Graduate Education: What do you need to know? Presentation for Participants of UCI’s Integrated Micro/Nano Summer Undergraduate Research Experience by J. DeWayne Green Asst. Graduate Dean Office of Graduate Studies University of California, Irvine July 28, 2005

40 th Anniversary of UCI

UCI as Movie Set: 1970’s

Well-Paying Jobs Are Linked To Higher Levels of Education  With the shift to a knowledge-based economy more of a product’s value is added before and after manufacturing by professionals and managers who typically have advanced levels of education and skills.  As a result, employers are willing to pay an “education premium” for these workers.  As shown, incomes are higher and unemployment rates are lower on average for those with more education.

Well-Paying Jobs Are Linked To Higher Levels of Education  With the shift to a knowledge-based economy more of a product’s value is added before and after manufacturing by professionals and managers who typically have advanced levels of education and skills.  As a result, employers are willing to pay an “education premium” for these workers.  As shown, incomes are higher and unemployment rates are lower on average for those with more education.

Overview Money is Always a Major Concern Less Expensive than Ugrad Degree or even Master’s (except Professional School) More Extensive Resources Available (e.g., TA- Central to Grad Education & Experience while Paying both Salary & Fees)

Public vs. Private Universities  Public Universities Are Less Expensive  Subsidies from the State you reside  Focus on Out-of-Pocket Expenses  Focus on Fees & Tuition  Living Expenses Tend to Balance Out

Graduate Education Options  Professional Schools  Graduate Academic Schools

Professional Schools  Business School (M.B.A.)  Medical School (M.D.)  Law School (J.D.)  Pharmacy School (Pharm.D.)

Graduate Academics  Research Degree Programs (Ph.D., M.S., M.A.)  Characterized by Original Research  Less Structured Coursework  Thesis or Dissertation

Four Basic Sources of Funding  Fellowships/Scholarships or Grants  Teaching or Research Work  Need-based Financial Aid  Personal Resources

Fellowships or Grants Fellowships or Grants  External or “Extramural” Fellowships  Internal or “Intramural” Fellowships

Fellowships & Grants  Stipend – For living expenses  Fee Fellowships  Tuition Fellowships  Merit Fellowships  Need-based Fellowships  Diversity Fellowships

Teaching or Research Assistants  Teaching Opportunities  Assist Faculty Teaching Ugrad Students (Lead group discussion sections, supervise labs, grade papers, hold office hours)  Research Opportunities  Assist Faculty with Research (Work in labs or other research settings)  Corporate Internships

Teaching & Research Work  No more than 20 hrs./week during academic year  Pays good salary (for living expenses)  Plus, pays all or most of student registration fees

TA/RAs – More than Employment Invaluable Opportunity to: 1.Build Teaching or Research Skills 2.Build Your Leadership Skills 3.Improve Your Subject Knowledge 4.Enhance Your Stature as a Scholar

Financial Aid  Need-based  Typically Determined via FAFSA  Grad Students Considered Independent

Need-based Eligibility In order to receive financial aid you must:  be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen,  be registered with Selective Service (if required),  attend a participating school,  be working toward a degree or certificate,  be making satisfactory academic progress, not owe a refund on a Federal grant or be in default on a Federal educational loan, and  have financial need (except for Unsubsidized Direct and Federal PLUS Loans)

Need-based Eligibility According to Federal regulations, an independent student is:  at least 24 years old by December 31 of the award year, or,  an orphan or ward of the court, or,  a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, or,  a graduate or professional student, or,  a married student, or,  a student who has legal dependents other than a spouse. If you do not meet at least one of these criteria when you answer the questions in Step Three of the FAFSA, you are considered a dependent student and your parents must complete Step Four of the FAFSA/Renewal FAFSA.

Financial Aid – Misc.  Loans (Federal, State, & Private)  Credit Cards Be Careful !

The 800lbs. Gorilla

Funding Resources  UCI’s Office of Graduate Studies Website  A Good Starting Point  Explanations  Search Tools  Grant Writing Advice  Options

Go For It !  It’s Your Future…  … Continue the Journey

Q & A