Deciding

Graduate school further prepares you for your career interest through specialized courses, research and/or internships. These components will give you practical professional skills and an in depth knowledge of your field of study. Graduate school can also serve the needs of others who are interested in expanding their knowledge of an avocational interest that may have little to do with their professional goals. To complete the program, usually some type of original research in the form of a thesis or dissertation or a final comprehensive exam is required.

Deciding whether to attend graduate school is a decision that requires some careful thought and is one that should not to be made lightly. There are several questions that you can ask yourself to assist you in this process.

Do I really love the field enough to obtain an advanced degree? Going to graduate school usually involves a career choice. You really need to be enthused in this career area to be able to keep up with the demands and intensity of graduate life. Take some time to investigate your field of interest before applying. Talk to alumni or professors in the field and read resources on the subject.

Is an advanced degree required to enter a particular profession or obtain a certain level within the field? In many professional fields such as medicine, law, psychology, and education, an advanced degree is a must. For others, a graduate degree can enhance your earning power in an occupation and can influence how far and fast you will advance in your field. Most human service fields are examples of this. Your chances of obtaining increased responsibility in your job will be enhanced through obtaining an advanced degree.

Do I have the financial resources to cover the cost of graduate school? You may feel you need to take a couple of years off to work to save money for graduate school. Many graduate students, though, are able to cover all or a substantial amount of the cost with grants, fellowships or assistantships. Obtaining loans are also a possibility. Make sure you investigate these options before deciding you don¹t have the financial means. Remember also, that most fellowships are competitive and are awarded early.

Am I burned out academically and do I need to take some time off? Take some time to assess your energy level. Do you have the motivation to stay in school for one to seven more years. You may need to take some time off to "discover yourself" and/or gain some work experience. Many students find that after taking time off to work, they are better prepared academically for graduate school and have clearer defined goals. They also find that they have a better perspective on life in general and they have the energy to invest themselves in their education. Taking time off can also give you the information needed to determine exactly what program you need for a particular field. In addition, some graduate schools won't accept students without some prior work experience. (This is true of most MBA programs)

Am I postponing some tough decisions by going to graduate school? Make sure you are deciding on going to graduate school for the right reasons. Some students feel tempted to continue their education because they don't feel ready to face the demands of "real life" or aren't clear on what career they want to pursue. These are exactly the reasons not to go to graduate school. Some programs that incorporate internships and work-related experiences into the program do serve as a good transition period from college to work life. You need to be clear on your goals before committing the time and expense.

Do I want to go to school full-time or part-time? Going to graduate school full-time is a more intensive process and allows you to interact with the colleagues in your program at a closer level. Some programs require that you go full-time and it may be difficult or not possible to get some types of financial aid without attending full-time. Attending school part-time, though, does allow you the chance to work in the field, earn money and complete your degree during a longer time period. Another option may be able to work in an organization that is willing to foot the bill for graduate school.

Do I have the personal qualities and skills that are needed to be successful in graduate school? Although there is no ideal profile for the successful graduate student, there are some qualities that are important in order to make it through productively. Some of these skills include intelligence, initiative and self-discipline. Most graduate programs assume that students will maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Time management skills, being focused and persistence are also important qualities. In addition, the ability to establish good working relationships with your fellow students, faculty and internship mentors is also important.

When to Attend?
If you have decided that graduate school is for you, you then need to decide if you would like to attend immediately after graduation, or wait a year or two. Though many seniors begin the year pursuing graduate school plans, only about 20-30% of the senior class end up enrolling in graduate school immediately following graduation. Most graduates opt to work a year or two and then pursue graduate school plans. There are advantages to both choices.

In looking at the advantages to proceeding directly on, there is more continuity of learning between undergraduate and graduate school and you will probably still be in the "studying mode". Secondly, many students find it is easier to finance graduate school when there aren¹t other major financial obligations such as marriage, mortgages and children. Undergraduate loans can be deferred while attending school as well. Lastly, if you are enthusiastic and certain about a career decision where graduate school is needed, attending right away will quicken the time you can enter the profession.

The advantages of waiting a year or two before attending graduate school have already been outlined above. To recap: if you are uncertain about the field you would like to study, if there are goal conflicts on the reasons for attending graduate school and if it would be advantageous to gain some work experience and/or take some time off.

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Choosing

Once you have decided to go to graduate school, the next step is to research and choose a select number of graduate schools to apply to. This can seem like an overwhelming process considering the number of schools to choose from. The key is knowing where to obtain the information needed.

Consult faculty members and individuals who have specialized in the discipline of your choice and have knowledge of the field. They may be able to refer you to graduate schools that they know of, answer questions about the strengths and weaknesses of the programs, admission requirements and refer you to resources that you can use. The staff at the college's career center is also an excellent resource and can assist you in this process from the beginning to the end. Most career centers have a database of alumni, some of whom may have graduated from a school that you are considering.

Come to the Graduate and Professional Schools Day sponsored by the Career Center every fall.  Check the Programs and Events Schedule on the top left of this page for date and time.

Evaluating Graduate Schools
There are a number of factors that will help you in narrowing down your search for graduate schools to apply to. While evaluating each school, consider the following:

Admission Requirements:
How competitive is admission. What are admission requirements (GPA, work experience, classes, test scores etc.) and do you have the requirements needed. You may want to apply to one or two ³safety² schools and one or two more competitive schools.
Does the program favor applicants with work experience or those who are recent graduates?

Curriculum:
Look at the courses of the program. Does it meet your needs and does it suit your educational and professional goals? Is a thesis or a final exam required? Is there some sort of practical experience or internship included?
How long is the program and how many credits are required? The same program can vary in credit hours from one school to another.

Reputation/Quality of Program:
What is the reputation of the school in general and what is the reputation of the program within the field?
Is the program accredited and if so, by whom?

Outcomes:
How many students in the program complete it?
How many of the graduates find employment in their field and does the department assist students in this process? What kinds of employment do students find?
Where do most students find jobs and live after graduation?

Faculty:
What is the faculty/student ratio and are the faculty accessible to the students? Are the faculty committed to teaching, research or both?
What is the philosophy of the department and do most professors share this view?
Are the faculty well-known and what have they published recently? If you are attending graduate school for research in a specific discipline, it is important to identify a faculty member, who has research interests similar to yours, to have as a mentor.

Location/Size:
Do you want to attend a large or small school. Do you prefer a large or small program?
In what geographic area would you like to attend school. Do you need to be close to family and/or friends. Would you like the school to be located in an urban or rural setting?
What activities does the community offer. Is there graduate housing available and how difficult is it to find off-campus housing. What public transportation is available?

Cost/Financial Aid:
What is the cost of the program. What are the hidden costs. Is the cost expected to increase in the future?
How much financial assistance is available in the form of assistantships, loans and fellowships?

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Admission Requirements

Admissions Test Scores: Each institution has their own requirements regarding admission tests requirements and this information can be found in either the Peterson's or GRE's graduate guides. The GRE, GMAT and LSAT Registration booklets can be picked up in college Career Center offices. Within the registration booklet, you will find the dates of the exams, pre-registration deadlines and one practice test. It is advisable to spend some time going over individual questions and taking more than one practice test. Test preparation books are useful and preparatory classes such as the Stanley Kaplan may be helpful, though costly.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Most general graduate schools require the General Test and many require the Subject Test. The General Test contains a verbal, quantitative and analytical section. The Subject Test measures knowledge of a particular subject matter. The General and Subject Test can be taken on the same day or on different days.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) : The GMAT is required for most students seeking an MBA degree. The 4 hour test measures general verbal and mathematical skills. It does not test specific knowledge or achievement gained in a particular subject area.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT): The LSAT is designed to measure abilities needed for the study of law and to assist law schools in evaluating their applicants. There are six multiple choice questions assessing the ability to read, understand and reason and one writing sample. The use of the LSDAS service is highly recommended as it assembles, in one report, all of the information required of the applicant by most law schools.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT): The MCAT measures the applicants abilities in chemistry, physics, biology, reading and quantitative and analytical skills. There is one test in the Fall and one in the Spring. Applicants are encouraged to take the MCAT 18 months before entering medical school.

Miller Analogy Test (MAT): The MAT uses verbal analogies to test reasoning ability. Some graduates schools will accept the MAT in lieu of the GRE. You should contact your local college or university for information regarding where the test may be available to you locally; at the College of William and Mary, contact the Office of Counseling Services.

Official Transcripts: Most schools ask that an official transcript be sent from your college's Registrar office. The transcript demonstrates your receipt of an undergraduate degree, the courses you took and grades received. If you have taken classes or received a degree at another institution, you need to request a transcript from that school as well.

Grade Point Average: The GPA is one factor that graduate schools will take into effect. The standard GPA needed for acceptance to most graduate schools is a 3.0. Many other schools will accept students with less than a 3.0, though, so don1/4t rule out graduate school if your GPA is below that mark. Concentrate on and market your strengths. If your GPA is below the average of those generally accepted, work on enhancing your personal statement, admission test scores or gain some relevant work experience.
The types of courses taken, your GPA and evidence of improvement, if you did not start out strongly, will all be looked at. Some programs require a specific major or courses to be admitted.

Letters of Recommendation: Letters should be requested early from either professors or employers who can attest to your abilities. Approach faculty for letters before the end of your senior year, preferrably not near exam periods. Individuals who can speak most clearly about your abilities and accomplishments are your best bets. Admissions officers like to see specific examples about different facets of the applicant. The reference should include some statements about your skills, accomplishments and character. They can also be used to explain a negative in your application.
Have employers or professors use the forms enclosed in the application and give them information on what your professional interests and goals are (a copy of your personal statement or resume is helpful). Also provide a self-addressed stamped envelope.
**The Career Center has a Credentials File service that you may use for your letters of recommendation. This service is highly appreciated by the faculty, as it allows them to write just one letter for you. The service is especially useful for those who plan to wait a few years before applying to graduate school.

Personal Statement: The purpose of the personal statement is to give you the opportunity to articulate your goals and reasons for applying to graduate school in your particular field of study. You may need to brainstorm before starting the draft on what's unique about you, how you became interested in the field, your personal characteristics and skills and your previous experiences.
The opening paragraph should grab the reader's attention. Introduce the main elements that you will discuss in the statement. The middle paragraph should include the "meat" of the statement. Indicate why you are interested in the field and any relevant experience you have had. State some of your long term goals and be specific. You should state what you can offer the program and in turn what you will gain from it. You could also include some of your personal qualities and strengths. The closing paragraph should leave the reader with an image of you that they will remember. You should either re-articulate the main points of the statement, or add a particularly significant point. An average length of the statement is around two pages or approximately 500 words.

Some items that should be left out of a personal statement are, any information from high school (unless an interest in the field began in high school), potentially controversial subjects and any item that doesn't answer the question asked or follow the guidelines specified. Be selective. It is important to demonstrate your enthusiasm and the statement should show your personality and individualism. Lastly, it is important that the statement be well-written.

A resource, that may be of help to you and includes sample statements is: How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School Richard J. Stelzer. Peterson's Guides

Interview: Some schools will require an interview for acceptance. If you are applying for an assistantship or internship, an interview may also be required. If the school does not require an interview, it would still be advantageous to schedule a time to meet with a faculty member or chairperson of the department for which you are applying. This meeting will provide an opportunity for you to find out more information about the school and the program. Before the interview, you should read over the catalogue to become familiar with the institution's goals and functions.
The following are possible questions asked by graduate schools in an interview.

- Why did you choose this graduate program?
- What are some of the reasons that you have chosen this profession? What do you think it takes to be successful in it?
- Tell me about your experiences in your field of interest?
- Tell me why we should choose you over the many other applicants?
- What are your long range goals?
- Describe three of your strengths and three weaknesses.
- What are some of the rewards and some of the frustrations of this profession?
- What was your most rewarding college experience?
- How do you spend your spare time. What are your hobbies?
- Tell me about yourself.

Other: Samples of previous work may be required for some programs such as Art, Architecture, Public Relations and Journalism. A portfolio can be created to highlight any work you are particularly proud of. Putting together a portfolio can be discussed with a Career Advisor in the Trustee Center. Other programs may require evidence of previous work experience in the field. This shows your enthusiasm and interest in the field and demonstrates out of class learning.

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