Graduate School: How to Get There From Here

Barbara J. Tarter, B.S., M.A., Ph.D.

Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Managent

Basic Steps

I.    Choosing a School: Choosing a graduate school is a lot like choosing a job

A. Location

B. Size of Institution

C. Program Offerings

D. Cost

E. Focus/Mission of the Institution

F. Potential Assistantships  

  1. Teaching Associate  

  2. Teaching Assistant  

  3. Research Assistant  

  4. Graduate Assistant

G. Housing

H. Other ployment Opportunities

I. Social Issues

II.  Applying for Admission:  Quality, not quantity.

A. Application for Admission

1. Read Every Question Thoroughly

2. Type Answers

3. Do Not Leave Question Blank–Use NA

4. Proofread

5. Check for Grammatical Correctness

B. Undergraduate Grade Point Average

1. Cumulative Grade Point Average

2. Grade Point Average in your Major

3. Final Two-Year Grade Point Average

4. Grade Point Average in Courses Relevant to Your Intended Field of Concentration

5. Improvent in Grade Point Average

C. Standardized Exams

1. Types of Tests

a. Graduate Managent Admission Test (GMAT)

b. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

c. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

d. Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

e. Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

f. Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT)

2. Rules of Test-Taking

a. Take the Test Early

b. Know How Repeat Tests are Treated

*Some Average

*Some Last Score

*Some Take the Highest Score

c. Review Test Manuals (Available in the APSU Bookstore - 1999 prices quoted)

                        *GMAT $12.95 (Cliff notes) $16.95(Peterson’s)

*GRE $9.95 (Cliff notes)          

*MCAT $44.95 (Peterson’s) 

*LSAT $9.95 (Cliff notes) $16.95 (Peterson’s)

*MAT $12.95(Cliff notes) $14.95 (REA)

d. Know the Test–Visit the Test’s Web Site

*GMAT:www.gmat.org

*GRE: www.gre.org

*MCAT: www.e-mcat.com/mcat2/login.asp

*LSAT: http://www.lsac.org/

*MAT:http://www3.niu.edu/testing/mat.htm

e. Manage the Test

* Test Does Not Test Knowledge

* Test Does Not Evaluate Intelligence

* Time Pressure Is Key

* Questions Worth the Same

*Questions Often Increase in Difficulty (GRE)

* Get Sufficient Rest Before the Test

f. Test Dates and [1999] Fees

*GMAT:$165.00 Offered year round(computer based)

*GRE: $99.00 Year round by appointment (general test,computer based only)  $130.00 (subject tests, paper based only)

*MCAT: $165.00 Designated test dates

*LSAT: $88.00 Designated test dates

*MAT: $50.00 Test dates dependent on college or university where you are studying.

*VCAT: $50.00 Designated test dates

Further testing information can be provided by the Student Development Center Test Services located in Ellington.

D. Essays

1. Choose Your Words Carefully: Set the pace, don’t just keep the pace.

Persistence Accountability Commitment Enthusiasm

2. Customize the Essay to the Particular Institution

E. Work Samples

1. Submit Only if Relevant2. Submit Only if Good

3. May Rewrite a Paper to Improve

4. Can Leave Faculty Comments if Good (i.e., this is the best paper on this topic I have seen in the twenty years I have been teaching here.)

F. References   

1. Recommendations of Educational Experiences

a. Positive Experiences

b. Titles Are Important

c. Good Communicators

2. Call and Arrange a Personal Interview   

3. Give References a Copy of Your Resume  

4. Give References the Background of School(s) You Are Applying to 

5. Request All Letters of Reference Well in Advance of Application Deadlines

III. Financial Aid:  Show me the money!

A. Identify Potential Sources of Financial Aid

1. Need-Based Aid

a. Work-Study Programs

b. Private, Federal, State Loans

c. Grants–University, not Federal

d. Fellowships

2. Merit-Based Aid

a. Scholarships

b. Graduate Assistantships, Teaching Associates, etc.

3. Family and Friends

B. Complete the Financial Aid Steps Recommended by  Following the links at the Web Site:http://www.collegeboard.com/

IV. Interviewing:  The interviewers may be more nervous than you are.

A. Research the Institution

B. Research the Faculty in Your Chosen Discipline

C. Contact Graduate Students Presently in the Program

D. Make Sure You Have Read All of Their Material

E. Check out their Web PagesF. Visit the Campus

G. Set the PACE