Graduate School: To Go Or Not To Go? Not To Go?

1. Graduate School:To Go Or Not To Go?Not To Go? M.S. M.B.A. Ph.D. M.F.A. Psy.D. M.D. M.A. J.D. Ed.M. Career ServicesScience Library, G-50518-437-4900www.albany.edu/cdc Please view this presentation in slideshow mode

2. Outline M.S. M.F.A. Introduction Before Applying: Questions to ask yourself Finding Programs What You Can Do Now Choosing Schools The Application Process Resources M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A.

3. Introduction M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Graduate school is different than your years spent as an undergraduate • More demanding • Subject material is more specialized (no Gen Eds!) • Smaller classes • Closer relationship with faculty • More papers/group projects versus exams

4. Before Applying: Questions to Ask Yourself M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Are you committed enough to your subject to pursue an advanced degree? • Is an advanced degree required for entry into your desired field? Which degree? Specializations? Licenses? Certification?

5. Before Applying: Questions to Ask Yourself M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Would it be in your best interest to work & gain experience, THEN apply? • Do you have the financial resources to cover costs? • Are you “burned out” academically & need to take some time off?

6. Before Applying: Questions to Ask Yourself M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Do you have what it takes? • How much do you really know about graduate school? • Are you pursuing graduate school for the right reasons rather than avoiding “real life?”

7. Finding Programs: Places to look and People to ask M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Faculty • Graduate Students & Alumni • Admissions Offices • Professional Organizations • School Viewbooks, Catalogs, and Websites

8. Finding Programs: Places to look and People to ask M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Directories & Web Sites: • GradSchools.com • Peterson’s Graduate and Professional Programs • (six volume set available in Career Services & the main library or www.petersons.com) • US News & World Reports: America’s Best Graduate Schools

9. What You Can Do Now M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Clarify your interests • Prepare for admissions tests: GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, Praxis • Obtain relevant experience • Get to know faculty better • Raise your GPA • Think ahead: save your money!

10. Choosing Schools: What to Consider M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Admissions Criteria • Curriculum/Program Requirements • Internship or thesis • Dissertation • Comprehensive exam • Foreign language requirement

11. Choosing Schools: What to Consider M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Reputation, Quality of Program, & Accreditation • Employment Statistics: % of graduates employed by graduation, as well as six months out • Faculty - Research interests - Orientation - Ratio to students

12. Choosing Schools: What to Consider M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Location & Size • Cost/Financial Aid (in-state vs. out-of-state tuition) • Loans • Grants, scholarships, fellowships • Tuition-remission programs • (i.e. assistantships) • External sources

13. The Application Process M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • TIMETABLE • Junior Year (Summer): • Clarify interests & start looking for programs • Meet with faculty members & Career Services staff to discuss interests

14. The Application Process M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Senior Year (September/October): • Research financial aid sources, fellowships, and assistantships • Take admissions tests • Draft personal statements • Request recommendation letters from at least three faculty members

15. The Application Process M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Senior Year (November/December): • Order official transcripts (asking Registrar to send AFTER Fall grades are posted) • Finalize personal statements • Mail applications (EARLY!) • Apply for financial aid

16. The Application Process M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Application Components: • Application and fees • Test scores (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT) • Official transcripts • Personal statement

17. The Application Process M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Letters of recommendation which may describe your: • Academic & analytical ability • Oral/written communication skills • Character & initiative • Intelligence • Maturity • Responsibility & integrity • Interpersonal relations • Leadership ability

18. The Application Process M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Personal Statement • Often the most difficult part of your application • Tailor each statement for each application • Answer questions such as… • How does this program match with your interests?Why should we accept you?How will you fit into their department and school? • Indicate you have the drive and dedication to complete the program

19. The Application Process M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Interview • May or may not be required, depends on program • Usually longer if applying for a counseling, psychology, or MSW program • Structure may vary (group versus individual interview) • Other • e.g., portfolio of your art, writing sample

20. Career Services Resources M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Reference file service ($30 fee) • Program directories • Resume/essay critiquing • Admissions test information • Career advising appointments • www.albany.edu/cdc

21. Other Resources M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • If you are even slightly interested in law or health, get connected with: Pre-Law Advisor: Dawn Kakumba, ASC/US Advisement Services Center ULB36, 442-3974 DKakumba@uamail.albany.edu Pre-Health Advisor: Ann Marie Carrick, ASC/US, Advisement Services Center ULB31, (518) 442-3960 ACarrick@uamail.albany.edu

22. Thank You for Attending! M.S. M.F.A. M.B.A. Ph.D. Psy.D. J.D. M.D. M.A. • Please complete an evaluation formbefore you leave! • Questions?