First and Sophmore Year
Visit The Cahill Center, C-209, to use computerized self-assessment programs such as FOCUS and DISCOVER to start planning your career and graduate school goals. Utilize graduate program resources in the Center to research graduate schools and programs.
- Obtain the Four Year Plan, available at The Cahill Center, and begin following the guide
- Establish a sound GPA as you begin your academic career. Seek academic advisement for course selection to facilitate appropriate academic progression. It is advantageous if you are anticipating graduate school to select a major early in your college career.
- Speak with the graduate school advisor at The Cahill Center and faculty in your major.
- Become involved in campus organizations and consider leadership roles.
- Attend Graduate and Professional Day in the fall. Begin to gather graduate school information and research programs that interest you. Utilize Internet resources from the Web.
- Research graduate programs/requirements and information on specific fields of study.
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Junior Year
- Speak with professors or professionals in your selected field to determine graduate programs that would best fit your interests and career goals.
- Explore the possibility of assisting at least one of your professors in a research project.
- Attend the Graduate School Workshops offered by The Cahill Center during fall and spring semesters.
- Attend Graduate and Professional School Day in the fall. Representatives from many graduate school programs will be available to answer questions about their institutions and programs.
- Utilize graduate school resources in The Cahill Career Resource Center and Internet information to learn more about the schools and programs you are considering.
- Determine admission requirements for your specific field of interest including entrance tests and deadline dates for the GMAT, GRE, LSAT and MCAT.
- Prepare for the exam well in advance. Consider enrolling in a test prep course. The late spring of your junior year is the optimal time to take admissions tests.
- Examine your transcript at the Registrar’s Office to confirm that all your grades have been properly recorded. Official/Sealed transcripts are required from each of the institutions you have attended.
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Senior Year
- Obtain copies of applications from the schools you are considering. Many applications are available from Internet sources.
- Review the essay and/or autobiographical questions and seek advice when writing your essays and/or personal statements. A well-written application can often be the determining factor for admission. Retain copies of all application materials.
- Identify faculty or professional staff whom you believe would write positive letters of
recommendation. Provide a written reminder of the specific points you prefer emphasized. Facilitate the process by giving sufficient lead time. Provide information regarding deadlines and all materials required.
- Devise a chart of admission requirements/deadlines to facilitate tracking the application process of each of the institutions to which you are applying. Record all entries on a timely basis.
- Apply early. Most institutions have a “rolling” admission policy (applications are considered and accepted/rejected as they are received).
- Complete all applications, tests and financial requests. Confirm that transcripts and references are forwarded at the appropriate time.
- Make an appointment with a faculty member within the programs to which you are applying.
- Be prepared for a personal interview. Send a thank you note to anyone with whom you have spent time.
- When you receive your admission decisions, seek advice from the Graduate School Advisor and/or faculty advisor regarding multiple acceptances or rejections.
- If you receive more than one acceptance, consult with faculty members, professional staff, alumni and/or current graduate students for information that might help in your
decision making process.
- If you are rejected from a desired program, inquire about taking graduate courses as a non-matriculated student. It may be possible to reapply after successfully completing one or more courses. Consider alternative programs. Many schools will accept six (6) transfer credits from programs of comparable status.
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Guide For Informational Interviewing
Not all graduate school programs grant or require interviews for admission. However, you should visit the school and gather information regarding the program about which you are interested. Be as well prepared as possible since you may have the opportunity to be interviewed “on the spot” and/or conduct an informational interview with significant people in the field.
- Dress appropriately in business attire.
- Be as relaxed as possible. Appear self-assured and confident.
- Be concise, articulate and organized in your approach.
- Research the graduate program thoroughly prior to your visit.
- Relate your skills and experience to the academic department’s needs.
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GENERAL QUESTIONS FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
- Why are you considering this college/university?
- Why did you choose this program? What are you hoping to learn?
- What specific courses have you taken in your chosen field?
- What are some areas of your education you would like to enhance?
- What specific academic skills do you have?
- Have you had experience in research? What kind of research have you done?
- What was the most important achievement or innovation of your undergraduate career?
- Did you participate in extracurricular activities as a student? What were they?
- How have these activities prepared you for your career goal?
- What do you hope to do with the degree you plan to earn?
- How you answer these questions will be determined by the type of program to which
you are applying.
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For Masters and Law Programs
- What area and/or field of interest do you plan to enter?
- What are your career goals?
- How do you intend to apply your advanced degree?
- What prior work experiences do you have in your field of interest?
- For some programs, it is a distinct advantage to have practical experience prior to admission.
For Ph.D. or Ed.D Programs
- What research experience have you had? What will be your dissertation topic?
- How is your research experience related to the program to which you are applying?
- How does our program meet your needs?
For a Ph.D. program, be prepared to address your plans to research very specific areas. Research faculty profiles and relate your academic skills to the needs of the program to which you are applying.
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Gathering Information at Graduate School Day
Useful questions for institutional representatives include:
- What types of programs do you offer?
- On what basis do you evaluate an applicant?
- How can I best prepare myself for admission to your program?
- What courses, extracurricular programs, community activities or work experience will make me a strong candidate?
- What steps should I be taking now for fall admission?
- When are the application deadlines?
- When can I expect to be notified of an admission decision?
- What financial aid (scholarships, fellowships, assistantships) is available?
- With my specific credentials, what is my chance for admission?
- What is your applicant to acceptance ratio?
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Resources Available at the Cahill Center
There are many resources in The Cahill Center for researching graduate schools and programs.
Resources include:
- Graduate School in the U.S. Fern A. Oram (ed). Canada: Thomson Peterson's, 2006.
- Get into Graduate School: A Strategic Approach. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2003.
- Paying for Graduate School Without Going Broke. Peter Diffley and Joseph Russo. New York: The Princeton Review, 2004.
- What Can You do With a Law Degree? Deborah Aaron. Seattle, Washington: Decission Books, 2004.
- Official Guide to ABA Approved Law Schools, 2005 Edition. Produced by The Law School Admissions Council and the American Bar Association. Newton, PA, 2004.
- Peterson's Graduate Programs 2003. Princeton, NJ: Peterson's, 2003.
Series includes: Graduate and Professional Programs: An Overview;
Humanities, Arts and Social Science; Biological Sciences; Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences, The Environment and Natural Resources; Engineering and Applied Sciences; Business, Education, Health Information Studies, Law and Social Work.
Internet Sites
GradSchools.com—a comprehensive online resource for Graduate School information.
www.gradschools.com.
Peterson’s Online—Peterson's reference and online resource site for Graduate Schools.
www.petersons.com/GradChannel
Discover—an online career guidance and research tool. Contact a Cahill advisor for password. www.act.org/discover/login
Visit a graduate school advisor in The Cahill Center and receive a complimentary copy of the Annual Graduate School Guide.
