Preparing for ‘higher higher’ education

Hannah Gilham

It’s fall again and undergraduate students across the nation are starting to plan for their future. This includes preparing for tests such as the MCAT, LSAT and GRE.

Senior Jenny Lamphere prepares for the GRE and the LSAT exams this October to prepare her for either a law degree in international human rights or a

graduate degree in international studies.

“I would say take the [MCAT prep] class [because] the test is…different. You have to get used to taking them, honestly my number one recommendation is

take practice tests because you have to get used to taking a four-hour test; build the mental endurance and just know what you’re in for,” said Sam

Brock, a biology major at the University of Denver.

Both Sam and Jenny say they spend several hours a week looking at programs on the internet, filling out applications for graduate school and studying for the GRE, MCAT

and LSAT. Both students are currently taking a full course load at the University of Denver as well.

According to FinAid.com, a website dedicated to helping college students find ways to finance their education, graduate students

borrow a cumulative debt of between $30,000 to $120,000.

“If one hopes to have a career in the life

sciences at least a MS degree is required.

Yes, the job markets are tight, but a

student entering a life science Ph.D.

graduate program in 2013 will not be on the job market until

2020 or later depending on the

amount of postdoctoral training

one does after completing a Ph.D.,”

said biology professor Dr. Robert Dores.

Senior Sam Brock spends four hours a week volunteering at a local hospital to gain experience and supplement her resume for medical school.

Volunteering, club participation and other extracurricular activities enhance application for a job or for higher education. “For medical school, dental school and physician assistant programs, do volunteer work. Medical schools and dental schools want to see that an applicant is willing to be engaged in his or her community,” said Dores.

Students make use of different kinds of stress relievers to cope with preparing for the next step.

While applying for ‘higher higher’ education can be stressful and time consuming, many campuses offer

academic and career advising services.

Testing dates/feesGRE:Cost: $160 Upcoming Test: http://www.ets.org/gre/

MCAT cost: $240

Upcoming Test: JanLSAT

Cost: $160Upcoming Test: Dec. 1 and Dec. 3