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Is graduate school right for you?

Ask Yourself These Questions:

How might graduate school affect my career or professional plans?
Will the graduate degree enhance or narrow my employment prospects?
Do I need to attend right away?
Am I burned out academically or anxious to continue with academic work?
Do I want to go full-time?
Should I work full-time and go to school nights?
Would I benefit more by gaining some practical experience before pursuing graduate school?
Am I postponing some tough decisions by going to graduate school?
Do I know exactly what discipline I want to study?
Will the specific area of study help me get the job I want?
Will a master's degree be enough or will I need a doctorate?
Where will I choose to go?
How will I finance it?

These considerations take thought and time. Begin early - if possible, start thinking about graduate school in your junior year.

When should I attend?

Advantages of Proceeding Directly to Graduate School:

Continuity between undergraduate learning and specialization of graduate field.
Easier to finance graduate school prior to other financial obligations (e.g., mortgages, family, loans).
Beneficial to get educational preparation "out of the way" prior to one's career development.
Can defer repayment of undergraduate loans.

Disadvantages of Proceeding Directly to Graduate School:

Uncertain about purpose of study (Why am I attending graduate school?).
Goals conflict (I want to get my graduate work "out of the way," gain practical experience, travel, make money).
Unable to grow into professional role without non-academic life experience.

Advantages of Waiting Two to Five Years Before Attending Graduate School:

Acquire work experience that provides knowledge of field(s) of interest. Some schools (e.g., M.B.A.) seek applicants with experience.
Refreshed and motivated to pursue academic work.
Establish financial stability prior to further education.
Ability to obtain internships, fellowships, etc. for assistance during graduate school.

Researching graduate schools and programs

It is important to take time to research potential graduate schools in order to find programs that are a good fit for your interests, personality, skills and goals. The following are some resources or strategies to help you identify and learn more about graduate programs:

Consult directories, including Peterson’s Guides and The Gourman Report, and business magazine rankings to generate ideas. Many of these resources are located in the Career Center’s Resource Room.
Use online resources, such as www.gradschools.com, to search for particular programs in specific geographic areas or in particular fields.
Visit school websites to gather more information about the types of degrees offered, curriculum, program highlights, faculty and more.
Attend a graduate school fair or speak with graduate school recruiters when they visit campus.
Speak with your professors about the graduate programs you are considering. They are experts in their discipline and have plenty of valuable knowledge about preparing to enter the field. Ask if they know of programs you should consider or other faculty or professionals they may know with whom it would be useful for you to connect.
Speak with professionals in your field of interest. Ask where they attended graduate school and what advice they have for individuals entering the profession.
Look for web pages of faculty and current students enrolled in the graduate programs you are considering. Many times there may be links to these pages from a program’s main website.
Contact students who are currently enrolled in the programs you are considering to get insiders’ knowledge about what the program is like. Utilize social networking sites and student web pages to identify current students or ask a graduate program administrator if there are current students with whom you can speak.
Check with the Career Center to see if any LU alumni are currently enrolled in a graduate program at schools you are considering.
Read academic journals in your field. Take note of article authors, what kind of research they are conducting and where they teach. If you are impressed with an individual’s research or publications you may want to consider a graduate program in which that individual is a faculty member.
Utilize professional associations to find out which graduate programs are endorsed by the organization and if they have any recommendations for prospective students who are contemplating advanced study in the field.
Read publications by faculty members of the graduate programs in which you are interested and research their professional background. Contact faculty members whose research interests are similar to your own and inquire about the graduate program, their work and/or your own research ideas or professional goals.
Visit the campuses of the schools to which you are applying or admitted. Being on campus can help you determine if a particular school feels “right” and may allow you to connect with current students.
Make an appointment to speak with a Career Center counselor about your ideas or plans for graduate school.

The Career Center strongly encourages students to being their graduate school search during their junior year. Once you begin to research potential graduate schools, it is helpful to maintain a list of potential programs. As you investigate further, eliminate or add schools and programs as necessary. The goal is to create a diverse list of graduate programs that fit your needs and goals.

Generally, it is wise to apply to at least 6 programs, each with varying degrees of selectivity. Keep in mind that applying to graduate school requires organization, time management, application fees and/or travel to and from campus visits. Be sure to maintain a list of potential programs that is a reasonable size for you to manage.

Investing a significant amount of energy into graduate school research may be time-consuming, but carefully examining your options and considering various programs will increase the likelihood of satisfaction once you begin your graduate school journey.

Admissions requirements

Admission requirements generally include an application (with essays or a personal statement of goals), an application fee, admission test scores, GPA (both cumulative and in your major), official transcripts and letters of recommendation. Sometimes samples of previous work, a specific undergraduate major, evidence of work experience and an interview are required. Usually, deadlines are between January and March but can be earlier especially if you are applying for financial aid. If the schools to which you are applying have rolling admissions, you should apply as early as possible since applicants are admitted as their applications are submitted. Apply by November or December.

Application and Fee
Each graduate and professional school (and sometimes a specific department) requires its own application and non-refundable application fee. It is recommended that you make copies of blank application forms and create drafts to be reviewed by faculty or Career Center staff. It is important to submit a neatly typed, thorough application and the appropriate fee by the deadline date indicated. Remember to keep a copy of your completed application for your records.

Admissions Test Scores
The admissions tests required vary from institution to institution. Research the requirements through a guide to graduate programs, a catalog or by asking department personnel. Preparation books and computerized study materials highlight directions and typical questions on the examination. Preparation courses review the directions, format and content of the exams, provide test-taking strategies and administer practice exams. It takes approximately four to six weeks for scores on admissions tests to be reported, so plan to take the exams early enough to meet required graduate and professional school deadlines. Contact the Career Center for test registration booklets and information regarding preparation courses.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)* - Many graduate schools require applicants to take the GRE General Test and some programs also require a GRE Subject Test. Check graduate school directories, catalogs or with departments to determine required tests. The General Test, a three and one-half hour test, contains sections designed to measure verbal, quantitative and analytical ability. The Subject Tests, which last 2 hours and 50 minutes, are designed to measure the knowledge and understanding of subject matter basic to graduate study in specific fields. Subject Tests are offered in Biochemistry/Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Engineering, Geology, History, Literature in English, Mathematics, Music (offered only on December and April test dates), Physics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. The General and Subject Tests can be taken the same day or different days.

The GRE General Test is now offered on computer. The Computer-Based Testing is available year-round at many test centers. A list of test centers is provided in the GRE registration materials. In addition to convenience, the Computer-Based Testing offers flexible scheduling, immediate test results and faster score reporting. It is, however, more expensive than the paper-and-pencil version.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)* - The GMAT helps graduate schools of business assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. The test measures general verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills that are developed over a long period of time and are associated with success in the first year of study at graduate schools of management. The GMAT does not presuppose any specific knowledge of business and does not measure achievement in any particular subject area. The quantitative sections measure basic mathematical skills and understanding of elementary concepts and the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems and interpret graphic data. The verbal section measures the ability to understand and evaluate what is read and to recognize conventions of standard written English. The analytical writing sections of the test measure the ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas through writing.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)* - The LSAT is designed to measure skills important in the study of law and to aid law schools in assessing the academic promise of law school applicants. The test covers a broad range of academic disciplines. The questions measure the ability to read, understand and reason. In addition to the five 35-minute sections of multiple choice questions, a 30-minute writing sample is required. The writing sample is not scored by Law Services but is sent to each law school to which the LSAT scores are reported. The utilization of the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) is highly recommended. It assembles in one report all of the information required of the applicant by most law schools. Almost all U.S. law schools use the LSDAS Report to consider the applicant's undergraduate performance. The applicant's biographic and academic information is summarized for law schools. The service provides these summaries, copies of college transcripts, LSAT scores and the writing sample to each law school to which the applicant applies.

The Praxis Series for Beginning Teachers (PPST and NTE)* - The Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) of Reading, Mathematics, and Writing are each one hour multiple-choice tests. The writing test includes both multiple-choice questions and a 30-minute essay. The National Teaching Examination (NTE) Core Battery includes three separate two-hour tests: General Knowledge, Communication Skills, and Professional Knowledge. NTE Specialty Area tests and Subject Assessments measure understanding of the content and methods applicable to the specific subject area.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT)* - The MAT is a mental ability test that requires the solution of 100 problems stated in the form of analogies. The test items use different types of analogies to test general information in a variety of fields including fine arts, literature, math, natural sciences and social sciences. Examinees are allowed 50 minutes to complete the test. The MAT is given locally only at the Oshkosh Testing Center. Check with the Career Center for more information.

For information on the following admissions examinations, contact a member of the Health Careers Advisory Committee:

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)*
Dental Admission Testing (DAT)*
Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT)*
Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)*

* registration materials available in the Career Center

Grade Point Average
GPA is one important factor for admission. How the GPA is weighed varies from one institution to another. A graduate school candidate is typically asked to list overall GPA and GPA in major on the application, and it is advisable to explain any unusual academic pattern or very poor grade.

Official Transcripts
An official transcript should be requested in writing from the Registrar's Office. It demonstrates your receipt of an undergraduate degree and shows the array of coursework in which you were enrolled and the grades received.

Letters of Recommendation
Usually, two or three letters of recommendation are required by graduate or professional schools. Ask individuals who will be in a position to best assess your ability to perform well in the program to which you are applying (i.e., a faculty member) or who can attest to your good character and interest in the field (i.e., an employer, contact in the related field). Graduate schools usually request recommendations from faculty. You can request recommendations early and place them in a recommendations file in the Career Center. If you waive your right of access, you choose not to see the recommendation. Law schools and many graduate programs prefer to see confidential recommendations. Recommendations from your file are sent to graduate schools upon your written request.

Samples of Previous Work
For entrance to some graduate programs, examples of your work will be required. Most often these include writing samples, art portfolios or audition tapes. Also, some programs require evidence of part-time or full-time work experience in a related field.

Specific Undergraduate Major
Some programs require either one or several undergraduate majors or courses from specific disciplines.

Personal Statement or Essays
In a statement of purpose, you should articulate your goals. Indicate why you are interested in the field of study, the particular graduate school and the specific program as well as your related background. Also, emphasize what you have to offer the program and how you can benefit from it. If other essays are required, be sure to answer the specific questions and stay within designated word limits. Research the programs to which you are applying so that your responses can be unique and targeted to each school. Keep a copy of essays for your own records. Read more about Personal Statements and Essays.

Work Experience
Some programs require previous work experience. This shows your interest, commitment and desire to continue in the particular field and allows you to relate what you will learn in the classroom to the working world.

Interview
An interview is required for entrance into some graduate programs. Usually, however, the interview is not part of the admission process unless you are applying for assistantships or internships. A list of questions typically asked of graduate school applicants is attached. If you believe that an interview may help your admission, or if you have questions, it is a good idea to request an interview. Representatives from various graduate programs visit the campus. Contact the Career Center for details.

Factors in selecting a graduate school

Admission Requirements:

Can you realistically get admitted?
How competitive is admission to the program?
Do you meet the admissions requirements (grade point average, test scores, course background, work experience, etc.)?
Does the department prefer to admit recent college graduates or applicants with work experience?
Does the department have a preference for full-time or part-time students?

Curriculum:

Does the graduate school have the curriculum you plan to pursue?
Does the primary emphasis of the program suit your educational goals?
Will the curriculum provide you with the background you desire?
How do the requirements of the program compare with those of other institutions?
How many courses/credits are required?
Is a foreign language required?
How many and what type of qualifiers (written and/or oral comprehensive exams, thesis, dissertation) are required?
In what length of time can you complete the program? (Typically, a Master's program can be completed in one or two years and a doctoral degree is gained after four to eight years in a graduate program.)
Does the program include practical experience?
Is part-time study an option?

Reputation and Quality of Program:

What is the reputation of the school, department, faculty and alumni?
What type of reputation does the program have within the field you wish to enter after receiving your degree?
What do students and faculty think of the program?
How do alumni feel about their experience in the program?
Is the program accredited? By whom?

Placement:

How many students complete the program?
What percentage of the graduates find employment? Does the department help with placement of their graduates?
What kinds of employment are most frequently pursued by graduates of the program?
To what extent can you use the degree from this department to get into other kinds of work?

Faculty:

How many faculty members are there? Does the department's reputation depend on one or two people?
What is the faculty/student ratio?
Is there a variety of points of view in the department or do most of the faculty follow one philosophy? What is the philosophy?
Are the faculty committed to teaching? Research? Service?
What have the faculty published lately?
Are the faculty well known in their field?
How available to students are the faculty?

Location/Size:

Do you want to attend a large or small school?
Do you prefer large or small classes?
How large is the enrollment in the department?
In what geographical area do you want to attend school?
How far from your family and friends do you want to be located?
Do you want to be located in a city, suburban or rural area?
Does the community offer the social, recreational and cultural activities you enjoy?
Is graduate housing available?
How difficult is it to find off-campus housing?
Is there public transportation to the school from the community?

Cost/Financial Aid:

What is the cost of the program?
How much has the program cost during the last few years? Has the cost risen? Is the cost expected to rise?
How much financial assistance is awarded in the form of fellowships, assistantships, paid internships, loans, etc? Are these forms of assistance available in the first year? Do these extend beyond the first year?
Will you be granted tuition remission?
How much of a stipend, if any, will you receive?

Acceptance, deferment, rejection

Acceptance
The graduate and professional school application process can be lengthy, time-consuming and emotionally difficult. It is important that you have support from faculty, peers, family members and other people who are applying to graduate or professional school. Career Center staff are available to meet with you as you explore options and make decisions. Acceptance by more than one school will provide choices. You may want to compare schools based on the factors in selecting a graduate school that are listed above. It may be helpful to visit the schools if you have not previously done so. You may wish to make arrangements to meet department faculty and currently-enrolled graduate students to get a first-hand account of the strengths and weaknesses of the program.

Deferring Enrollment
Some graduate schools will allow you to defer your attendance for one or two years. Since deferment guidelines vary widely among programs and institutions, contact the department chairperson or dean of the graduate college to obtain specific deferment policy information. You are encouraged to discuss your plans for deferment with a career counselor, dean or faculty member.

How to Benefit From Rejection
You may wish to contact the graduate college or the department at the schools to which you applied and were rejected. Ask why you received a rejection. Suggestions of what action you can take to get admitted in the future may be offered (i.e., gain experience, enroll in certain courses, re-take entrance exams). It is always important to have "Plan B" in mind in case of rejection by graduate schools, lack of funding, or other unforeseeable circumstances. Seek out faculty, Counseling Center staff and Career Center personnel to help you as you make decisions about alternate plans.

Personal Statements and Essays

Step One: Brainstorming

It is important to reflect upon your experiences, personality and goals as you prepare to write your personal statement. When brainstorming, remember there are no wrong ideas and that you will be most successful if you are honest with yourself. Consider the following questions to help you think about your essay content:

What makes you unique, unusual or different? Think about all of your experiences, no matter how unrelated to your field of study they may seem. Remember, what is common to you may be completely unique and different to someone else.
Where were you and what were you doing when you first realized your passion for your field of study? How have your interests evolved since then? Can you identify specific turning points?
Who or what are your intellectual influences? What writers, researchers, professors or professionals have inspired you? What articles, books, plays, performances, films or lectures have influenced you?
Do you have volunteer, travel, internship or work experience that has contributed to your interest in your field of study?
What kind of positive feedback have you received from others about your work?
What are your career goals? What do you hope to gain from this career? What do you hope to contribute to this field? How will graduate school help you attain your professional goals?
How has your academic background prepared you to succeed in graduate or professional school? What body of relevant knowledge will you take with you to graduate or professional school? What particular attributes or characteristics make you likely to succeed in this field/career?
What are your biggest accomplishments or proudest moments?
Do you have research experience? Consider publications, working titles and/or faculty research with which you assisted. Can you spell out the purposes, goals, findings, implications of the research? What did you learn (techniques, concepts, other skills)? What professors at target schools have similar research interests?
What do you know about the city, state and/or region of your target schools? Do you have a connection to the area? Is the geographic area important to your research interests or field of study?
How does this graduate program or professional school fit your personality and goals? Why are you attracted to this program over others?
What classes or projects will you complete between the time of your application and beginning graduate or professional school? What are your plans for the months or year(s) before you enroll?

Once you have spent some time writing responses to these questions, evaluate your answers and notes. Do any of them fit together? Some individuals will find their answers naturally flow together in essay format while others will pick one or a few topics to highlight.

Step Two: First Draft

Before you begin writing, know the questions you need to answer for each program to which you are applying and any word or page limits extended by that program. You should plan on re-writing your essay several times and tailoring each one to the program to which you are applying.

Concentrate on writing openly, honestly, and in your own voice. Keep language straightforward and simple. Write how you speak in order to capture your personality within your essay. Graduate and professional schools not only want to know about your academic preparation and if you are ready for graduate level work, but also who you are as a person. It may help to imagine you are writing to a friend.

As you write, try to maintain focus on content, not on style or grammar. Do not go back and edit your essay until you finish getting your ideas on paper. Try not to over-think your first draft or second guess your reader.

When writing your opening paragraph or sentence, concentrate on grabbing the reader’s attention and making your opening line unique. Tell a story, give an example, use vivid detail and avoid clichés or generic sentences. As your essay progresses, be sure to assess whether or not you are answering the question(s) provided by the program. Remember that you do not need to discuss in great detail everything you have ever done. In most cases, your résumé, CV, transcript or other documentation will also be available for admissions personnel to consider. Refer to these documents if necessary and remember to provide a qualitative analysis of a few things you have done or experienced rather than a long list of experiences forced within the limitations of page or word requirements.

Step Three: Revise

Once you have a working first draft, read through your essay as if you were an admissions representative or faculty member of the program to which you are applying. Ask yourself: Are the examples you give the most relevant examples you can provide? Are there any areas that reveal character weaknesses, such as laziness, dishonesty or egocentricity? Do you provide a sense of maturity, compassion, stamina, teamwork, leadership ability and/or likeability without addressing these issues directly? (Instead of saying, “I am intelligent… compassionate…etc.” describe situations where you demonstrated those qualities.) Watch for arrogance or overconfidence. For example, instead of stating, “Scientists would be better off if…” write, “I believe scientists would be better off if…” Remember, your words will be reviewed by experts in your field. Be careful not to alienate your reader(s).

Next, look for areas and ways you can spice up your essay. Add vivid details where you can. Consider the following example:

Before: “I worked as a teacher’s aide at a daycare.”
After: “Last summer I was a teacher’s aide at a daycare espousing principles of Rheikofkian development theory, using only positive interaction. I was commended by the head teacher for devising new games that exemplified this theory in practice and for reaching a particular student who had been diagnosed as borderline emotionally disturbed.”

If your essay is too long, reduce the number of topics you address and focus instead on a few key points. Trust that your reader will look over your other application materials, especially if you refer to them in your essay.

After you finalize your essay content, read it several times to correct any grammatical errors. Now is the time to seek input from other reviewers, including your peers, professors, Career Center staff and other trusted individuals. Accept their feedback, but make your own decisions about essay content and style.

Financial Aid

Fellowships On the graduate level, fellowships are equivalent to scholarships. They are monetary awards given on the basis of scholastic record. The funds are generated either from an institution's own endowment of current income or sponsored by a private foundation, industry or the government. Catalogs outline institutional fellowships and directories identify other sponsors of fellowships. Ask departments about applying for fellowships.

Assistantships
Individual departments award teaching assistantships (TAs) and research assistantships (RAs). You work part-time while pursuing your studies. A stipend (a small amount of money) serves as a remuneration and sometimes tuition remission (exemption from paying tuition) is granted. Inquire within the departments.

Resident Assistantship
Residence hall directors or graduate resident assistants work in the residence halls while pursuing their graduate studies. Usually, compensation includes tuition remission, a stipend and housing. Some programs offer credit.

Long Term Educational Loans
The federal government offers low interest loans which you begin repaying several months after graduation and repay over a long period of time. The Perkins Loan Program and Stafford Student Loans are among these. A special application for financial aid and/or a loan is usually required. Check with the financial aid department and local banks for information.

College Work Study
Institutions offer part-time employment to students who demonstrate a need for financial aid.

Other Employment
Most communities provide opportunities for work. Check with the Career Center at the institution you will be attending.

Additional Information
Financing Graduate Education: A Guide for Prospective Students (pdf) - by NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Adminsitrators)

Resources

Utilize all the resources available to you (faculty, alumni, on-campus recruiters, etc.). Graduate school and financial aid resources are located in the Career Center resource library.

Questions frequently asked by graduate programs

Why did you choose this graduate program?
What are some of the reasons that you have chosen this profession?
Tell me about your experience in the field.
Why did you choose the college you attended?
What are some of the reasons why we should accept you over the hundreds of other applicants?
1. in terms of the profession.
2. in terms of the graduate program.
Why do you want to go to graduate school now rather than working for a few years first?
If you are not accepted into graduate school, what would you do?
How do you think grades and test scores should be evaluated for graduate school admission?
What are you long range goals?
Describe three of your strengths and three of your weaknesses.
What will your lifestyle be like ten years from now?
If you could do anything at all with your life and money was no object, what would it be?
What are some of the rewards and frustrations of this profession?
What accomplishment has given you the greatest satisfaction?
What do you think your life will be like while you are in graduate school?
1. How do you deal with problems?
2. How do you work under pressure?
What was your most rewarding college experience?
What is important to you?
What college courses did you like the most? Why?
What college courses did you like the least? Why?
Tell me about yourself.
How would your best friend describe you? Your worst enemy?
Do you think that your grades and test scores are a good indication of your academic achievement?

Checklist of suggested activities

Spring of Junior Year

Attend meeting for juniors considering graduate or professional school
Decide when to attend graduate or professional school
Choose discipline of study
Research programs of study in career library (Peterson's Guide, etc.)
Begin thinking about letters of recommendation
Talk with faculty, deans, alumni about programs of study and particular schools

Summer Between Junior and Senior Year

Request information from graduate and professional schools (catalog, application, financial aid information, faculty lists, etc.)
Visit / interview with prospective schools
Discuss graduate and professional schools and programs of study with alumni and professionals in the field
Prepare for and/or take entrance exam (if applicable)

Fall of Senior Year

Attend senior meeting
Attend graduate and professional school workshop
Discuss your academic plans with dean, advisors, career center staff
Participate in graduate and professional school fairs and forums
Meet with on-campus graduate and professional school representatives
Apply for specialized forms of financial aid
Complete applications
Take entrance exam(s)
Be certain letters of recommendation are on file

Winter of Senior Year

Submit all applications and financial aid materials by specified deadlines

Spring of Senior Year

Make decisions about enrollment based on acceptances / rejections

NOTE: This schedule is based on one's desire to attend graduate school directly after college. Adjust the timeline according to your anticipated enrollment date.