Graduate Studies

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1. Is graduate school right for me?
This is a question you should consider as a prospective graduate student. Very carefully, assess your professional goals, the cost of a graduate education (which varies greatly) and the length of time and type of study required for your desired degree. Bear in mind that graduate programs can be demanding, yet the rewards will be great if you pursue an advanced degree in a field which is important and interesting to you. Remember, only you can answer the question "Is it worth it?" -- but, with a little research and forethought, you will be well prepared to make that decision.

2. How will a graduate degree increase and improve my job opportunities?
This depends upon your career interests. Not every occupation requires a graduate or advanced degree. For some careers, an advanced degree is an essential requirement. You should definitely research the qualifications required for entering and earning promotions in your desired field. For example, an MBA (Master of Business Administration), while not required to obtain a starting job in banking, sales, marketing, or financial consulting is nearly always needed to advance in these and related careers. Medical doctors and lawyers must complete graduate or advanced degree programs dedicated to training in those fields. If you want to teach or conduct research at a university, a Ph.D. is almost always required. Moreover, there are positions in practically every industry that require at least a Master's degree, whether the field is technical (e.g., engineering), education or service-oriented (e.g., teaching or social work), art-related (e.g., graphic design) or business-related (e.g., marketing or management).

Overall, a graduate degree will almost always improve not only the number and diversity of job opportunities available, but earning potential as well. Certain fields and industries, however, do value advanced degrees much more than others. Research the matter carefully and be sure to calculate all of the financial and personal pros and cons of obtaining a graduate education.

3. What can I expect from a graduate school experience?
This question is likely to elicit different responses, both positive and negative, depending on whom you ask. Some will say that graduate school is a grueling, arduous ordeal to be avoided at all costs. Others will say it is a fantastic, stimulating, and completely rewarding experience.

The graduate school experience will differ greatly depending on the program and degree. Master's programs typically last 1 to 2 years. Doctoral programs can typically last anywhere from 4 to 7 years. Certain specialized programs, like law school, often take 3 years. In addition, Master's, Doctoral, and law students must pass a major exam and/or write a thesis paper to complete their degrees.

Graduate-level courses are generally more demanding and more in-depth than undergraduate work. Class sizes are often quite small, and you may participate in several "seminar" type courses that require active involvement, including formal in-class presentations. You can expect high-level reading assignments and a strong demand for critical thinking or problem solving. Graduate programs in the sciences will probably require much lab and/or research work beyond the classroom, often in conjunction with a particular professor's current study.

4. How do I select a graduate school?
Just about every school tends to emphasize certain subject areas and critical approaches over others. You should carefully research a number of graduate programs to find the school that best suits your interests and abilities.

When selecting a school, look at the specific program rather than the university as a whole. What are the program's requirements? Do these requirements match well with your goals and abilities? How long is the program? Can you successfully pursue what you are most interested in studying? If part-time study is important to you, evaluate whether the school is supportive to part-time students and/or working professionals. Be sure to check the individual course listings and descriptions in the university catalog (many are available online). You should also seek out schools with professors and coursework which correspond to your specialized interests.

You might also find it useful to investigate the theoretical trends in the prospective department. Are the trends liberal or conservative? Investigate your prospective professors' published works and course offerings. Do they seem amenable to, hostile to, or indifferent to your own point(s) of view and interests? Avoid clashes, academic brick walls, and headaches by finding an intellectual environment in sync with your own perspective.

Finally, consider which schools offer the best financial aid package for your individual circumstances. A school that wants you very much as a student may be willing to fund your entire education. On the other hand, many schools will give you partial support, in the form of assistantships, fellowships, work-study, and loans. Also, assess whether the level of funding can be sustained throughout your entire program.

5. When should I start thinking about applying to graduate school?
Most graduate schools will only admit students for the fall semester. At the end of your junior year in college or, if you are out of school, at least a full year before you intend to begin your graduate program, you should contact the universities that interest you. When you contact the school, ask for applications for graduate admission and financial aid, as well as for a catalog of the appropriate division of the school. Most graduate catalogs are published separately from the undergraduate one, and many different programs at the same school have their own catalog.

Once you begin to receive materials, you may consider contacting individual faculty members who teach in your area and who seem to share your interests. It is perfectly acceptable to contact professors with whom you would like to work. Communication with potential future professors may ultimately help you to choose the program that's right for you.

Many graduate school applications have deadlines between December and January. You need to submit a completed application by the deadline. There are likely to be other requirements you need to meet prior to the deadline to make certain your file is complete by the deadline. Schools often ask for recommendations from a previous professor or employer and usually require standardized tests, personal statements, and official undergraduate transcripts.

6. To how many schools should I apply?
You should probably apply to no more than six, but you should consider beginning with at least three or four options. Graduate application fees are often relatively high, so you should be selective about the applications you choose to submit. Always apply to your number one top choice. Be practical, too, though. You should also apply to two or three other good schools, and to one or two "safety" schools as well (i.e., schools worth attending, even if not as attractive as your top three or four choices). Keep in mind that if you fail to get into your top schools, it may be worthwhile to get a master's degree at another school, and then apply for a Ph.D. later. A good graduate school performance at the master's level may help to secure a spot in a top-ranking doctoral degree program.

7. What tests are required for graduate school?
You should consult each school's individual guidelines to determine which test or tests are required, the dates by which test scores must be submitted, and the average scores of students (or the "cut-off" scores) above which an applicant must achieve in order to be considered for admission.

Most graduate programs require the GRE (Graduate Records Examination). The GRE is offered in both paper and computer-based forms. The standard paper-based test is usually given only three times a year: once in October/November, once in December, and once in the spring (April). Computer-based testing is offered year-round. You should take the GRE as early as possible; that way, if you do not score as high as you had hoped, you can re-test. Also, knowing your scores in advance may help you decide to which schools you can and should reasonably apply. For more information, visit www.gre.org.

Some graduate programs may require or accept the MAT (Miller Analogies Test) either in addition to, or instead of, a test like the GRE. For more information on the MAT, visit the Miller Analogies website.

Business-related programs typically require the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), offered year-round as a computer-based test. Law schools typically require the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). Medical students must take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). Students whose native language is not English may also be required to take the TOEFL. As with the GRE, the majority of these tests should be taken as early as possible to provide you the option to take a second test if you do not do as well as you hoped. For additional information on admission tests, please visit our test center.

Most test services will typically report your scores from the last five years to the school, so you shouldn't take any test just for practice! You should be as prepared as you can be every time you take one of these standardized graduate exams. Some schools may only consider your highest score, some your most recent, while others may average all of your scores together.

8. What should I know about letters of recommendation?
Depending upon the school to which you are applying, you will be required to submit either two or three letters of recommendation. Request these letters from the professors who have received your best work, for whom you have worked the hardest, or who teach in your projected field of study. It is a good idea to ask for a letter from a professor in the department of your major. If you have a separate minor, you may also want to request a letter from a faculty member in that department as well.

Since most application deadlines fall between December and January, ask for these letters as early as possible. This is obviously more courteous to your recommending professors, and the abundant time will allow them to write a more complete, informative letter. Offer to provide your professors with the papers you wrote for them, or even give them copies of your transcript, to help remind them of your work and your interests.

If you are asking for recommendations to more than one school, it is best that you inform the professor of how many letters you will need such that he or she can write one basic letter, simplifying his or her task.

Most importantly, you should be sure to follow all the specific directions for letters of recommendation in each school's application. (For example, do you need to fill out an official recommendation form?)

9. What can I expect in a graduate school interview?
Your interview may be quite formal or relatively informal, with a university alumnus, department faculty member, or other university official. Like a job interview, the graduate school interview involves some careful preparation. Think about your interests, goals, and intended field of research. How did you become interested in your projected field? What have you already accomplished to further your interests? Keep in mind your relevant coursework, thesis papers or research projects, volunteer and/or professional experience, awards you have received, and any published work that is applicable to your academic or professional interests.

Be sure you are familiar with the school to which you are applying. How will its focus and resources further your own academic or career plan? Is there a particular faculty member (or a few) with whom you would like to work? Be prepared to answer why you are applying to this school in particular.

Finally, feel free to come to the interview with questions of your own. What would you like to know about the school, its curriculum, the program to which you are applying, financial aid, etc.? Be sure you are able to articulate these thoughts and questions in a mature and straightforward manner. You may even want to bring some notes to remind you of questions or points you would like to address.

10. Can I enter graduate school in the spring?
Probably not. It is true that some graduate schools accept students in the spring semester, but it is usually not recommended. Funding for graduate students is typically awarded for students entering the fall semester; so, even if you are accepted for spring admission, the school resources may be depleted. It may be to your advantage to wait to apply for fall, or to defer your acceptance until the following fall semester.

11. What financial aid is available for graduate school?
Graduate schools typically award aid on the basis of undergraduate scholastic achievement and/or professional potential. Aid is usually in the form of a tuition waiver or reduction, or a cash stipend to help defray educational and personal expenses. Graduate schools often, but not always, require students receiving aid to work as researchers or teaching assistants.

Actively pursue aid available from the specific department that interests you. Most funding comes directly from each department. The department chairperson and other faculty often determine which students receive funds. Some professors personally choose their teaching assistants, research assistants, and fellows. Develop good relationships with your advisor and the faculty members working on projects and subjects related to your academic interests.

Apply for fellowships offered by national foundations. These prestigious and often lucrative awards are highly competitive and usually require that you are well along in your graduate program; however, some national fellowships are available to first-year graduate students.

Seek dissertation grants and project-related money. Some foundations award grants to doctoral students who have completed everything except their dissertation. Other grants, particularly those relating to the sciences or the visual and performing arts, are project-oriented. For such grants, you must have a clear outline of your project or dissertation, a detailed budget and a purposeful means of measuring the results of your work. You might be able to collaborate with a professor in your application for grants. Join the professional academic association in your field of study. These organizations often offer grant and fellowship opportunities.