|
|||||||
| HOME | ABOUT CAREER SERVICES | TITAN JOBS | CAREER & JOB FAIRS | RESOURCES | EMPLOYERS | ||
• Resources |
Graduate School Information Several basic questions must be answered initially if you are considering graduate work. No general answer exists to the questions below, but there are sources from which you can receive assistance. Graduate work is a significant commitment for an individual to assume. Careful consideration of the pros and cons will save hours of uncertainty. Additional Resources & Links UW Oshkosh Graduate School & Research - Degree requirements for 15 graduate degrees offered at UW Oshkosh, along with admissions, registration, financial aid, and policy information. Graduate Schools - A comprehensive on-line source of graduate school information AAMC Website - Premed students flock this way! Comprehensive site including information on medical schools, the Association of American Medical Colleges, research, as well as student and applicant information. Graduate School Rankings: U.S. News & World Report: While career development professionals shy away from rankings, we know students love 'em. Please use them responsibly. The new 1996 rankings are here! GRE Online: One of the best designed sites we're reviewed in awhile. Eye-popping graphics. Contains adequate information about GRE test dates and questions you may have about the new CBT (computer based testing) format. Peterson's Education Center: Plenty of useful information for those of you researching graduate school programs. Includes links directly to graduate and professional schools/programs who currently have websites available. Psychology Graduate School Information: Information on applying to graduate schools in psychology. Yahoo's List of Universities: Check out this listing to see if the universities you are considering have a presence on the www. This listing is the most comprehensive available. Covers all countries in the world. What is Graduate School all about and how does it differ from Undergraduate School? Graduate school differs from your undergraduate education in that it involves specialized study of one specific area. Even though, while at college, you spent some time gaining knowledge in your chosen major, you were introduced to a wide variety of other specialties. Through your curriculum, you were able to gain skills and knowledge that prepared you for graduate school or the world of work. Graduate school further prepares you for your career interest through specialized courses, research and/or internships. These components will give you practical professional skills and an in depth knowledge of your field of study. Graduate school can also serve the needs of others who are interested in expanding their knowledge of a particular interest that may have little to do with their professional goals. To complete the program, usually some type of original research in the form of a thesis or dissertation or a final comprehensive exam is required.
Additional Resources: How to be a Good Graduate Student -- Excellent resources with all kinds of pointers on how to survive graduate school! Deciding whether to attend graduate school is a decision that requires some careful thought and is one that should not be made lightly. There are several questions that you can ask yourself to assist you in this process. 1. Do I really love the field enough to obtain an advanced degree? Going to graduate school usually involves a career choice. You really need to be enthused in this career area to be able to keep up with the demands and intensity of graduate life. Take some time to investigate your field of interest before applying. Talk to alumni or professors in the field and read resources on the subject. 2. Is an advanced degree required to enter a particular profession or obtain a certain level within the field? In many professional fields such as medicine, law, psychology, and education, an advanced degree is a must. For others, a graduate degree can enhance your earning power in an occupation and can influence how far and fast you will advance in your field. Most human service fields are examples of this. Your chances of obtaining increased responsibility in your job will be enhanced through obtaining an advanced degree. 3. Am I burned out academically and do I need to take some time off? Take some time to assess your energy level. Do you have the motivation to stay in school for one to seven more years? You may need to take some time off to "discover yourself" and/or gain some work experience. Many students find that after taking time off to work, they are better prepared academically for graduate school and have clearer defined goals. They also find that they have a better perspective on life in general and they have the energy to invest themselves in their education. Taking time off can also give you the information needed to determine exactly what program you need for a particular field. In addition, some graduate schools won't accept students without some prior work experience. (This is true of most MBA programs) 4. Am I postponing some tough decisions by going to graduate school? Make sure you are deciding on going to graduate school for the right reasons. Some students feel tempted to continue their education because they don't feel ready to face the demands of "real life" or aren't clear on what career they want to pursue. These are exactly the reasons not to go to graduate school. Some programs that incorporate internships and work-related experiences into the program do serve as a good transition period from college to work life. You need to be clear on your goals before committing the time and expense. 5. Do I want to go to school full-time or part-time? Going to graduate school full- time is a more intensive process and allows you to interact with the colleagues in your program at a closer level. Some programs require that you go full-time and it may be difficult or not possible to get some types of financial aid without attending full-time. Attending school part-time, though, does allow you chance to work in the field, earn money and complete your degree during a longer time period. Another option may be able to work in an organization that is willing to foot the bill for graduate school. 6. Do I have the personal qualities and skills that are needed to be successful in graduate school? Although there is no ideal profile for the successful graduate student, there are some qualities that are important in order to make it through productively. Some of these skills include intelligence, initiative and self-discipline. Most graduate programs assume that students will maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Time management skills, being focused and persistence are also qualities. In addition, the ability to establish good working relationships with your fellow students, faculty and internship mentors is also important. Should You Enter a Doctoral Program or a Master's Degree Program? The answer depends on the area in which you hope to specialize and your own purpose for pursuing graduate study. If your primary goal is to teach college or be involved in high level research, than a doctoral program is for you. In making this decision, consider these points . . .
Do You Have What It Takes? Here is a list of some of the personal characteristics of successful graduate students. What applies to you?
Admission Requirements: 1. Application and Fee: Make sure the application is neatly typed or written (preferably typed) and is mailed by the deadline. If the schools you are applying to have rolling admission, you should apply as early as possible as applicants are reviewed as their applications are submitted. Even those schools with a regular admission process like to see applications that are submitted in advance of the deadline. 2. Admissions Test Scores: Each institution has their own requirements regarding admission tests requirements and this information can be found in either the Peterson's or GRE's graduate guides. The GRE, GMAT and LSAT Registration booklets can be picked up in college career services offices. Within the registration booklet, you will find the dates of the exams, pre-registration deadlines and one practice test. It is advisable to spend some time going over individual questions and taking more than one practice test. Test preparation books are useful and preparatory classes such as the Stanley Kaplan may be helpful, though costly.
3. Official Transcripts: Most schools ask that an official transcript be sent from your college's Registrar office. The transcript demonstrates your receipt of an undergraduate degree, the classes you took and grades received. If you have taken classes or received a degree at another institution, you need to request a transcript from that school as well. 4. Grade Point Average: The GPA is one factor that graduate schools will take into account. The standard GPA needed for acceptance to most graduate schools is a 3.0. Many other schools will accept students with less than a 3.0, though, so don't rule out graduate school if your GPA is below that mark. Concentrate on and market your strengths. If your GPA is below the average of those generally accepted, work on enhancing your personal statement, admission test scores or gain some relevant work experience. The types of courses taken, your GPA and evidence of improvement, if you did not start out strongly, will all be looked at. Some programs require a specific major or courses to be admitted. 5. Letters of Recommendation: Letters should be requested early from either professors or employers who can attest to your abilities. Individuals who can speak most clearly about your abilities and accomplishments are your best bets. Admissions officers like to see specific examples about different facets of the applicant. The reference should include some statements about your skills, accomplishments and character. They can also be used to explain a negative in your application. Have employers or professors use the forms enclosed in the application and give them information on what your professional interests and goals are (a copy of your personal statement or resume is helpful). Also provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. 6. Personal Statement: The purpose of the personal statement is to give you the opportunity to articulate your goals and reasons for applying to graduate school in your particular field of study. You may need to brainstorm before starting the draft on what's unique about you, how you interested in the field, your personal characteristics and skills and your previous experiences. The opening paragraph should grab the reader's attention. Introduce the main elements that you will discuss in the statement. The middle paragraph should include the "meat" of the statement, why you are interested in the field and any relevant experience you have had. State some of your long-term goals and be specific. You should state what you can offer the program and in turn what you will gain from it. You could also include some of your personal qualities and strengths. The closing paragraph should leave the reader with an image of you that they will remember. You should either re-articulate the main points of the statement, or add a particularly significant point. An average length of the statement is around two pages or approximately 500 words. Some items that should be left out of a personal statement are, any information from high school (unless an interest in the field began in high school), potentially controversial subjects and any item that doesn't answer the question asked or follow the guidelines specified. Be selective. The purpose is to demonstrate your enthusiasm and the statement should show your personality and individualism. Lastly, it is important that the statement be well written. A resource that may be of help to you is: How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School Richard J. Stelzer. Peterson's Guides 7. Interview: Some schools will require an interview for acceptance. If you are applying for an assistantship or internship, an interview may also be required. If the school does not require an interview, it would still be advantageous to schedule a time to meet with a faculty member or chairperson of the department for which you are applying. This meeting will provide an opportunity for you to find out more information about the school and the program. Before the interview, you should read over the catalog to become familiar with the institution's goals and functions. The following are possible questions asked by graduate schools in an interview:
8. Other: Samples of previous work may be required for some programs such as Art, Architecture, Public Relations and Journalism. A portfolio can be created to highlight any work you are proud of. Other programs may require evidence of previous work experience in the field. This shows your enthusiasm and interest in the field and demonstrates out-of-class learning. Additional Resources: Preparing Graduate School Admission Essays Start searching for your perfect graduate program early! The junior year, and no later than the beginning of the second semester of the junior year, is the time most students seriously consider graduate work. Many prestigious schools, programs and fellowships have very early deadline dates - often in October of the senior year. If you plan to delay graduate study after receipt of your bachelors degree, begin planning approximately 18 months before expected entrance. The following are approximate deadlines to remember: October - January: Major deadlines for fellowships outside of institutional moneys. January 15 - February 1: Standard deadlines for receipt of graduate school admission application and fellowship applications. Check to be certain. April 1: Standard date for awards of financial aid. April 1 - 15: Standard dates for notification of admission. April 15: Date by which financial aid must be accepted or rejected. Faculty members in your major department should be able to advise you in many areas of graduate work. Some, hopefully, will know your past academic performance and future potential. They will certainly be able to suggest institutions that might be appropriate for your future academic plans. It is important, therefore, that you know one or two faculty members well. They can provide much information and, in some instances, may be willing to assist with applications for both admission and financial aid. In addition to discussing graduate education with faculty, you should take the opportunity to read university catalogs. Write for catalogs of the schools that are of interest to you. Some universities may include their catalogs on their website. Catalogs for most universities in the United States and major universities abroad are also available in some libraries. No absolute criteria are available for judging graduate or professional schools. Ultimately, you will need to determine your selection factors. The following items may be used in evaluating each school you are considering. The questions might best be answered after you have visited a campus where there is a graduate program of interest to you: Employment - What will I be doing 3-5 years after I complete my graduate program? It pays to find out what kinds of employment are most frequently taken by graduates of the program you are considering. Attrition - Do students of this graduate program frequently fail to complete their degree program? Depth in the Faculty - How many faculty members does the department have? What is the faculty/student ratio and are the faculty accessible to the students? Does the department's reputation rest heavily upon the shoulders of just one or two professors? What if they should go elsewhere? Diversity in the Faculty - Are there a variety of points of view in the department, or are most of the faculty members' approach to the discipline rather single-minded? Would you rather be a disciple or develop your own approach to the field? What is the philosophy of the department and do most professors share this view? Faculty Publications - What have the faculty member published lately? This will give you an idea of whether the faculty's interests are similar to your own. If you are attending graduate school for research in a specific discipline, it is important to identify a faculty member, who has research interests similar to yours, to have as a mentor. Is the faculty committed to teaching, research or both? Availability of Faculty - Are there several big names on the faculty? If so, how often would you actually see, talk or work with these people? Internships and Assistantships - Does the program have any planned practical experiences? If so, where would you be likely to work and what would you do? Fellowships and Funds - How much fellowship money is available? How many students receive awards? Career Development Assistance - How many students in the program complete it? What percentage of graduates in the department succeed in finding employment? To what extent is the department helpful in enabling the graduates to find suitable work? What kinds of employment do students find? Where do most students find jobs and live after graduation? Admissions Preferences - Does the department prefer to have their graduates fresh out of undergraduate school? Or, do they prefer applicants having work experience relevant to their field? How competitive is admission? What are admission requirements (GPA, work experience, classes, test scores etc.) and do you have the requirements needed? You may want to apply to one or two "safety" schools and one or two more competitive schools. Does the program favor applicants with work experience or those who are recent graduates? Facilities - Are there adequate libraries, research facilities, special equipment, computers, etc.? Curriculum - Look at the courses of the program. Does it meet your needs and does it suit your educational and professional goals? Is a thesis or a final exam required? Is there some sort of practical experience or internship included? How long is the program and how many credits are required? The same program can vary in credit hours from one to school to another. Reputation/Quality of Program · What is the reputation of the school in general and what is the reputation of the program within the field? Is the program accredited and if so, by whom? Location/Size · Do you want to attend a large or small school? Do you prefer a large or small program? In what geographic area would you like to attend school? Do you need to be close to family and/or friends? Would you like the school to be located in an urban or rural setting? What activities does the community offer? Is there graduate housing available and how difficult is it to find off-campus housing? What public transportation is available? Cost/Financial Aid · What is the cost of the program? What are the hidden costs? Is the cost expected to increase in the future? How much financial assistance is available in the form of assistantships, loans and fellowships? After you have gathered all the necessary information, comprise a list of 5-8 schools in which you are seriously interested. Included on this list should be 2-3 reputable schools in which your likelihood of acceptance is greater. Because of the competition for admission to graduate school, alternative choices are a necessary consideration.
University Links -- Search by category, alphabet, state You may feel you need to take a couple of years off to work to save money for graduate school. Many graduate students, though, are able to cover all or a substantial amount of the cost with grants, fellowships or assistantships. Obtaining loans are also a possibility. Make sure you investigate these options before deciding you don't have the financial means. Graduate awards are usually given on the basis of past academic achievement and future scholarly potential. Economic need is, in most cases, considered in conjunction with academic achievement. In doctoral programs, most students have the opportunity to work as teaching or research assistantships. Try these websites for detailed financial aid information: www.kaploan.com and www.finaid.org. 1. Fellowships · National Fellowships · National fellowships are available from public and private agencies. Here are some major sources of fellowships:
NOTE: Because of the competitiveness of these fellowships, one has to start planning early to meet the expectations of the committees who make these awards. While it is always worthwhile trying for such awards, in some cases you may have a better chance of selection after you are in graduate school. If you re-apply during your graduate school years, it will demonstrate your determination and commitment. University Fellowships Most universities will award fellowships on the basis of merit and department recommendation. These usually cover tuition and provide a stipend. You will learn if you've been awarded a fellowship when you receive your letter of acceptance. 2. Assistantships These are usually sponsored by the institution to which you are applying. Deadlines for applying for assistantships are often earlier than for normal admission. In some cases, graduate schools limit the number of acceptances they offer to the number of candidates they can support through assistantships. If you are awarded an assistantship you can incur minimal debts for your graduate work.
3. Loans To apply for Federal Financial Aid, you'll need to complete the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA). Aid is available through:
4. Identifying Other Sources Step 1: The best sources of information on financial aid are the universities you are hoping to attend. After reviewing information in the catalog, contact the Financial Aid Office and the department to which you hope to be accepted. Find out:
Step 2: Submit financial aid applications EARLY. Deadlines are often earlier than application deadlines. Some reminders... · Record your name the SAME WAY ON ALL FORMS. Be sure that your date of birth and social security number is correct. This will avoid any confusion with candidates who have similar names or if papers are filed by social security number.
Step 3: When applying for financial aid provided by graduate or professional schools and private scholarship programs, you may be asked to complete the GAPSFAS (Graduate and Professional School Financial Aid Service) forms. There is a fee for this service. GAPSFAS provides:
Additional Resources: Graduate Fellowships Newsletter Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid Grants and Fellowships via Environmental Protection Agency |
|
| | 230 Dempsey Hall | | 800 Algoma Blvd. | | Oshkosh, WI 54901 | |
Phone: 920-424-2181 | | Fax: 920-424-1000 | |
|