The Truth About Graduate School...

1. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 1 The Truth About Graduate School... Successfully getting in and completing a graduate degree

2. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 2

3. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 3 Overview Graduate School Basics –selecting and applying to a graduate school program Financing Graduate School –tips on financing your graduate school program Expectations –what is expected of you academically in graduate school Graduate School Culture –negotiating graduate school culture or how to “talk the talk” Realizing Your Goals –successfully completing your graduate school program

4. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 4 So you’re thinking about grad school… Where shall I go and what shall I do? It’s never too early to start thinking about grad school. There are hundreds of programs each at hundreds of schools, with various admissions requirements. Planning ahead during your undergraduate years will make the graduate application process easier.

5. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 5 What shall I do? If you know what program you want to pursue, that’s half the battle! If you know want a professional program in Law, Medicine/ Health Related Professions, Business or Engineering, all you have to do is choose your school. If you’re still unsure about your graduate major, do some evaluation of your strengths and what your future career aspirations may be. Your Career Services or McNair Office can help. You don’t necessarily have to have the same undergrad and grad major, but if you want an MBA and you’ve never taken a business course, you should do some preparation in Math, Accounting or Economics as an undergrad.

6. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 6 Where shall I go? Many students choose their undergraduate institution for grad school. They’re familiar with the school, the city, and if they remain in the same program, the faculty. There are practical reasons for doing this: You’re going to get your education paid for You’re working with a professor on a research project that you will continue in grad school Your undergraduate institution is a top school in your chosen field)…

7. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 7 Should I stay or should I go? If you have no practical reasons for staying at your undergraduate institution, or if you just want a change of scenery after 4+ years, you must find a program that fits your needs. Ask yourself: Is this a good school in my chosen field of study? Are the faculty doing research I’m interested in? Can I live in the city where the school is located? Do I have support systems at this school (McNair, LS AMP, AGEP, NSBE, SHPE)

8. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 8 Choosing a program After you answer these questions, you should have some schools you’re interested in. Gather all the information you can on these programs. Go to the schools’ website and get information, read faculty bio’s and research interests, email for applications, visit graduate school fairs, etc. Read graduate school guides (Petersen’s, US News, etc.) to be an informed “consumer”…

9. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 9 Applying to Graduate School… You have your schools in mind, now you have to prepare your application. The application process requires a major time commitment. Think of it like having an extra class, especially if you’re applying to a number of schools or to professional programs in Law and Medicine. Understand what you need to do and when you need to do it. Write early for applications, so you’ll know the deadlines. Make sure you know what test(s) you will need to take, and when you must register for them. Often you need to prepare for and take a test long before you fill out applications.

10. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 10 What are Graduate Schools looking for? Typically, graduate schools evaluate students in five different areas: Undergraduate Grades (typically a minimum of 3.0 or better) Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or other standardized test scores Letters of recommendation Statement of purpose Experience (especially Law and Business) Each institution’s departmental faculty and admissions staff decides upon admission requirements for its prospective students. Additional factors may be taken into consideration as well, like personal interviews or writing samples.

11. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 11 Standardized Tests for Grad School I took the SAT to get into college! I thought I was done with standardized tests!! Nope. Graduate schools are evaluating many applicants just as undergraduate programs do, only this time the stakes are even higher. Graduate education is more time intensive for faculty members, and you’ll probably have more interactions with them. They want to make sure you can “cut it” and will use the GRE (or some other test) to evaluate your verbal, analytical, and writing skills.

12. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 12 The GRE What is the GRE? (scored 200 – 900 pts.) The GRE is the SAT for grad school, only harder…The General Test measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills that are not related to any specific field of study. The verbal section measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, to analyze relationships among component parts of sentences, to recognize relationships between words and concepts, and to reason with words in solving problems. The quantitative section measures your basic mathematical skills, your understanding of elementary mathematical concepts, and your ability to reason quantitatively and solve problems in a quantitative setting. There is a balance of questions requiring arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The analytical writing section is a new section that tests your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It assesses your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, analyze an argument, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion.

13. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 13 GRE continued… Do I have to take the GRE? Probably…But some graduate schools will waive standardized tests if you were an undergrad at that school and/or have good grades (typically a 3.0 or better), so check with the individual graduate department…If your grades are less than a 3.0, the GRE may help boost your application.

14. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 14 Other Standardized Tests There are several standardized tests used for Graduate School Admissions: GMAT –For Business School Admissions (scored 200 – 800 pts) LSAT –For Law School Admissions (scored 120 – 180 pts) MCAT –For Medical School Admissions (scored 1 - ~45 pts) PCAT –For Pharmacy School Admissions (scored 100 – 300 pts) DAT –For Dental School Admissions (scored 1 – 30 pts) These tests can be used not only for admission to a graduate program, but for evaluating who gets fellowships and assistantships, which will be discussed later…

15. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 15 Letters of Recommendation Start collecting letters of recommendation early. You know you’ll need recommendations, but you may not realize how long it takes to get them written by professors. You may want to ask for more than you’ll need in case someone doesn’t come through. You have the right to request non-confidential recommendations, but admissions committees find confidential ones more credible. Be sure you really know who you’ve asked to write your letters. Professors generally want to help you get in, but occasionally someone will submit a less than flattering letter. If you have reason to believe that you may not get a glowing letter from a professor or other staff member, DO NOT ask them to write one. Get recommendations from appropriate authors, generally professors in your field of study and in some cases a counselor, advisor or supervisor. Read the applications carefully for directions in this area. Most Career Services Offices have a credentials service to help organize recommendations and send them out quickly and efficiently.

16. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 16 Letters of Recommendation: Who should I ask and what should they say? Should you obtain a recommendation from a professor in the field or from someone, such as a teaching assistant, who has worked closely with you and knows your work well? Ask the individual who knows you better and can write a more in-depth recommendation. If possible, ask professors who have taught you in more than one class. It’s important to get to know your professors, so they can write letters for you. In the Arts & Sciences it is essential that you have letters which address your intellectual abilities and your potential for research. At least some of these must be from faculty members, preferably in departments which are clearly and closely related to your proposed field of study.

17. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 17 Personal Statements Most applications will ask you to write a personal statement or statement of purpose. There may be a question like "Is there anything more you would like us to be aware of?" or "Are there factors that make you a unique applicant?" There is no formula for writing your essay. You must experiment to find the approach that introduces you most effectively. Before you begin your statement, read the essay directions carefully. Graduate and professional programs require different kinds of essays. For professional study: You may wish to write about an event that strongly influenced or matured you. Do you have a unique reason to pursue graduate work? Is there some part of your background that you didn’t describe in detail in the application? What else about you needs to be said? Capture the reader's imagination. Don't bore a committee with details of a research project, but focus on who you are as a result of your involvement with it. Don't repeat information already discussed in your application. You may also include a resume to present a more detailed history.

18. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 18 Personal Statements continued… For graduate study in sciences: Personal statements for these programs should be less personal than those for professional study. You will be assessed primarily on your intellectual strengths and aptitude for research. Make sure that your essay reflects both. In discussing your interest in a field, give the intellectual rather than purely personal reasons which attract you to it. If you know the research interests of faculty in the department (and you should if you are applying), discuss your interest in that area of study. PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! In the age of computers with spell and grammar check, there is no excuse for typos or misspelled words. That said, you should also double check your work by hand because the grammar check often makes mistakes, or doesn’t catch everything.

19. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 19 Grad School Interviews Some Graduate programs will request an interview as part of the admission process. This is almost a certainty for Medical School. The majority of schools use what is described as a structured interview, that is, they have identified important areas around which they will attempt to gather information about the student. The following is a reference guide to assess ways in which questions may be posed to you during an interview. SUPPORT PERSONS: Who does the student turn to in times of need to obtain help or advice. A student who is unable to seek help may be more at risk for not completing the graduate school program. WORK EXPOSURE: What does the candidate know about his/her chosen career? Is the student's knowledge base coming from family, friends, personal experience or reading? How realistic is the understanding? What is the level of awareness of the changes in graduate work today? What other professions have been ruled out in coming to this choice?

20. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 20 Grad School Interviews continued… MOTIVATION: Can a student describe the values that he or she possesses that will sustain motivation in difficult times? Who are the role models that have been most significant in influencing career choice and/or graduate work? Is there anything that would cause a student to lose interest in graduate work if it changed dramatically? PERSONAL QUALITIES: Appearance, poise, confidence, ability to communicate, sense of humor and proper use of the English language will all be assessed by the interviewer. Interviewers will pay particular attention to emotional stability including making an attempt to discern unresolved personal problems. They will seek to understand the students’ operating style, and whether tolerance for diversity has been manifested through life experiences, and whether the student is sufficiently flexible to manage the substantial changes that lie ahead. SOCIAL AWARENESS: How informed is the candidate about local and national issues? Has the student taken a stance on any area of social concern? What is the level of awareness of some of the important ethical issues facing us today? CARING, COMPASSION AND CONSCIENTIOUSNESS: What are your feelings about your abilities to be compassionate, yet remain sufficiently objective, thus not incapacitating yourself by becoming overly involved?

21. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 21 How will I pay for this? Graduate school can be very expensive, but it’s an investment in your future earnings… Here are some ways to pay: Graduate Fellowship Graduate Assistantship (GA) Teaching Assistantship (TA) Employer Assistance Loans

22. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 22 Graduate Fellowships Graduate Fellowships are awarded by federal and local governments, private organizations, foundations, and universities. Many provide a tuition waiver and a stipend. Most are granted on the basis of academic merit, so students should apply for those which match their interests and strengths. Any University Career Services Office should have listings or directories of major fellowships, those for special groups and career fields. Online sources are a great source of fellowship information as well. Fellowship and scholarship opportunities have strict deadlines and application procedures, so please read them carefully!!

23. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 23 Graduate Fellowships -GEOP EOP/HEOP Graduate Educational Opportunity Program (GEOP) scholarships are available for full-time matriculated graduate students who are New York State residents. Students who hold undergraduate degrees through certified EOP, HEOP, or SEEK programs are eligible to apply for the GEOP. All disciplines are eligible to apply. Students should contact the Financial Aid office at the institution they’re applying to for more information.

24. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 24 Graduate Assistantship (GA) Graduate/Research Assistantships are awarded by the institution. In return for assisting a professor with research, you will likely receive a partial or full tuition waiver and a stipend. You can also work in an office unrelated to your department as a graduate assistant and receive a waiver and stipend. These are harder to find, so it’s important to visit the institution you plan to attend to ask about these opportunities. Use your contacts on other campuses through CSTEP, McNair, SSS and the like, to identify assistantships.

25. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 25 Teaching Assistantship (TA) Teaching Assistantships are usually awarded by the institution to second semester or second year graduate students, though some may be available during the first semester. Many include a tuition waiver and stipend in exchange for your working with a faculty member (approximately twenty hours per week) by leading a discussion section, supervising a lab, or grading papers. These are typically found in the sciences (think of all the TA’s you’ve had in undergrad) and departments that offer large lecture classes.

26. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 26 Employer Assistance Some employers will pay for you to get your graduate degree while working. Some may even give you time off to pursue your degree. This can be an attractive perk, so look for it when evaluating job offers if you decide to work for a year or two. [For some graduate programs like Law, and especially Business, it is advisable to work for a year or two to make you a more well-rounded candidate.] Employers will typically require that you stay with the company for a period of time in exchange for your graduate school assistance, and they usually require you to achieve a minimum grade to have the courses paid for, so check these details before signing up.

27. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 27 Loans Although this should be your last resort, you may have to take out a loan to pay for graduate school. Remember graduate school is an investment in your future, so approach it the same way you would financing a car or a home. Shop around for the best rates, and make sure that you can complete your program in a timely manner so the investment will pay off. There are a variety of federal aid programs that all students may apply for. You can receive more information by ordering the U.S. Department of Education Student Guide by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 or by checking it out online at: http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/1999-0/index.html Federal Perkins Loans: These are loans with low interest rates made by colleges to students with exceptional financial need. The amount you are authorized to borrow depends on the time you apply, your level of need, and the funding level of the school. Repayment begins nine months after you graduate. More information about these loans is available at: www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/1999-0/perkins.html.

28. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 28 Loans (continued) Federal Stafford Loans: These loans are lent to you directly by the U.S. government. If your school does not participate in the program, a bank, credit union, or other lender that participates in the program handles your loan. Your loan money must first be used to pay for tuition, fees, and room and board. If loan money remains, you'll receive the funds by check or in cash. Stafford Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need; you will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need; you'll be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized (meaning that the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan, and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount). You can receive both a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period. You must be registered at least part-time and meet certain academic requirements, such as maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher at many universities, to be eligible. You do not have to begin paying back these loans until six months after you graduate. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education Web site at: www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/1999-0/stafford.html.

29. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 29 Other Financial Aid… Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community-service work and work related to your field of study. Federal Work-Study wages are usually $9–$15 an hour, depending on the type of work you do and the skills required. Your total Federal Work-Study award depends on the time you apply, your level of need, and the funding level of your school. Most work-study positions are on campus, though some off-campus positions are available with nonprofit organizations. Your total hours are limited to the amount of your work-study award as well as to a maximum of twenty hours a week during the school year. For more information about work-study, visit the Department of Education Web site at: www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/1999-0/fws.html. Loan Repayment Assistance Programs: There are a growing number of tuition "forgiveness" programs for students who are pursuing medical, law, business, or teaching degrees and who plan to work in the public sector. Check with your university to see if these programs are available on your campus. For more information about repayment options for law students pursuing work in the public sector, visit the National Association for Public Interest Law Web site at http://www.napil.org/.

30. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 30 The paper is how long? What is expected of you academically in graduate school? Graduate school is quite different than undergrad. You are considered more of a professional than a student. Your professors have different expectations: You’re expected to be committed…Your tenure in a Masters Degree program will last approximately 2 years (4 years or longer for Ph.D.) depending on how well things work out and how diligent you are, assuming a full time commitment to school. It is also assumed that earning your degree is your highest priority at this point in your life.

31. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 31 Graduate School Expectations… You are expected to get grades that are no lower than a B. In many grad programs, a C is failing…Law and Medical Schools may grade on a different scale You are expected to know how to write…Professors at the graduate level have little tolerance for grammatical errors, papers that aren’t proofread, and papers that are clearly written at the last minute. You are expected to be a professional…Professors consider graduate students as apprentice scholars, members of the profession or scientists, not as students in the traditional sense. They may not conduct their classes like a traditional classroom, but as a research work place or informal seminar where you share your ideas and scholarship.

32. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 32 Graduate School Expectations… You are expected to be independent, requiring only direction or some degree of technical help from time to time, especially during the initial part of your academic career. This will vary by professor, but you will probably be given much less direction than in undergrad… You are expected to try to solve problems on your own first…Professors will now expect you to use critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning to solve problems before you come to them for advice

33. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 33 Graduate School Expectations… You are expected to take the initiative required to move your work forward. Professors will not hold your hand every step of the way. You are expected to attempt to discover or find answers to any problems you may have, before you come to them. They will be glad to help solve problems if you come to an impasse. They are always glad to discuss the work in which you are engaged. You can always bounce ideas off them. As one professor put it, “there are no dumb ideas, but it is dumb not to have your own ideas.” You are expected to develop time management skills and not depend on professors to tell you when to do things. The environment in grad school is much less structured and students are expected to be more task and goal oriented. Business, Medical and Law Schools will still be structured, but you will have A LOT of work to do, and YOU will have to manage your time and get it ALL done…

34. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 34 Graduate School Expectations… You are expected to act professionally…The lab/library/computer lab/your assistanceship work site is not a social club. If you are not talking about your discipline or doing something related to your discipline you are not working. Of course like any work place there is a little socializing in the work, but this should be held to a minimum. You may be expected to produce publishable quality papers of an appreciable length (this will again vary by professor, but 20 – 25 pages is not unreasonable). It is important that students be able to write well. Students pursuing some graduate degrees in the social sciences and natural sciences should always pursue projects with the thought of publishing in refereed (read by others in the discipline for approval for publication) journals. You should also strive to do poster presentations at national society meetings.

35. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 35 What’d they say? Negotiating Graduate School Culture Much of grad school is learning how to talk the talk…students in grad school are often people who have held jobs in the field for years and are getting advanced education…They may use a lot of jargon, and you’ll feel as if you are the only person in the room that doesn’t know what’s going on…YOU AREN’T, and even if you are, you’ll learn the jargon soon enough…In the meantime, there are steps you can take to become more comfortable in your new program…

36. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 36 What’d They Say? One way to know what’s going on in your discipline is to keep current in the literature. You’re expected to be fully engaged intellectually with your area of study- in some disciplines several hundred articles are published every month. Your graduate papers/thesis should have as many current citations (within the past couple years) as you can obtain. Try to be current and up to date in your thinking. In many cases, by the time you get to grad school your undergraduate education will already be out of date!

37. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 37 What’d They Say? Do the reading!!! Graduate school (especially Law school) requires A LOT of reading…You won’t know what’s going on in class if you don’t do the readings ahead of time. Learn to read critically, and take notes on the articles. Your professor will provide some analysis, but you will also be asked to share your thoughts.

38. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 38 I Will Survive! What does it take to be successful in graduate school? Intelligence, excellent grades, and writing ability are important factors, but success in graduate school is due to more than just raw brain power. It is also strongly affected by dedication, hard work, seriousness of commitment, clarity of goals, and a willingness to embrace the values of the program. Those students who proceed through the program with the minimum amount of difficulty and a maximum amount of quality performance are respected by the faculty, receive the best financial assistance, and as a group, end up with the best employment…

39. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 39 I Will Survive! Researchers identified five factors which were named most often by graduate school faculty in describing really good graduate students they have known: 1. Visibility: The most often mentioned behavioral characteristic was visibility. Good students were observed to be physically present in the department, during and often after class time.

40. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 40 Five Characteristics of Good Grad Students… 2. Willingness to Work Hard: The next most often mentioned quality was that good grad students are hard working. It’s important to point out that the good students were perceived as hard working because faculty actually saw them working hard. Other students may have been hard working too, but because they were doing so at home or in the library, they were not perceived to be as hard working as the “superstars”. Remember however, Your good work will speak for you the loudest.

41. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 41 Five Characteristics of Good Grad Students… 3. Reflection of Program Values: A consistently mentioned quality was the faculty's perceptions of students’ professional values. These values were consistent with program values of research and scholarly excellence. Good grad students also recognized the value of having contact with broad areas in their discipline, even though their own programs might be highly specialized.

42. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 42 Five Characteristics of Good Grad Students… 4. True Interest in Research: Really good students were engaged in ongoing research projects not only because it was a degree requirement, but because they viewed research as an integral part of their discipline and a desirable and worthwhile activity.

43. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 43 Five Characteristics of Good Grad Students… 5. Development of Relationship with a Mentor: From the time they entered graduate school almost all good students attached themselves to one or two faculty members with whom they continued to work during the course of their training. Faculty reported that they "were easy to teach," "picked up things quickly," "could receive and use feedback well," "were not constant complainers." In essence, good students listened, learned, grew, and produced quality work through close working relationships with faculty.

44. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 44 Summary Get Organized!!! Keep records of when each application is due for each school. Back track from deadlines and allow extra time to deal with last-minute problems. Know how long your Career Services Office requires to fill credential requests. Follow up with writers of recommendations and check to see if your letters have been sent and received. Make copies of everything in case something disappears in the mail. Remember if you send applications by registered mail you can prove they were mailed on time. Find a system that suits you best in keeping on top of details and deadlines. As you apply, work closely with Career Services. Learn about their office resources, and keep in touch with counselors throughout the application process.

45. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 45 Summary What to Do Before Accepting Admission If you have not already done so, visit the school. Sit in on classes, and meet with faculty and students in the department. Before you visit, try to identify alumni from your university or friends of friends studying there and arrange to meet with him or her. Many Career Services Offices have alumni resource listings that can help you find someone and use those McNair, CSTEP, LS AMP, and SSS resources!!! Make contacts at this conference too!! Listen to what you’re told by students, while making your own observations. Do the students seem glad to be there? Evaluate your financial aid offer carefully and be sure you understand it completely. If you don’t understand, ASK!! If you receive funding for the first year, be sure to find out what the prospects are for funding in future years. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

46. Letitia Thomas University at Buffalo 46 Where to Get More Information http://wings.buffalo.edu/cpmc/gradresources/index.htm www.gradschools.com www.gre.org (GRE) www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT (GMAT) http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm (MCAT) http://www.lsac.org/LSAC.asp?url=lsac/about-the-lsat.asp (LSAT)