Copy of Graduate School Preparation

Graduate School:

The Transitions and Considerations

Sources

Social Media Management

and the application process...

• Look at your profile page from the perspective of a graduate school admissions representative.

• www.acpafoundation.org

• www.myacpa.org

• Research your graduate school program through social media.

Networking

and

Professional Development

• www.usnews.com//education/graduate-schools

• Erasing your entire profile does not guarantee anonymity. Never put anything up on a social media site you would not want your prospective faculty, employers, and peers to see.

"Direct funding and travel grants should always be provided for graduate student research, training and/or conference participation.''

-ACPA Foundation

• Various in-person interviews with UNCW Faculty, staff, and administration!

• Provide experience, research, and training info if you do have social media profiles/pages.

Grad School 101 cont...

Funding for Grad School

Graduate Assistantships

Know your standardized test!

• Administrative

• Teaching

• Residential

• Research

Fellowships

• National

• Local

• Graduate

• Dissertation

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT):

Offered many times throughout the year.

For primarily biological and physical sciences.

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Administered only four times every year.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

Generally needed for business school admissions.

Typically offered every weekday throughout the year.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Often used for general graduate school admissions. (Similar to SAT format)

Offered most days/weeks throughout the year in various locations.

The Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Offered at various sites around the country on almost any day of the year.

• Postdoctoral

Part-time Employment

Student Loans

• You will not pay until 6 months after finished.

Main

Considerations

Application Tips!

Email: mjbrown336@gmail.com

Grad School 101

About Me

Jeremy Brown

Application

Know your degree & program!

• Research experience is some of the best preparation and gives you an edge in the admission process!

• UNCW Higher Ed. Grad Student

• Former Admissions Counselor

Essay

• Mention/explain any rough areas.

Masters degree

• [i.e. M.Ed] (about 1-3 years)

Professional degree

• [i.e. JD] (about 3-4 years)
• [i.e. MD - Med school (4), residency training (3-5), etc....] (about 8 years)

Doctorate degree

• [i.e Ph.D] (4-8 years)

Terminal degree

• [i.e Usually a MFA degree] (the highest academic degree in area)

• Vice President of Ed. Leadership Grad Student Association

Grad School Costs

• Even if an application does not have a word limit, keep it as brief & clear as possible.

What are the numbers?

• UNCW Diversity Council Member

• Use professional language and avoid cliches.

• NASPA Member

Interviews

• Be ready to answer hard questions about any flaws in your application.

• Remember that you are interviewing the school as much as they are interviewing you. Ask many questions and get as much information as possible!

Questions?

Myths and Facts about grad school

Fact

Myth

• My undergraduate academic record isn't good enough, and I might not get accepted because of that.

• Graduate school is not for everyone directly after graduation and requires serious commitment.

Take Home Advice

• Graduate school gives you a unique opportunity to specifically explore your passion, while expanding on the foundation you built for yourself during undergrad.

• Graduate School isn't worth going to unless I get into a top-ranked school or program.

• Mostly all graduate schools have funding available to support graduate students.

• Remember the simple things when it comes to the application process. Remember to proofread carefully, be 100% original, and be sure to give off the right vibe in your entire application.

Responsibility!

• Join professional organizations in your field! This is a great way to expand your network.

• Graduate education includes a wealth of flexible programs.

• Graduate school means you have to put your life on hold.

• Your focus will be on your research intensely and independently unlike undergrad where you are told specifically what to study/read. You will be expected to understand your field!

February

March

June

April

May

The Application: Key Advice!

More autonomy, less structure

How graduate school is different than undergrad

• There is much less guidance.

• Less time in class: more time with academic and professional activities/events.

• Make your goals and interests as clear as possible. Fit is VERY important!

• Important deadlines and required experiences are your responsibility!

• Smaller classes with more rigorous evaluation of work.

• Time management is key! Especially with classes once or twice a week (or online).

• Mention specific faculty. Especially if you're applying to a program that involves working with a specific faculty member.

Are you ready?

• Do your research! If you mention specific information, it will highlight that you took the time to find out about it.