SU STUDENT GUIDE

TO

PREPARING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL

For further assistance come to Career Services on the first floor of the Guerrieri University Center, Room 133. The hours are 8:00-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. You may also call for an appointment (410) 543-6075; fax (410) 546-6910 or e-mail at careerservices@ssu.edu. Visit our web site at: www.ssu.edu/careerservices

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WHAT IS GRADUATE SCHOOL ALL ABOUT? 1

IS GRADUATE SCHOOL FOR ME? 2

Positive Reasons 2Questionable Reasons 3Self Assessment 3

HOW DO I SELECT A GRADUATE PROGRAM? 5

THE OPTION OF DISTANCE LEARNING

6

WHAT ARE TYPICAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS? 7

General Requirements 7Application 7

Test Requirements7Undergraduate Transcripts 8Letters of Recommendation 8The Personal Statement9Packaging of Application Materials 10 Interview 10

HOW CAN I FINANCE GRADUATE SCHOOL? 11

OTHER RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOU

12

GRADUATE SCHOOL CHECKLIST AND TIMELINE 13

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

14

WHAT IS GRADUATE SCHOOL ALL ABOUT?Graduate school is similar to undergraduate school in that coursework continues. The main differences are:

More seminar-type courses, especially at advanced levels More reading papers, projects, presentations; fewer tests More research-oriented approaches Increased specialization of subject matter studies Less short-term feedback regarding academic progress Increased pressure to maintain high grades; B or better is

minimum standard for most universities.

A Masters Degree usually takes one to three years to complete when you are taking a full time course load (anywhere from two to four 3-credit

courses). Examples of degrees granted include: Master of Arts and Master of Science (research-based); Master of Fine Arts, Master of Library Science, Master of Education, and Master of Social Work (professionally-based), Master of Arts in Teaching.

Three typical structures for graduate programs are:l. Coursework & Thesis/Project - A thesis is an independent research project which is designed, carried out, written and defended before a committee of professors. Coursework is also required.2. Coursework & Exams - Some programs give the option of not writing a thesis, and allows the taking of comprehensive exams related to the coursework instead.3. Coursework & Internship - An internship is a supervised, experimental

learning situation, usually on a part-time basis. One or two semesters may be spent working in a setting related to the academic field in addition to completing courses.

A Doctoral Degree usually takes three to seven years to complete with a full course load. The degrees include, for example, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), Doctor ofEducation (Ed.D), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) (Law Degree), and Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Usual requirements are:l. Preliminary coursework. (generally 60 credits beyond the Masters)2. A master's degree, with or without a thesis.3. A comprehensive exam covering coursework. This may be written, oral, or both. 4. A dissertation - which is an original, independent research project. It must be judged to be a significant contribution to the discipline and is usually presented to a faculty committee. The presentation is termed Adefending the thesis.@ 5. Requirements for applied programs such as counseling, clinical psychology, education, nursing, or social work may involve some practical experience of a year's duration: a practicum, field work, internship , etc. which leads to licensing.

IS GRADUATE SCHOOL FOR ME? (SHOULD I GO DIRECTLY TO GRADUATE SCHOOL?)*

Attending graduate school immediately after graduation may be an option you are now considering. If so, careful reflection on your reasons for wanting to continue your education will help to ensure a sound decision.

If you have a clear sense of what career you want to pursue, and if an advanced degree is required for entry into that field, then graduate school is for you. Law, medicine, and college or university teaching, for instance, are

areas in which education beyond the baccalaureate level is required. Or, if you want to immerse yourself in the study of a particular academic discipline purely for the love of it, and would never forgive yourself if you did not at least give it a try, then advanced study will probably turn out to be a satisfying and valuable experience.

For most college graduates, however, the decision on whether to return to school will not be as clear-cut. Unsure of your career interests, you may regard the campus as a sheltered place in which to "find yourself." While this view is common and acceptable for undergraduates, it can present a real problem at the graduate level where you are expected to have clearly defined interests leading to an area of specialization.

A convincing argument can be made gaining work experience related to your interests before entering graduate school can lead to a more effective graduate program. First, related work experience will help you clarify ambiguous career goals. You will find out what it takes to be successful in a given profession, and you can then assess your abilities accordingly; this knowledge should help you decide upon an area of specialization. Second, the perspective, learning, and maturity acquired from practical experience can be applied to the theoretical concepts promoted in your studies and should increase your understanding of them.

POSITIVE REASONS

Listed below are several reasons that students give for pursuing graduate school immediately after graduation. Check to see where your reasoning falls.

1. You have career goals that make graduate school necessary.

2. You want to specialize in a particular field, to do research, or to broaden expertise in an area.

3. You can get a better job or promotion with a graduate degree.

*Taken from "Graduate School In Your Plans?" Job Choices: 2001, p. 91.

QUESTIONABLE REASONS

1. You cannot get a job with a B.A./B.S. because of overcrowding in the field.

2. You want to avoid looking for a job and/or do not know what else to do.

3. You do not know what you want for a career and you think more school will help you decide. (You are expected to have career goals when

you apply to graduate school.)

4. It is expected after college (by parents or professors).

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Deciding to attend graduate school is not a decision to be made hastily or with a limited information base. Making an informed decision about pursuing a graduate degree requires in-depth self-assessment combined with long-term goal setting. Before applying for further study, you need to be aware of the working conditions, employment prospects and physical and mental requirements of the field you plan to pursue. Second, the more immediate demands of the components of a graduate school experience, research, coursework, papers, teaching, etc., must be considered. When giving consideration to these issues, you must look for a match between these demands and your interests, needs, skills and career goals.

Two of the reasons frequently given by students who have withdrawn from graduate programs are a dislike of concentrated academic work and a realization that they had not defined their career goals adequately and clearly. By answering the following questions and assessing your needs, interests, values, skills and goals, you can hopefully avoid similar problems and therefore, make an informed decision about pursuing a graduate degree.

What do I want to accomplish in my lifetime?

What are my long-range and short-range career goals?

Is graduate study necessary for me to achieve these goals?

Do I have the interest and abilities to be successful in a graduate program?

What type of value, if any, do I place on attaining a graduate degree?

Am I mentally and physically prepared to undertake such a long-term academic commitment?

At the present time, do I have other needs that conflict with pursuing a graduate degree?

Do I have enough information about this career field to determine if I want to make a long term commitment to pursuing a graduate degree?

Can I realistically invest the time and money required to pursue

another academic degree?

HOW DO I SELECT A GRADUATE PROGRAM?

To select an appropriate Graduate Program, establish a list of criteria important to you. These features can include:

- Level of program (Masters, Ph.D., etc.)- Geographic location- Length of program- Accreditation- Quality of faculty- Practicum or internship requirement- Placement percentage for graduates- Application requirements- Financial aid opportunities- Adequacy of facilities- Overall reputation- Cost

Research schools/programs by:

- Ordering your own copy of their catalog- Consulting with faculty- Talking with alumni - Visiting the school- Speaking to current students

Once you decide which graduate school you believe you want to apply to, further consider:

- The number of applications you plan to make (A typical application fee is $40.00).

- The acceptance rate for the graduate programs (admittance scales range from very difficult to easy).

THE OPTION OF DISTANCE LEARNING

More students are getting their Master=s or Ph.D. without stepping onto a university campus. About one in ten of the 2.1 million individuals taking graduate-level courses in 1998 were enrolled in distance education. As interest grows, more and more schools are investing in remote learning ranging from big public schools like Penn State and elite universities like Stanford, to the University of Phoenix, a for-profit institution.

Often distance education is a great fit for working adults and people with families who find it difficult to drop everything to get to the university. But even advocates acknowledge that distance education isn=t for everyone, and recognize that it takes independence, self-discipline and a lot of motivation to succeed.

It is important to consider an array of factors before choosing a long-distance education graduate program:

1) Make sure the school is accredited

2) Obtain program history. How many of the enrolled studentsgraduate? Is the faculty reputable?

3) Determine cost and compare it to on-campus programs.

4) Determine whether your chosen field lends itself to distance education.

5) Determine residency requirements, if any

6) Make sure you can meet the required technology needs.

7) Inquire about the types of student services provided within the distance education option.

WHAT ARE TYPICAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. A baccalaureate degree2. A minimum grade point average (generally a 3.0). (Your GPA in your major rather than your cumulative GPA may be used to meet this criterion.)3. Some preparation in the proposed field of study.4. Other experience relevant to the proposed field.

Note: Specific schools or programs may have additional and/or different requirements. Check their catalogs to see if any tests are required.

APPLICATION

1. Upon receiving the application, make copies of it, and use these to rough out your answers to each question.2. When your answers are set, type your application. It should be neat and devoid of spelling errors or typos.3. Answer all questions.4. Adhere to the deadline.5. Don=t forget to include your check or money order for the required application fee.

TEST REQUIREMENTS

1. Check with the particular graduate school concerning exact tests required.

2. Plan on registering for the test at least six weeks before the actual test date to insure proper preparation, availability and minimal costs.

Many students utilize test preparation study books and resource guides to improve score potential. Such preparation books are available in Career Services or on reserve in Blackwell Library. Information about typical tests follows:

Graduate Record Exams - There are two parts to the GRE.The GRE aptitude test is 3 hours long and measures general scholastic ability at the graduate level. The GRE advanced test in a particular field, such as Psychology, History, English, Computer Science, and Economics measures mastery of content in that field, and may be required in addition to the general aptitude test. Applications and information may be obtained in Career Services. (This test is administered by Prometrics, a subsidiary of Sylvan Learning Center.)

The advanced test is given for such fields ad Psychology, History, English, Computer Science, and Economics.

(Applications and information may be obtained in Career Services. The test is typically given at the Sylvan Learning Center.)

Miller Analogies Test (MAT) - This test consists of 100 analogies arranged in order of difficulty and lasts 50 minutes. The MAT may be required at some schools instead of, or in addition to, the GRE.

Professional School Admission Tests

1) Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) - This is an aptitude test designed to measure certain capabilities important in the study of management at the graduate level.2) Law School Admission Test (LSAT), designed to measure certain abilities deemed important in the study of law, enables law schools to assess the academic promise of their applicants

(3 2 hours).3) Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) The Medical College Admission Test is the entrance exam required by the great majority of medical schools in the United States and Canada. Designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the exam is administered twice a year, in April and in August. It is a full day exam composed of four sections, Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences,

Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences.

4) Additional tests such as the Dental Admission Test (DAT), Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT), and Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), are required for entry by their respective professional school.

UNDERGRADUATE TRANSCRIPTS

Admissions committees require official transcripts of your grades inorder to evaluate your academic preparation for graduate study. GPA=s are important, but are not examined in isolation; the rigor of the courses you have taken, your course load, and the reputation of the undergraduate institution you have attended are also scrutinized.

To have your college transcript sent to graduate institutions, fill out the required form in the Registrar=s Office. SSU charges no fees for transcripts.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Most graduate schools require two or three letters of recommendation. Request letters early in the Fall semester of your senior year from people who know you and who are

familiar with your academic preparation. These letters will be more helpful to the individuals reviewing your credentials if they include the following:

1) The reference=s current professional status and relationship to you.2) Comparative information as to where you rank with other students, employees, etc. Those individuals from whom you might request professional

recommendations include:

1) Course advisors2) Professors with whom you=ve done independent study, or worked with on special projects, or professors from whom you=ve taken several courses - especially courses in your major3) Employers4) A recommendation from the Health Advisory Committee for health-related graduate applicants.5) A letter of recommendation from a professor who has ties with the particular school to which you are applying could be helpful.

*Don=t forget to thank, in writing, the individuals who wrote references for you.

THE PERSONAL STATEMENT

When asked to name the most important part of the application, many admissions officers answer Athe personal statement,@ also referred to as the Statement of Goals and Objectives, Admission Essay, Autobiographical Essay, or Letter of Intent. Typically, admissions members are looking for interesting, insightful, revealing and nongeneric essays that suggest you have gone fully through a process of careful reflection and self-examination. A persuasive personal statement may even help you overcome the handicap of a low GPA or graduate test score.

To be of value, the personal statement must bring light to bear on your ability, motivation, and special perspective. Do not bore the Admissions Committee by repeating application information. Make your statement fresh, lively, different. Try to answer the question, AWhat=s most important for us to know about you?@ This statement may be the first nonnumerical evaluation the graduate school has for you. It is your sales tool. Be careful, though. If you are required to answer a specific question, make every effort to respond to it. How to Write a Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School, a book located in Career Services, may help you complete this all important admission step. For more information go to: http://www.accepted.com/grad/tentips.htm

Here are some tips: IT'S WHAT YOU SAY AND HOW YOU SAY IT. DON'T GUESS AS TO WHAT THE READERS ARE LOOKING FOR.

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. FIND AN ANGLE AND TELL A STORY. BE PERSONAL, IF APPROPRIATE. ADDRESS ANY INCONSISTENCIES. GRAB THE READER'S ATTENTION WITH YOUR 1ST PARAGRAPH. BE POSITIVE & UPBEAT. AVOID CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECTS. EXPRESS YOURSELF CLEARLY & CONCISELY.

ADHERE TO WORD LIMITS. MAKE CLEAR WHY YOU ARE CHOOSING THIS PROGRAM/SCHOOL

OVER ANY OTHERS. AVOID CLICHES. BE HONEST!

PACKAGING OF APPLICATION MATERIALS

Pay careful attention to the graduate school=s specifications for your application materials. There are two different, yet typical, approaches:

1) Transcripts, recommendation letters, application and personal statements are all sent separately, thus arriving at the graduate school in several separate envelopes, or2) Transcripts, recommendation letters, applications and personal statements are all gathered by you, the applicant, and forwarded to the graduate school as one unified package, thus arriving at the school in one envelope.Precisely following instructions on this matter is

important.

INTERVIEW (required by some schools)

Prepare for a graduate school interview as you would a job interview. (It may even mean a job, especially if the program is looking to fill assistantship positions.)

1) Dress appropriately.2) Know enough about the school (or program) to ask

intelligent questions3) Know enough about your own goals and desires to give

intelligent answers.

Be yourself. If you feel unsure of your interviewing skills, sign up for a Mock Interview at Career Services. There are also books, handouts, and website links on

interviewing which detail typical interview questions. See www.ssu.edu/careerservices

It is possible that you will be interviewed with other applicants in a group situation.

Send a thank you letter to the person or persons who interviewed you within forty-eight hours.

HOW CAN I FINANCE GRADUATE SCHOOL?*So you want to go to graduate school, but think you can't

afford it? Got too many loans already? Parents fed up with supporting you and wondering why you don't go out and get a job? Are you a good student? Read on; in the best of all worlds, you not only can get into graduate school, but also get paid while there.

Financial aid for graduate school is different from that for undergraduate study. After the bachelor's degree, income-based financial aid, such as Pell grants or SEOG, ceases to exist. Instead, graduate students are supported by the universities they attend, by federal programs, or by foundations. Support from the university is the most common, and generally takes three forms:

Tuition scholarships or waivers are common at private universities and, considering the high tuition, are very valuable. The trouble with them is that you can't eat a scholarship for dinner. Combined with an outside job or a loan, however, they make all the difference.

Assistantships. Every student who goes to a large university knows what a teaching assistant is. TA=s are the graduate students who teach quiz and laboratory sections, although some teach their own classes. But most students don't realize that TA=s are part-time employees of the university; they get a monthly salary and perhaps a reduction in tuition as well. That's how they finance their graduate education.

Research Assistantships. In addition to teaching assistantships, there are research assistantships. Research assistants (RAs) who help professors do their research, in laboratories, in libraries, in offices or anywhere research goes on. Often what they do develops into published papers, or a thesis--that's an important part of being an RA but RA=s too, are part-time employees as well as students, earning a monthly salary and perhaps getting a tuition reduction.

Support from outside the university comes from fellowships offered by

federal agencies and foundations and are largely reserved for students seeking the doctoral degree. The most competitive fellowships provide $10,000 to $16,000 per year for several years at any school, with all tuition and fees paid.

Loans. If you are confident of your future, especially if you are in a field

where lucrative employment is possible, loans are an option.

Financing an entire graduate career with loans is not recommended or desirable, but many graduate students do supplement their incomes with loans. A large percentage of students in Master's degree programs such as the MBA, and law school, support themselves with loans.

*Taken from The Black Collegian, November/December 1992, pp. 112-120.OTHER

OTHER RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOU

Resources to aid you in graduate school selection and admission include:

Faculty members, department chairs, your academic advisor

Career Services

A computer package titled "Graduate School Selector" (located at Career Services)

Websites

Do pick up the free "Graduate School Guide" in Career Services. This is a comprehensive guide to doctoral, master's and professional degree programs in this region of the U.S.

-Books available in Career Services include:

Getting What You Came for: The Smart Student = s Guide to Earning a Master = s or a Ph.D. , 1992Graduate School and You, 1999Graduate Admissions Essays - What Works What Doesn = t and Why , 1991.The Real Guide to Grad School, 1997The Gourman Report Graduate Programs, 1997The Scholarship Book, 1990The Back-to-School Money Book, 1994A Selected List of Fellowship and Other Support Opportunities for Advanced Education, 1993Free Money for Graduate School, 1990

Websites:

http:ssu.edu/careerservices - Go to our site. Click on students and then graduate schools

http://www.petersons.com/graduate - Use this site to find

colleges offering graduate and professional degrees http://www.accepted.com (essays, personal statements,

writing tips, etc.)

GRADUATE SCHOOL CHECKLIST AND TIMELINE

It is important to start gathering information early in order to be able to complete your applications on time. Ideally you should start the process a full year and a half before your anticipated date of matriculation. Most deadlines for the Fall's entering class fall between January and March. However, there are some exceptions. You should, in all cases, meet formal deadlines. Beyond this, you should be aware of the fact that many schools with rolling admissions encourage and act upon early applications.

This checklist represents an ideal timetable for most students:

Junior Year, Fall and Spring______ Research areas of interest, institutions, and programs.______ Talk to your advisor and professors about interests and application requirements.______ Register and prepare for appropriate graduate admission tests.

Junior Year, Summer (Study/prepare for graduate admissions tests)______ Take required graduate admission tests.______ Write for application materials.______ Visit institutions of interest, if possible.______ Write your application essay.______ Check on application deadlines and rolling admissions policies.______ For medical, dental, osteopathy, podiatry, or law school, you may need to register for the national application or data assembly service most programs use.

Senior Year, Fall______ Obtain letters of recommendation.______ Take graduate admission tests if you haven't already.______ Send in completed applications.______ Register for financial aid.______ Mail transcripts and letters of recommendations.______ Make plans to visit select institutions during winter break.

Senior Year, Spring______ Check with institutions before the deadline to make sure your file is

complete.______ Visit Institutions that accept you.______ Send a deposit to your institution of choice.______ Notify other colleges of your decision so they may admit others.______ Send thank-you notes to people who wrote recommendation letters,

informing them of your success.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

University

Info.Requested

Info.Received

ApplicationDue

ApplicationSent

Fin. AidDue

Fin. AidSent

TestsRequired

TestScoresSent

TranscriptSent

Application Fee$ Sent

Accepted Rejected