Advice From Current Graduate Students
. . . a list of suggestions for those planning on furthering their education at the graduate level
Financial Aid:
▪ Graduate school tends to cost more than undergraduate. Books are more expensive, tuition is generally higher.
▪ Aid can be available, but you may have to do some work to get it – and don’t stop asking. It will most likely depend on your program, not the university. Don’t be surprised if aid awards are different for graduate students in different departments.
▪ Some funding is contingent on being a Teaching Assistant (TA), Research Assistant (RA), Graduate Assistant (GA), Administrative Assistant (AA) for your department or others, or being a part of the Residence Life Staff.
▪ Prepare to be poor – adjust your standard of living accordingly.
Essays:
▪ Essays (and your undergraduate academic performance) are usually more important than your standardized test scores, but you need to make the “cut” to be considered.
▪ Your essay should identify why you are interested in the school, why you want to study a particular subject, and what you want to do post-graduate school. It is imperative that you “match” what the school provides.
▪ Don’t just say you are interested in field “X” – what areas or aspects of that field are you interested in? And it’s ok if this changes later.
▪ Point out the work of one or two professors that compliments what area of study you are interested in pursuing (Make sure you are familiar with at least some of their work if you do this, and don’t show up for your interview without reading their papers!).
▪ Draw from your background to show how you are prepared to enter the program, and what generated your interest in a particular area.
▪ Have someone read and proof your essay before you send it.
▪ If you write a general essay for more than one school, make sure you change the name of the school to match each application.
Researching schools:
▪ What is the placement rate – where do most graduates go? Salaries? Geographic distribution? Types of jobs?
▪ Not all programs are alike. Does yours require prior work experience? A foreign language? Full-time or part-time participation?
▪ What constitutes a “typical” student? Age, gender, work experience, background, preparation, etc.
▪ Arrange for an interview if you can. This gives you a chance to check out the school first-hand, as well as for them to get a true picture of you. Find out if you really want to go there. If you can’t get there, ask to talk or email with a current student to get the real “scoop” (glossy brochures don’t tell you everything).
▪ When was the last time a new professor was hired in the department? How many untenured faculty are there?
▪ If you enroll in a PhD program and don’t finish, can you get a Master’s degree?
▪ Are there comprehensive exams you need to pass to continue in the program at certain points?
▪ What percentage of students who enroll actually finish their degrees, and how long does it take them to complete them?
▪ Reputation of your program matters (especially for an MBA). Most employers will assume you attended the best school that you could get into.
▪ Health insurance? Make sure you get some as a graduate student – don’t go without!
What to think about when you get there:
▪ Graduate school is hard work. Take time for yourself, but be prepared to study. You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work. It is important to recognize that you wouldn’t have been accepted into your program if the department didn’t feel that you could succeed.
▪ If you plan to complete a Master’s degree, be aware that recruiting for jobs may start when you are only half-way through your degree requirements – after a year of school or so for a two year program. For a Ph.D., it will be put off until you are into your dissertation.
▪ If you plan to get a Ph.D., start thinking about a dissertation topic on day one. It’s ok to change your mind (you probably will), but it gives a framework to your studies, helps you to find out what you are really interested in, and saves you time in completing the degree.
▪ Connect with other students and find yourself a mentor – you’ll need the support of your classmates, and a mentor can help with administrative “red tape”.
▪ The most important decision you will make is choosing your dissertation/thesis advisor. Consider this choice carefully. Most people who don’t finish a graduate program have experienced a conflict or problem with their advisor.
▪ You’ll be working more independently than in undergraduate school – you need to know what really motivates you to learn.
Based on the advice of Mark Nelson, Ph.D., and others who have traveled the same road . . .