THE MANY PATHS TO GRADUATE SCHOOL

December 5, 2018

AGENDA • Why graduate school?• Application/GRE timeline• Improving admission criteria• Masters vs. Doctorate• Funding your degree• Q & A• Breakout sessions

WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO?What is a career or graduate school decision that you still have to make?

If you are stuck making the decision, what additional information do you need and who or what office could provide that information?

WHY GRADUATE SCHOOL?

• Increase knowledge in a field and/or have a passion for research

• You want to specialize in an area or become an expert and

generate new knowledge

• Professional growth and career advancement opportunities

• Increase your “marketability” and earning potential

• You NEED this degree in order to obtain a job/career

REASONS TO DELAY GRADUATE SCHOOL

1. Time to clarify your chosen field or focus2. Gain experience so you can apply it in grad school 3. Strengthen your application for grad school and jobs3. Improve your financial outlook4. Strengthen you network5. Be able to answer the question of why?

CREATE YOUR PATH

When will you startgrad school?

When will you apply?

When should you take the GRE?

GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION TIMELINEMay

June

July

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

March

Apr

May

Select programsIdeal time to

prep

Ideal time to test

Interviews (where applicable)

Apply (deadlines vary)

Admissions decisions

For fall cycle, acceptance for rolling programs will be at least 1 month after you apply; for non-rolling programs, the admissions decision will be made between January and May of the following year, depending on the program.

BASIC INFO ABOUT THE GRE

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE GRE?Free and low-cost tools from ETS

https://www.ets.org

Kaplan ($$$ - some free sample classes and practice exams available)https://kaplan.com/

Princeton Review ($$$ - free practice tests) https://www.princetonreview.com/

Magoosh (newer provider, virtual classes)https://magoosh.com/

MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR GRAD SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

The weight of the following factors varies per school1) Undergraduate GPA

2) GRE Score

3) Relevant Experience

4) Letters of recommendation

5) Personal essay

If you feel that one of these factors in your record is not making you competitive, do not give up!

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

1. Post bac programs

2. Gain relevant/work experience

3. Explain anomalies in your transcript

4. Take time off (“gap year”)

5. Participate in service-based programs (e.g. Peace Corps,

Teach for America, Americorps)

6. The side door - non matriculating classes or non-degree

CHOOSING A PROGRAM• Research schools that spark an interest

• Nationally accredited?

• Speak with professors in your field of interest, current graduate

students in the programs and advisors

• Location, size, length

• Why are you interested in the field and what will you gain from

pursuing a degree?

ONLINE PROGRAM FINDERS

• Nutrition: http://americannutritionassociation.org/schools

• Public Health: https://programfinder.aspph.org/

• SLP/Audiology: https://www.asha.org/edfind/

• Kinesiology: http://americankinesiology.org/

http://americannutritionassociation.org/schoolshttps://programfinder.aspph.org/https://www.asha.org/edfind/http://americankinesiology.org/

MASTERS OR PHD?• Masters

• Provides a focused education in a specialized field

• Research versus practical application

• 1-3 years of study

• Doctorate

• Provides extensive experience in a specialized field

• Allows for original research

• Prepares you for a life in academia or research

• 5-7 years of study

IS GRADUATE SCHOOL WORTH THE PRICE?

• On average, people with advanced degrees earn more than those

with bachelor's degrees

• Will the bigger paycheck offset the cost of graduate school?

• Does your field require an advanced degree?

• Estimate monthly loan payments

• Considering bachelor's degree compounded interest

COST OF ATTENDING GRAD SCHOOL

FUNDING A GRADUATE DEGREE

20%

80%24%

76%

Master’s Degree

PhD

Chart1

Category 1Category 1

Category 2Category 2

Borrowed

Didn't borrow

76

24

20

80

Sheet1

BorrowedDidn't borrow

Category 17624

Category 22080

To resize chart data range, drag lower right corner of range.

TEACHING AND RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS

• Some Universities provide research (RA) and teaching (TA) assistantships

• Second semester graduates are more likely to get these positions over first year graduates

• Benefits of RA & TA• Experience working with a professor• Gain expertise in a specific field• Learn and improve skills• Paid an hourly wage• Off set tuition cost & fees

• For example, UMass offers TA and RA positions to graduate and PhD students each year. The pay is about $22/hr and covers most of the tuition and fees

I WANT A TA & RA POSITION!

• How do I get a TA or RA position?• Get to know your professors

• Work on research projects as an undergraduate*

• Become an undergraduate course assistant

• Look up professor bios and contact them about their research or courses

• Ask the admissions office about how to find and apply for TA & RA positions

• Be proactive & politely assertive

• Check with all offices on campus even outside of your field

*visit the Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS) to get started. http://www.umass.edu/ours/ for more info

http://www.umass.edu/ours/

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO FUND A DEGREE

• Financial aid

• Work study

• Scholarships – offered by the University or other non-profits

• Employers may cover the cost of classes

CONNECTING WITH AN ADVISOR

Academic Advising Career Advising

The many Paths to � graduate schoolAgenda Why do you want to go?Why graduate school?Reasons to delay graduate schoolCreate your pathGraduate school application timelineSlide Number 8Basic info about the greHow can I prepare for the gre?Most important factors for grad school admissionsHow to improve your admissions criteria Choosing a programOnline Program findersMasters or phd?Is graduate school worth the price?Cost of attending grad schoolFunding a graduate degreeTeaching and research assistantshipsI want a ta & ra position!Additional ways to fund a degreeConnecting with an advisor