Graduate Studies
Is grad school for me?
Before determining which graduate program(s) to pursue, the question to ask is, "Is grad school for me?" Assess whether you will be prepared to attend graduate or professional school as planned. Besides academic preparedness, consider factors such as location, ideal program/school size, family support, emotional preparedness, financial resources, and the whether or not you will have a strong support system during your years of study. Take time to examine your overall preparedness for graduate studies. This page helps to answer some common questions you may have about the application process.
How should I prepare for grad school?
What are some application imperatives?
How can I improve my grad school application?
How should I prepare for the entrance exams?
How do I prepare for the admissions interview(s)?
Where can I get additional information about graduate programs?
How should I prepare for grad school?
Second year
- Explore your discipline and look for an area of interest or specialization.
- Identify faculty who are conducting research in an area that interests you.
- Pursue summer work that will provide you with valuable experience in your field.
Third year
- Determine your research specialty as best you can. (Courses you have taken, papers you have written, discussions with your professors, and your career goal should help you narrow your interests.)
- Work on a faculty research project. (Ideally this will be in the area you would like to pursue, but any research experience is valuable.)
- Identify the schools that offer the degree you would like to obtain. (Research these schools and select the ones you will apply to. This is an ongoing process, but one which you should start early.)
- Obtain testing dates for any entrance exams (GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, etc.) you will have to write. (Plan when you will write them.)
Fourth year
- In September, obtain application materials from the schools you have selected. (Note application deadlines. Completing applications takes time, and even January may be too late.)
- Evaluate the schools and determine which ones you will apply to.
- Because the process is competitive, most students apply to a number of schools. Each application will cost a substantial amount of money. You will have to find a balance that works for you.
- From November to December, submit application materials.
- Ensure that your application materials have been received.
What are some application imperatives?
- Deadlines and required materials vary according to the type of program and the specific school. This general guideline includes application materials. (Carefully read the application materials for each school you plan to apply to.)
- Start early. Materials like test results, transcripts, and references must be submitted by second parties. Make sure that you give them enough time to meet the deadline.
WARNING: One missing or late piece of information can keep your application out of the selection committee's hands, regardless of how impressive the rest of your application is.
- Application Form (This should be complete, neat, and error free, like a job application.)
- Application Fee (This can range from $25 to $150 per school.)
- Statement of Interests
- Letters of Reference
- Official Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you attended.
- Standardized Test Results (i.e., GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, OCAT, PCAT)
The admissions process involves several steps and takes considerable time.
- Register to take the test.
- Write the test.
- Indicate where you want the results sent.
- Wait for the test to be scored.
- Receive the results by mail.
- Document any publications and/or fellowships that you have secured.
- Interview with the admissions committee.
How can I improve my grad school application?
G.P.A.
Push yourself to earn good grades. While it is never too late to improve your GPA, it can be difficult to recover from a bad year. If you are considering graduate school, make sure you obtain grades that will keep you in contention.
References
You need excellent references. A minimal endorsement is not an endorsement at all. It is important to develop genuine relationships with faculty members in your field. Faculty members cannot attest to your abilities if they have not witnessed them.
Statement of Interests
Make sure your statement of interests is organized, concise, and positive. Don't use it as an opportunity to explain a weak part of your application, unless you are asked to do so. Address everything that is requested of you. If the application doesn't give you guidelines, do your best to determine what the institution is looking for. Admission committees typically look for your:
- expectations for the program
- writing ability
- area of interest
- immediate and long-term goals
- maturity
- reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in your field and at their school
-
personal uniqueness - qualities you would bring to their program
Personal Statement & Essay for Grad School
The following links provide detailed information for this portion of your application. CDO staff is available to review and critique your personal statement or essay upon its completion. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
Purdue University Writing Lab
Essayedge.com
Dartmouth College
University of California, Berkeley
How should I prepare for the entrance exams?
Relax and don't pressure yourself. Many of the standardized tests are measuring aptitudes that are not amenable to quick change. Preparation will not drastically change your abilities, but it definitely will improve your score!
Increased Speed = A Higher Score
Anything you can do to increase the rate at which you can answer questions correctly will result in a better score.
- Familiarity with the instructions and the types of questions will save you time.
- Specific strategies can help you determine the correct answer more quickly.
- Simulating the testing experience before taking a test will increase your comfort level and concentration at the time you take the test.
The registration booklet, descriptive booklet, books from the CDO Resource Library, and the internet have sample tests. The registration booklet contains order forms for software. KAPLAN offers test preparation materials as well. Call 1.800.KAP.TEST.
Standardized Tests
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- General Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
- Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
- Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
- Dental Aptitude Test (DAT)
- Dental Admission Test (DAT)
- Millar Analogy Test (MAT)
- Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)
- Optometry Admissons Test (OAT)
CAUTION: Preparation can be expensive. Consider affordable alternatives and spend your money on things you know will help you.
How do I prepare for the admissions interview?
Some programs use a formal interview as a part of their selection procedures. To prepare for any interview, anticipate the types of questions that will be asked. You can get an idea of the kind of person the selection committee is looking for by talking to current students and faculty. The committee's questions will help them determine if you have the qualities that the program requires. Contact us to schedule a practice interview if you wish to gain more insight into your interviewing skills and techniques.
Common interview questions:
- Why did you choose this graduate program?
- What are some of the reasons that you have chosen this profession?
- Tell me about your experiences in your field of interest.
- Why should we choose you over the many other applicants?
- What are your long-range goals?
- Describe three of your strengths and weaknesses.
- What was your most rewarding university experience?
- What do you do in your spare time?
- What are your hobbies?
Additional Resources
Below are links to additional resources for graduate school preparation. Remember, CDO staff is available to assist you with the process, so contact us if you have any questions.