreditation
14	Admission Standards Look for tough admission standards Schools publish this information Look at base requirements for admission
15	Cost/Financial Aid Examine all associated costs Tuition Books and supplies Housing Miscellaneous fees and expenses Review types of financial assistance Grants Loans Scholarships Assistantships/Fellowships Focus on the bottom line
16	Academic Atmosphere Culture “Philosophy of Education” Find your “fit” Degrees Offered Know what you need Don’t compromise Faculty Program is only as good as the faculty who teach in it Check the reputation of the faculty Multicultural/Diversity Better programs tend to be diverse Faculty and student composition
17	www.phds.org/rankings
18	Components of the Application Regardless of discipline, virtually all graduate school applications entail the same basic components: Transcript GRE or other standardized test scores Letters of recommendation Personal statement and/or admission essay(s) Some, not all, programs interview finalists
19	Transcripts Provides information about your academic background College registrar will send transcripts to the university/college Start early to allow for delays, and check to make sure it arrived
20	Graduate School Admission Tests Most programs require the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) Law, medical, and business require different exams (LSAT, MCAT, GMAT) Standardized exam – are normed, permitting students from different colleges to be compared meaningfully Take tests early!
21	GRE (Graduate Record Exam) Aptitude test that measures the skills you have acquired Contains sections that measure Verbal Quantitative Analytical writing skills Schools consider the verbal and quantitative sections particularly important in making decisions about applicants
22	GRE (Graduate Record Exam) Facts Administered by computer year-round Arrive 30 minutes early Bring identification Current fee is $130 Test will take approx. 3 hrs. Structure of test Verbal – 30 min., 30 questions Quantitative – 45 min., 28 questions Analytical – 75 min., 1 Issue and 1 Argument Task Preparation Tips Prepare extensively to ensure the highest score Buy a GRE review book Download sample tests Try a practice test under similar conditions Official website: www.gre.org
23	GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) Designed to measure basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that have been developed Three sections Analytical Writing Assessment – 2 essays, 30 minutes each Quantitative Section – 37 questions, 75 minutes Verbal Section – 41 questions, 75 minutes Current Fee - $250 Official websites: www.mba.com
24	LSAT, MCAT LSAT – Law School Admission Test Half day, standardized test Measure of acquired reading and verbal skills Administered 4x per year at a number of locations Cost - $118 Official website: www.lsat.org MCAT – Medical College Admission Test Standardized, multiple-choice exam Measures problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills Also measures knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine Computer-based test option only Given 2x per year at a number of locations Official website: www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm
25	Letters of Recommendation Most schools require two or more letters of recommendation Strive for a set of letters that cover the range of your skills Academic and scholastic skills Research abilities and experiences Applied experiences
26	Who to Ask? DO choose faculty members, administrators, internship supervisors, and employers who Know you well and long enough Know your work and can be positive about it Have a high opinion of you Know your educational and career goals Able to write a good letter DON’T choose friends, spiritual leaders such as ministers, and public officials
27	Ensuring Yourself a Great Letter Ask the person if they know you well enough to write a meaningful letter Provide your referees with all necessary information Transcript Resume Admissions essay Courses Research experiences Internship and other applied experiences Honor societies, awards Work experience Professional goals Due date for application Copy of the application recommendation form
28	Additional Tips Give the referees plenty of time (3-4 weeks) Confidential letters tend to carry more weight As deadline approaches Check with referees to make sure letters were sent Contact graduate program to inquire whether letters were received Send hand-written thank you notes to each referee
29	Personal Statement/Admission Essays Opportunity to communicate with the committee about yourself The statement/essay reveals your ability To write To determine the purpose of the essay To stick to the task at hand Sell yourself and explain why you’re a good match to the program
30	Steps for Writing Consider your audience Looking for motivation Want to involve and engage MAKE IT STAND OUT! Conduct a personal assessment What drives you Describe your hopes, dreams, aspirations Consider your academic record and personal accomplishments
31	Steps for Writing Do your research Determine what the committee is looking for Show that you’re interested and have taken the time to learn about the program Tailor essay to each program After you’ve written the first draft Ask for feedback Revise Repeat
32	Timetable for Applying Summer/September Take necessary tests Gather graduate program information and narrow choices Consider who you will ask for letters of recommendation September/October Research sources for financial aid Examine each of the program applications Write a draft of your personal statement/essay; get feedback Ask referees to write letters
33	Timetable for Applying November/December Arrange for official transcript to be sent to each program (have registrar wait until grades are in) Finalize essays and personal statement Apply for all sources of financial assistance Check and record the due date for each application December/January Complete application forms for each program Mail applications Wait for receipt response from the school
34	Timetable for Applying February If applicable, start planning the admission interviews Fill out FAFSA March/April Visit schools to which you’ve applied Discuss acceptances and rejections with the career counselor at your school Notify the program of your acceptance Notify the programs that you’re declining
35	Taking Time Off Before Graduate School Good reasons for taking time off Unprepared for graduate school – a year off may enhance your application Opportunity to retake graduate admissions test Enhance your chances to get accepted to your program of choice Increased financial assistance Research experience will enhance your application Working may allow you to save money Time off may increase your desire and commitment to your goals
36	Thank You! http://gradschool.about.com