Colby-Sawyer College

Ask Yourself Questions

• How might graduate school affect my career or professional plans?
• Will a graduate degree enhance or narrow my employment prospects?
• Do I need to attend right away?
• Am I burned out academically?
• Do I want to go full-time?
• Should I work full-time and go to school nights?
• Would I benefit by gaining some practical experience before pursuing graduate studies?
• Am I postponing some tough decisions by going to graduate school?
• Do I know exactly what discipline I want to study?
• Will the specific area of study help me get the job I want?
• Will a Master's degree be enough or will I need a Doctorate?
• Where will I choose to go?
• How will I finance it?

Advantages of Proceeding Directly to Graduate School

• Continuity between undergraduate learning learning and specialization of graduate field.
• Easier to finance graduate school prior to other financial obligations (marriage, mortgages, etc.)
• Good to get educational preparation "out of the way" prior to one's career development.
• Can defer repayment of undergraduate loans in certain circumstances.

Disadvantages of Proceeding Directly to Graduate School

• Uncertain about purpose of study.
• Goals conflict (I want to get education, gain experience, travel, make money).
• Unwilling to grow into professional role without non-academic life experience.

Advantages of Waiting 2 to 5 Years Before Attending Graduate School

• Acquire work experience which provides knowledge of field(s) of interest.
• Some schools (MBA and some Law) seek applicants with prior work experience.
• Refreshed and motivated to pursue academic work.
• Establish financial stability prior to further education.
• Ability to obtain internships, fellowships, etc. for assistance during graduate school.

Researching Graduate Schools and Programs

• Talk with experts in the field (faculty, advisors, friends, alumni, counselors, etc.)
• Consult books and on-line resources.
• Write to individual departments requesting information.
• Visit schools.
• Talk with students enrolled in the program you are considering.
• Interview with graduate school recruiters and attend graduate school fairs.

Admission Requirements

• Can you realistically get admitted?
• How competitive is admission to the program?
• Do you meet admission requirements (GPA, test scores, course background, etc.)?
• Does the specific department prefer candidates who are recent grads or those with prior experience?

Curriculum

• Does the graduate school have the curriculum you plan to pursue?
• Does the primary emphasis of the program suit your educational goals?
• Will the curriculum provide you with the background you desire?
• How do the program requirements compare with those of other institutions?
• How many courses/credits are required?
• Is a language required?
• How many and what type of qualifiers (written and/or oral comprehensives, thesis) are required?
• How long will it take to complete the program (typically 1-2 years for Master's, 4-8 years for Doctorate)?
• Does the program include practical experience?

Reputation/Quality of Program

• What is the reputation of the school, department, faculty, and alumni?
• What type of reputation does the program have in your field of choice?
• What do students and faculty think of the program?
• Is the program accredited? By whom?

Placement

• How many students complete the program?
• What percentage of graduates find employment?
• Are placement services available to help students find employment?
• What types of employment are most frequently taken by program graduates?
• Will the degree allow for employment flexibility?

Faculty

• How many faculty members are there in the program?
• Does the department's reputation depend on one or two people?
• What is the faculty/student ratio?
• Is there a variety of viewpoints in the department or is one philosophy inherent? What is it?
• Are faculty committed to teaching, research, or service?
• What have the faculty published recently?
• Are the faculty well known?
• How available to students are the faculty?

Location/Size

• Do you want to attend a large or small school?
• Do you refer large or small classes?
• How large is the enrollment in the department?
• In what geographical area do you want to attend school?
• How far from family and friends do you want to be?
• Do you want to be located in a city, suburban, or rural area?
• Does the community offer the social, recreational, and cultural activities you enjoy?
• Is graduate housing available?
• How difficult is it to find off-campus housing?
• Is public transportation available to and from school?

Cost/Financial Aid

• What is the cost of the program?
• Has the cost of the program risen over the past few years and is it expected to rise in the future?
• How much financial aid is awarded in the form of fellowships, assistantships, internships, and loans?
• Does existing financial assistance extend beyond the first year?
• Will you be granted tuition remission?
• How much of a stipend, if any, will you receive?

Application and Fee

• Each graduate/professional school requires its own application and nonrefundable application fee.
• It is important to submit a neatly typed, thorough application and fee by the deadline date indicated.
• Deadlines usually fall between February and March.
• Apply early to schools with rolling admissions as applicants are admitted as applications are submitted.

Admission Test Scores

• The admission test required for every program vary from institution to institution.
• Research requirements through a guide to graduate programs, a catalog, or call the department.
• Preparation books highlight directions and typical questions on examinations.
• Courses review directions, format/content of exams, test-taking strategies, and give practice exams.
• Academic advisement can provide you with registration booklets and information.

Grade Point Average

• GPA is one important factor for admission.
• How GPA is weighed varies from institution to institution.
• Refer to your Student Handbook for information on computing grade point average.

Official Transcripts

• An official transcript can be requested from the Registrar's Office.
• Demonstrates receipt of an undergraduate degree and shows course work taken and grades received.

Letters of Recommendation

• Usually 2 to 3 letter of recommendation are requested.
• Ask individuals in a position to best assess your ability to achieve well in your selected program.
• Also ask individuals who an attest to your good character and interest in the field.
• Graduate schools generally request recommendations from faculty.

Samples of Previous Work

• For entrance to some programs, examples of your work will be required.
• Most often these include writing samples, art portfolios, etc.
• Some programs require evidence of part-time or full-time work experience in a related field.

Specific Undergraduate Major

• Some programs require either one or several undergraduate majors or courses from specific disciplines.

Personal Statement

• In this statement of purpose, you should articulate your goals.
• Indicate why you are interested in the field and your related background.
• Emphasize what you have to offer the program and how you can benefit from it.

Work Experience

• Some programs require previous work experience to indicate commitment/desire to continue in the field.
• Input about work experience enhances the educational program.
• It enables you to relate your work experience to what you are learning.

Interview

• An interview is required for entrance into some graduate programs.
• Usually not part of admissions process unless applying for assistantships or internships.
• You can schedule an interview if you believe it will help your admission or if you have questions.
• Representatives from various graduate programs may participate in graduate school fairs.

Deferring Enrollment

• Some graduate schools will allow you to defer your attendance for one or two years.
• Deferment guidelines vary widely among programs so contact the department chair or dean for policy.
• It is wise to discuss deferment plans with Academic Advising or a faculty member.

How to Benefit From Rejection

• Contact the graduate school or program department to ask why you were rejected.
• Get suggestions of what action you can take to get admitted in the future.

Fellowships

• On the graduate level, fellowships are equivalent to scholarships.
• Fellowships are a straight monetary award given on the basis of scholastic record.
• Funds may come from endowments, current income, private foundations, industry, or government.
• Catalogs outline institutional fellowships and directories identify other sponsors.
• Ask departments about applying for fellowships.

Assistantships

• Individual departments award teaching and research fellowships.
• You work part-time while pursuing your studies.
• A stipend serves as remuneration and sometimes tuition remission.
• Inquire about assistantships within the departments.

Resident Assistantships

• Resident directors work in residence halls while pursuing their graduate studies.
• Resident assistants usually receive tuition remission and a stipend.
• Some programs offer credit.

Long-term Educational Loans

• The Federal Government offers low interest loans which you repay over a long period of time.
• Repayment begins several months after graduation.
• Check with the financial aid department and local banks for information.

College Work-study

• Institutions award part-time employment to students who demonstrate a need for financial aid.

Other Employment

• Some communities provide opportunities for work.