WJC Grad Seminar

Yesterday, as you passed through the Union I hope you noticed the plethora of tables devoted to various graduate schools.I also hope that you stopped to chat with individuals about any questions, or interests you had in graduate school. However, if you didn't because you lacked the time or courage to ask questions I will summarize their information for you.

Marketability:
Although graduate school is a great marketing tool when applying for jobs make sure to highlight other important things about yourself as well. Were you involved in leadership positions in organizations, have you had job experience or internships, do you know knowledgeable individuals in your field? Graduate school on its own won't make you successful. It is important to continually work on your marketability to help you be successful.

Application Process:
Research the programs you are applying to, and stay organized. Different programs and universities will have different requirements and deadlines it is important not to mix information up during the application process. Try to apply well before the deadlines so that you can follow up and make sure all requirements are met.

What Grad Schools Look At:
Graduate schools obviously look at your transcripts from your undergraduate experience.They expect you to have a high grade point average, but they also look at the difficulty of the courses you have taken. If an individual was moderately successful in a very difficult degree they would be more likely to be accepted than an individual who was very successful in an easy degree. Graduate schools will also look as how well you performed on standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.) Another thing they will look at when you apply is your cover letter/ personal statement and reference letters. These both provide the college a better idea of who you are as an individual and describe your character. These should tell the college about you and should act as your interview. Don't have your resume restated in these, or state why you are interested in going to graduate school. Let them get to know your passions and involvement through a story. Make sure all your documents are error free and brief.

Test Prep:
Although not necissary it is a good idea to have some test prep before going into your standardized tests.It is a good idea to practice in the same environment as the one you will encounter when actually testing. Practice time management skills to give you ample time when testing. Finally make sure to research what tests are required for the program you are interested in. Also research if there are programs offered to help you prep for these tests. Take advantage of these opportunities.

Financial Aid:
There are scholarships and grants available to help pay for graduate school, but other options might include student loans or working. Other options to look into are tuition reimbursement programs through companies, or graduate assistance-ships. An online website they encourage individuals to look at is fastweb.com to show various scholarship opportunities.  

I hope this summarized information was helpful as you you continue to look at graduate school, and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. Look for the next posting after we return from break. Once again enjoy the week, and its a great day to be a cardinal!