Graduate School: Is it for Graduate School: Is it for Me…IF so, when?Me…IF so, when?

Presented byPresented by

UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICESUNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES

University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia

Learning OutcomesLearning Outcomes By the end of this presentation you will:By the end of this presentation you will:

Understand the importance of identifying your Understand the importance of identifying your career goals prior to your decision about grad career goals prior to your decision about grad school school

Understand the many factors associated with Understand the many factors associated with deciding on a graduate programdeciding on a graduate program

Understand the process of applying to graduate Understand the process of applying to graduate schoolschool

Preliminary Things to ConsiderPreliminary Things to Consider Before deciding to enroll in a graduate Before deciding to enroll in a graduate

program, know:program, know: Career GoalsCareer Goals YourselfYourself TimelineTimeline Affiliated costsAffiliated costs Geographic considerationsGeographic considerations Admissions criteria for programs of interestAdmissions criteria for programs of interest

Qualities Needed for Grad Qualities Needed for Grad SchoolSchool

Initiative Initiative Self-discipline Self-discipline Time management skillsTime management skills Project management skillsProject management skills PersistencePersistence Patience Patience Communication & interpersonal skillsCommunication & interpersonal skills

RESEARCHING GRAD RESEARCHING GRAD PROGRAMSPROGRAMS

Step ONEStep ONE

Choose Your Own PathChoose Your Own Path

Since UVA is consistently ranked as the best public Since UVA is consistently ranked as the best public school in the country, it was the only college to which school in the country, it was the only college to which you applied as a high school senior. When you got you applied as a high school senior. When you got in, you didn’t even bother visiting before sending in in, you didn’t even bother visiting before sending in your deposit. You’ve never regretted your decision your deposit. You’ve never regretted your decision to come to UVA. to come to UVA.

Path A: Search online and apply to the schools with the Path A: Search online and apply to the schools with the best overall reputation that have your program. best overall reputation that have your program.

Path B: Road trip! Visit schools recommended by your Path B: Road trip! Visit schools recommended by your advisor, some of which you’ve never heard of before. advisor, some of which you’ve never heard of before. Where is….. Where is…..

Path A: Online School Search Path A: Online School Search

Ouch! You got blinded by the “bling” of the Ouch! You got blinded by the “bling” of the school’s name alone. You soon find out that school’s name alone. You soon find out that at the graduate level, especially in arts and at the graduate level, especially in arts and sciences, the reputation of the sciences, the reputation of the program/department is far more important than program/department is far more important than the overall reputation of the university.the overall reputation of the university.

Path B: Road TripPath B: Road Trip

Your investment of $1,098 for gas, hotels and Your investment of $1,098 for gas, hotels and food was well worth it. Who knew that ABC food was well worth it. Who knew that ABC University had the best XYZ program in the University had the best XYZ program in the country?!?! It’s now your first choice.country?!?! It’s now your first choice.

Researching ProgramsResearching Programs

Compile a complete list of schools with Compile a complete list of schools with programs in your field of study:programs in your field of study: List your priorities for academic & financial List your priorities for academic & financial

considerationsconsiderations Review graduate directoriesReview graduate directories Talk to your faculty advisor Talk to your faculty advisor Read professional journalsRead professional journals

Academic Considerations - YOUAcademic Considerations - YOU

Does program’s structure and focus fit your Does program’s structure and focus fit your interests and goalsinterests and goals

Is there the option for flexibility within the Is there the option for flexibility within the program (incoming or after 1-2 semesters)program (incoming or after 1-2 semesters)

Are faculty involved in research, teaching, or Are faculty involved in research, teaching, or projects related to your particular interestsprojects related to your particular interests

Are the support systems adequate (computer Are the support systems adequate (computer labs, libraries, special equipment, advising)labs, libraries, special equipment, advising)

Academic Consideration - THEMAcademic Consideration - THEM***Know the criteria to be a viable applicant******Know the criteria to be a viable applicant*** Strong undergraduate academic performanceStrong undergraduate academic performance GPA & graduate admission test scoresGPA & graduate admission test scores Preparation for field of studyPreparation for field of study Expressed motivation & clarity of goalsExpressed motivation & clarity of goals Research experience if applicableResearch experience if applicable Academic, co-curricular, or work experience if Academic, co-curricular, or work experience if

applicableapplicable

Financial & Other ConsiderationsFinancial & Other Considerations

Costs (tuition, fees, books, labs, housing, food, Costs (tuition, fees, books, labs, housing, food, transportation…) and compare to your transportation…) and compare to your financial resourcesfinancial resources

Types of financial aid available (loans, grants, Types of financial aid available (loans, grants, fellowships, teaching and/or research fellowships, teaching and/or research assistantships)assistantships)

Geographic, climate, cost-of-livingGeographic, climate, cost-of-living Environment of department and universityEnvironment of department and university Intent of program; preparation; career pathsIntent of program; preparation; career paths

Tools for Researching ProgramsTools for Researching Programs

Peterson’s Guides (also www.petersons.com)Peterson’s Guides (also www.petersons.com) School-specific websitesSchool-specific websites Program specific guides such as: “ABA-LSAC Guide Program specific guides such as: “ABA-LSAC Guide

to Law Schools; AMCAS; Psychology Graduate to Law Schools; AMCAS; Psychology Graduate Programs; Vault Business Schools)Programs; Vault Business Schools)

Graduate School Guide (also Graduate School Guide (also www.graduateguide.com))

Print resources such as “Getting What You Came Print resources such as “Getting What You Came For”For”

Worldwide Graduate Scholarship Guide and College Worldwide Graduate Scholarship Guide and College Blue Book of Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, & Blue Book of Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, & LoansLoans

More Tools - Researching ProgramsMore Tools - Researching Programs UCAN to connect with professionals UCAN to connect with professionals UCS Professional & Grad School FairUCS Professional & Grad School Fair Personalized appointment at UCS to discuss Personalized appointment at UCS to discuss

your academic and/or professional interests & your academic and/or professional interests & goals with corresponding goals with corresponding graduate/professional program optionsgraduate/professional program options

UCS preprofessional advising staff UCS preprofessional advising staff andand UCS UCS career counselorscareer counselors

Graduate students here and at schools you are Graduate students here and at schools you are consideringconsidering

INTEGRATE YOUR VALUES INTEGRATE YOUR VALUES INTO THE DECISIONINTO THE DECISION

Step TWOStep TWO

IntegrationIntegrationYes, we’ve mentioned some of these already—there’s a reason!Yes, we’ve mentioned some of these already—there’s a reason!

Admission requirementsAdmission requirements LocationLocation Timeline of programTimeline of program Financial Aid Financial Aid Reputation Reputation Coursework and electives Coursework and electives Professors’ interests and backgroundsProfessors’ interests and backgrounds

Integration (cont.)Integration (cont.)

AccreditationAccreditation Student-to-Faculty ratioStudent-to-Faculty ratio Accessibility to facilitiesAccessibility to facilities Demographics of the student body and grad Demographics of the student body and grad

programprogram Enrollment and class size Enrollment and class size Other informationOther information

Choose Your Own PathChoose Your Own Path

The thought of fighting rush hour traffic, The thought of fighting rush hour traffic, working 9 to 5, wearing a suit, paying bills and working 9 to 5, wearing a suit, paying bills and selecting a 401K plan selecting a 401K plan FRIGHTENFRIGHTENS S you.you.

Path A: Apply to graduate/professional school as Path A: Apply to graduate/professional school as a means to delay the real world.a means to delay the real world.

Path B: Apply to jobs anyway—through the Path B: Apply to jobs anyway—through the fear! fear!

Path A: Graduate/Professional Path A: Graduate/Professional SchoolSchool

You soon realize that graduate/professional You soon realize that graduate/professional school is not simply an extension of the school is not simply an extension of the undergraduate experience.undergraduate experience.

It’s highly competitive and intensive.It’s highly competitive and intensive.

It’s also EXPENIt’s also EXPEN$$IVE—both money and time. IVE—both money and time.

Path B: The Real WorldPath B: The Real World

You soon realize that there is no such thing as a You soon realize that there is no such thing as a 9 to 5. You work 8:00 am-6:00 pm Monday-9 to 5. You work 8:00 am-6:00 pm Monday-Friday and often take projects home on the Friday and often take projects home on the weekends. Although your parents helped you weekends. Although your parents helped you select a retirement plan, they asked for their select a retirement plan, they asked for their credit card back. You begin to calculate all of credit card back. You begin to calculate all of your expenses in numbers of hours worked.your expenses in numbers of hours worked.

Pair of shoes = 5 hours of work Pair of shoes = 5 hours of work

What if I apply/attend a year or more What if I apply/attend a year or more after graduating?after graduating?

BenefitsBenefits

Earn money for schoolEarn money for school Gain experience that can Gain experience that can

help chances for admissionhelp chances for admission Build skills & knowledge to Build skills & knowledge to

clarify goals for grad school clarify goals for grad school as well as make you a more as well as make you a more competitive applicantcompetitive applicant

Possibly work within the Possibly work within the professionprofession

Relax & refocusRelax & refocus Opportunity to mature moreOpportunity to mature more

CostsCosts ““Use it or lose it”Use it or lose it” Lost momentumLost momentum Lack motivationLack motivation Longer you wait, the longer Longer you wait, the longer

to finishto finish Possible weaker ties with Possible weaker ties with

referencesreferences

SENDING APPLICATIONSSENDING APPLICATIONSStep THREEStep THREE

Application Tips Application Tips

Follow directions!Follow directions! Start early!Start early! Follow-up to ensure application is complete Follow-up to ensure application is complete Know the selection procedure for each Know the selection procedure for each

institution institution Realize that public schools Realize that public schools maymay have have

preference for state residentspreference for state residents

Standardized TestsStandardized Tests

Which test requiredWhich test required What if tests “recommended”What if tests “recommended” Register in time for score submissionRegister in time for score submission General and subject examsGeneral and subject exams Time for preparationTime for preparation RetakingRetaking

TranscriptsTranscripts

Official transcripts requiredOfficial transcripts required From EVERY school where you’ve ever taken From EVERY school where you’ve ever taken

one or more classone or more class Highlight major or upper-division gpa Highlight major or upper-division gpa

elsewhere on application/resume if higher than elsewhere on application/resume if higher than overall gpa (as shown on transcript)overall gpa (as shown on transcript)

Recommendation LettersRecommendation Letters Academic references may carry most weight—Academic references may carry most weight—

usually (depends on type of grad program)usually (depends on type of grad program) People who know you well enough to describe People who know you well enough to describe

specifics about your capabilities, knowledge, specifics about your capabilities, knowledge, experience, academic performance (gpa differntial)experience, academic performance (gpa differntial)

Do not wait till the last moment!Do not wait till the last moment! Update your resumeUpdate your resume Preference of admissions: waive your rights to Preference of admissions: waive your rights to

review (legally you can make either choice)review (legally you can make either choice) And more….And more….

Recommendation Letters (cont)Recommendation Letters (cont)

How to ask someone to write a letterHow to ask someone to write a letter Provide examples of why you though of themProvide examples of why you though of them Get to know them in advanceGet to know them in advance Ask what you can provide them (resume, list Ask what you can provide them (resume, list

of programs, etc)of programs, etc) Thank you notesThank you notes Interfolio (option) vs. separate forms via mailInterfolio (option) vs. separate forms via mail

Personal Statement andPersonal Statement andStatement of PurposeStatement of Purpose

Tell your story; your wordsTell your story; your words Answer any specific questions specifically!Answer any specific questions specifically! Accurate, grammar, punctuationAccurate, grammar, punctuation Connect your interests/goals to program Connect your interests/goals to program

specificsspecifics Research faculty interests and discuss Research faculty interests and discuss Articulate career goals clearlyArticulate career goals clearly UCS and Writing CenterUCS and Writing Center

Writing SamplesWriting Samples

No narrativesNo narratives Incorporate professors commentsIncorporate professors comments If possible, revise with the professorIf possible, revise with the professor Relate to your field of studyRelate to your field of study One or two project/research papersOne or two project/research papers Thesis chapterThesis chapter

Choose Your PathChoose Your Path

Your personal statement is finished, but you Your personal statement is finished, but you can’t decide on the third letter of can’t decide on the third letter of recommendation to submit along with your recommendation to submit along with your applications. Do you choose the professor applications. Do you choose the professor who only knows you by your student i.d. # or who only knows you by your student i.d. # or your former supervisor at Bodo’s. your former supervisor at Bodo’s.

Path A: Choose the professorPath A: Choose the professorPath B: Choose your former supervisorPath B: Choose your former supervisor

Path A: The ProfPath A: The Prof

The faculty admission committee considers the The faculty admission committee considers the professor you have chosen to write your letter professor you have chosen to write your letter as a respected peer in the field. Unfortunately, as a respected peer in the field. Unfortunately, since he didn’t know you well enough to since he didn’t know you well enough to report on how you stand out amongst your report on how you stand out amongst your peers, the recommendation didn’t end up peers, the recommendation didn’t end up adding much to your application. adding much to your application.

Path B: The SuperPath B: The Super

The primary difference between applying to The primary difference between applying to undergraduate and graduate programs is the undergraduate and graduate programs is the emphasis on a sense of direction on the part of emphasis on a sense of direction on the part of the applicant. Good thing you shared your the applicant. Good thing you shared your career aspirations with your supervisor while career aspirations with your supervisor while working together on the late shift! working together on the late shift!

Next Action StepsNext Action Steps

Will varyWill vary Clarify career goalsClarify career goals Research career fields to determine need for Research career fields to determine need for

grad schoolgrad school Appointment with UCS counselorAppointment with UCS counselor Graduate & Professional School Fair (fall)Graduate & Professional School Fair (fall) Print resources in UCS career libraryPrint resources in UCS career library

AND FINALLY…AND FINALLY…

?????QUESTIONS??????????QUESTIONS?????

POINTERS YOU WANT TO SHARE??POINTERS YOU WANT TO SHARE??