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Is Graduate School Right for You?. Is your desire for deep knowledge of a field unsatisfied?Is graduate work required for the career you have chosen?Are you thinking more of the road not taken?Is your career stalled?. Issues to Confront. Academic IssuesAcademic preparationMatching the program w
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1. Preparing for Graduate School Sherry F. Queener, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology
Associate Dean, IU Graduate School
Director of the Graduate Office, IUPUI
2. Is Graduate School Right for You? Is your desire for deep knowledge of a field unsatisfied?
Is graduate work required for the career you have chosen?
Are you thinking more of the road not taken?
Is your career stalled?
3. Issues to Confront Academic Issues
Academic preparation
Matching the program with career goals
Personal Issues
Financial planning
Time management
Relationships
4. Academic Qualifications Most graduate programs require a 3.0 GPA
Am I academically prepared with the right courses and grades?
Advising by program or by Graduate Office
Non-traditional students: Can I still do the academic work?
Graduate Non-degree program allows you to “test the waters”
5. Academic Qualifications Advanced degrees require you to master a field
Acquiring the knowledge base
Developing professionalism
Becoming a “steward of the discipline”
Committing to life-long-learning
6. Matching Program to Career Goals IUPUI offers over 140 advanced degree programs, both Indiana University and Purdue University degrees
What if I can’t decide on a program?
Advising in the Graduate Office
Advising in the programs
7. What Type of Degree Do I Need? Doctoral degrees
PhD
Research-based degree
Programs generally 4 to 7 years long
Major research project with dissertation
Preparation for
College/university faculty career
Directing research in industry
Research/administration in government laboratories
8. What Type of Degree Do I Need? Master’s Degree
Research-based
Programs generally take 2 to 3 years
Research project with thesis/capstone
Preparation for:
Entry into PhD program
Research career in industry
Research career in government laboratories
9. What Type of Degree Do I Need? Professional degrees
Traditional professional degrees
MD, DDS, JD, DPT, MSW
Regulated by disciplinary accreditation
Clinical/practitioner training
The new professional masters degrees
Traditional fields but cross-disciplinary
Public history, biology (business), forensic science
New fields
Museum studies, philanthropic studies, GIS
10. Can I Afford Graduate School? What is the true cost?
Tuition and required fees
Housing costs/living expenses
Loss of current income
Undergraduate loans: will they be deferred?
What help can I get?
Tuition waivers
Stipend
Loans
11. Time Management Time demands of graduate school
Graduate programs are designed as full-time programs; if you are part-time, it will take you longer.
Actual class time
Research/study time
Time demands of life situation
Commute time?
Child care?
12. Relationships Who will help you get through the emotional demands of graduate school?
Parents
Spouse
Friends
Children
13. What Are Graduate Programs Looking For? Evidence of talent
Evidence of passion
Consistent goals
Evidence of good writing
Characteristics that distinguish you from the crowd
14. How to Apply Look right now at online application
What information/materials do you need to assemble?
Start talking to programs now for fall 2008
Graduate admissions decentralized
Start thinking about your statement
Find your own voice
Prepare for and take the GRE
15. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) What is it?
Part 1: Verbal
Part 2: Quantitative
Part 3: Analytical Writing
Does every program require it?
No; confirm with each program
How do I prepare?
You have been preparing all along
GRE website offers free practice materials
Commercial or local prep courses
16. How Do I Choose Among My Offers? Faculty research match to your interests
Do these faculty have room for you?
Look at student success rate in program
National Research Survey of Doctoral Programs
Discuss choice with trusted academic advisors
Visit each institution
Ask to speak to faculty and to students
Assess the relative costs
17. Graduate Office Contacts Sherry F. Queener, Ph.D.
General advising
Graduate Office, Rm 207 Union Building
274-1577 or queenes@iupui.edu
Sue Wheeler
Graduate Non-degree Coordinator
274-1577