Thinking About Graduate School? The Ins and Outs of Applying By: Dr. Shoshanna Coon Associate Dean For Graduate Academic Affairs Thanks to Jaimie Bell, former grad assistant, for help with this presentation!

Why go to graduate school? Requirement in field Requirement in field Personal goals Personal goals Increase depth of knowledge Increase depth of knowledge Higher pay (usually) Higher pay (usually) Increased opportunity for advancement Increased opportunity for advancement

Should you go to graduate school? Yes, if you… Want to be in charge of projects &/or other people Want to be in charge of projects &/or other people Enjoy learning & working within your field Enjoy learning & working within your field Want to teach others about your field Want to teach others about your field Are interested in a specific area of your field Are interested in a specific area of your field Want be more competitive in job market Want be more competitive in job market

Should you go to graduate school? No, if you are… Not able/willing to make time commitment Not able/willing to make time commitment Only interested in making more money Only interested in making more money Sick of school Sick of school Prolonging entering the workforce Prolonging entering the workforce Unsure what else to do Unsure what else to do

Things to know about grad school Masters vs. Doctoral Masters vs. Doctoral Competitiveness Competitiveness Increased expectations Increased expectations GPA GPA (3.0 minimum) (3.0 minimum) Organization is key Organization is key Dont have to have massive debt Dont have to have massive debt

Types of programs No, or little, specific undergrad preparation required No, or little, specific undergrad preparation required Examples Examples MBA MBA Master of Public Policy Master of Public Policy MA in History MA in History Master of Social Work Master of Social Work Specific undergrad preparation required Specific undergrad preparation required Examples Examples Master of Accounting Any science, math or technology degree MA in a foreign language Medical, dental, other health professional schools

How do I start? Take as many credits in your area as possible as an undergraduate. Take as many credits in your area as possible as an undergraduate. Talk to faculty & Career Services about goals & directions for future Talk to faculty & Career Services about goals & directions for future Begin researching schools & select how many schools you plan to apply to Begin researching schools & select how many schools you plan to apply to

How do I start? cont… Look into program requirements, especially letters of recommdation, entrance exams, personal statements, GPA requirements, etc. Look into program requirements, especially letters of recommdation, entrance exams, personal statements, GPA requirements, etc. make a spreadsheet make a spreadsheet Prepare for the costs of applying to graduate school Prepare for the costs of applying to graduate school test results, travel to visit, time away from classes, score reports, transcripts, application fees, postage test results, travel to visit, time away from classes, score reports, transcripts, application fees, postage

How do I pick schools? Talk with professors in the field youre interested in Talk with professors in the field youre interested in Faculty research interests Faculty research interests Rankings of programs (U.S. News and World Report, etc) Rankings of programs (U.S. News and World Report, etc) Visit the campus Visit the campus Meet with faculty and current students Meet with faculty and current students Goodness of fit for you. Goodness of fit for you. Cost of living and housing, location, & demographics Cost of living and housing, location, & demographics Funding for students (assistantships, fellowships, work study, etc) Funding for students (assistantships, fellowships, work study, etc) Employment data for graduates Employment data for graduates Entrance requirements Entrance requirements

Entrance exams GRE (Graduate Record Examination) GRE (Graduate Record Examination) For graduate programs with no specific admissions test For graduate programs with no specific admissions test Subject tests Subject tests GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) Generally for business programs Generally for business programs LSAT (Law School Admission Test) LSAT (Law School Admission Test) MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test) DAT (Dental Admission Test) DAT (Dental Admission Test) VCAT (Veterinary College Admission Test) VCAT (Veterinary College Admission Test) OAT (Optometry Admission Test) OAT (Optometry Admission Test) *Professional schools have their own process and procedure for applying.

Applications and Decisions Fill out applications, get letters of recommendation, and get apps in early Fill out applications, get letters of recommendation, and get apps in early Deadlines from Dec-March Deadlines from Dec-March Rolling admission Rolling admission Visit schools youve been accepted to Visit schools youve been accepted to Pick one and write acceptance letter and rejection letters by April 15 at the latest. Pick one and write acceptance letter and rejection letters by April 15 at the latest.

Applying to UNI UNI requires Application for Graduate Study Transcripts showing bachelors degree and any post-baccalaureate coursework TOEFL or IELTS if first language is not English Department/Program may require Letters of recommendation Some sort of personal statement Departmental application GRE/GMAT scores Othercontact the dept/program of interest! Also ask your dept/program about Applying for assistantship & scholarship

Staying at UNI for grad school Pros Unique programs Programs with national reputation May be able to get a head start by taking grad credit as a senior (costs more tuition) No moving hassles/good for those with geographic constraints Cons You dont get the experience of a different academic environment/area of the country Academic inbreeding Change in your social life Think ahead to doctoral programs- take GREs now even if you dont have to

Suggested Timeline Summer/Early Fall Summer/Early Fall Explore graduate programs Explore graduate programs Early to mid-Fall Early to mid-Fall Begin drafting a personal statement Begin drafting a personal statement Register to take entrance exam Register to take entrance exam Ask faculty for letter of recommendation Ask faculty for letter of recommendation Narrow graduate school choices down Narrow graduate school choices down

Suggested Timeline cont. Late Fall Late Fall Take your entrance exam Take your entrance exam Request transcripts & exam scores Request transcripts & exam scores Review personal statement Review personal statement Fill out & edit applications Fill out & edit applications Before the due date Before the due date Submit applications Submit applications

Questions? Now is a great time to ask questions! Now is a great time to ask questions!

Questions Later? Please send any questions to Please send any questions to Susie Schwieger Susie Schwieger Director of Graduate Student Life: Dr. Shoshanna Coon Dr. Shoshanna Coon Associate Dean For Graduate Academic Affairs Matt Nuese Matt Nuese Associate Director, Career Services