Is graduate school right for you?

Consider the following:

  • Would working after earning a bachelor’s degree help you decide if graduate school is right for you?
  • Does the graduate program require you to have work experience before attending?
  • Is your interest in an advanced degree personal or professional?
  • If personal, do you have the time and the financial capability to follow through on this choice?
  • If professional, is the degree required for you to fill the position you desire?
  • Is your employer willing to pay for your advanced degree?

Preparation Timeline

Many graduate school deadlines are early in the same year that you would begin classes. To stay ahead of the game, consider the following timeline.

Junior year

Talk to your academic advisor about exploring graduate programs.

Early senior year

  • Take any required admissions tests.
  • Prepare application paperwork.
  • Request letters of recommendation well in advance of their due dates.

Some schools require resumes and interviews as part of the admission process. Consult the Career and Experiential Education Center for assistance with your resume and a mock interview.

Web Assistance

These web sites can answer specific questions about graduate programs:

Admissions Tests

Your undergraduate GPA, admissions test scores, personal statement/essay and interview are all part of a program’s decision making formula. The following admissions tests could be required for your graduate program:

GRE — Graduate Record Examination

The GRE is a multiple-choice admission test consisting of three scored sections:

  • Two essays — analysis of an argument and analysis of an issue.
  • A math section involving problem-solving and quantitative comparison.
  • A verbal section involving sentence completions, antonyms, analogies, and reading comprehension.

GMAT — Graduate Management Admissions Test

The GMAT is a standardized assessment that helps business schools assess qualifications for advanced study in business and management. The GMAT measures:

  • Your knowledge of business
  • Your job skills
  • Specific content of your undergraduate course work
  • Your abilities in any other specific subject area

MAT — Miller’s Analogies Test

The MAT uses analogies to identify candidates who are logical thinkers. It’s a high-level mental ability test that requires solving problems.

LSAT — Law School Aptitude Test

This test is designed to assess your potential success in a law school curriculum. It consists of:

  • Analytical reasoning
  • Logical reasoning
  • Reading comprehension
  • Writing sample

MCAT — Medical College Admission Test

The MCAT is a standardized, multiple choice examination designed to assess  problem-solving, critical thinking and writing skills in addition to your knowledge of science and principles requisite to the study of medicine. Scores are reported in each of the following areas:

  • Verbal reasoning
  • Physical sciences
  • Writing sample
  • Biological science

The Career and Experiential Education Center can provide information on study guides, practice exams and preparation courses that you can take to get ready for these assessments.

Graduate School Application Essays

Almost every graduate school requires a written essay. Each institution will have different criteria and different formats. Utilize the experts in the Career and Experiential Education Center to assist you with preparing an effective essay. Some basic reminders are:

  • Tackling the Question: Common essay topics include describing a significant experience, achievement or risk you have taken and its impact on you; or discussing an important issue, an influential person, or future goals.
  • Brainstorming: Use brainstorming techniques to zero in on a topic or situation. Reflect on and answer all of the questions posed to you.
  • Style and Tone: Brush up on your sentence variety, word choices, verb tenses, and transitions. Be positive.
  • Introductions and Conclusions: Introductions should grab the reader’s attention and conclusions should make a lasting impression.
  • Editing and Revising: Edit and revise the work obsessively. Have others proofread.