Welcome! SCSU Students

1. Welcome!SCSU Students School of Graduate Studies St. Cloud State University Tuesday, April 16, 2013 Presented by: Annette DayDirector of Graduate Admissions

2. Why Get a Master’s Degree? • Advance your career • Make more money http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm • Empowers one to be an expert in a field/discipline • Pursue a love of learning • In today’s economy, highly knowledgeable people have edge over the competition • Graduate students are recognized as those who understand the need to keep pace with the changing workplace • Master’s programs provide a stepping stone to doctoral programs

3. Types of graduate schools • Research • Comprehensive • Private • Proprietary

4. How to choose a graduate school? • The most important factor should be how well the graduate program fits your particular interests, academic background, and goals. • Talk with faculty members at your undergraduate school to see where they completed their master’s and what they know about graduate programs in their fields. • Do you feel a connection to the campus department? • Do you feel you will be offered a mentoring relationship?

5. How many schools should be explored? • Safe schools (at least 2) 1/3 of your applications • Probably/Maybe schools (at least 2) 1/3 of your applications • Reach schools (at least 2) 1/3 of your applications

6. What are graduate programs looking for in a student? • Solid academics • Relevant work experience • Positive recommendations • Encouraging evaluations from faculty • Acceptable to strong score on standardized tests • Your professional goals • Want to know your academic interests

7. Some Good Advice • Start early so you are not rushed through tests and applications • Investigate all your options consider distance and satellite programs • Talk to everyone gather input and information from professors, professionals, family and friends • Trust yourself be confident you can achieve your dreams and to find a program that matches your needs and interests

8. When To Apply? • Check with your desired program. Deadlines are often set by programs. • Visit campuses the end of your junior year and over the summer • Start the application process early in your final year of undergraduate education. • Take the GRE or GMAT early in your final undergraduate year • Double check that all materials and forms have been submitted

9. Helpful websites to begin your search • http://www.gradschools.com/ • http://courseadvisor.com/ • http://www.schoolguides.com/Default.asp • http://www.graduateguide.com/Default.asp • http://www.gradschools.com/business-programs.html • http://www.gradschools.com/online-programs.html • http://www.gradschools.com/international-programs.htmlhttp://www.gradschools.com/landingpages/MetroArea.aspx

10. What to submit? • Basic materials • Application • Application fee • Requested test scores • Recommendation forms or letters • Statement of Intent

11. What to submit • Additional materials • Resume/vitae • Portfolio • Writing samples • Supplemental program application, music performance video • Interview • Doctoral- personal or department members • Master’s- group with department members

12. Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) • A standardized test required for applicants to an MBA program • Contains a Verbal section, Quantitative section, and two analytical writing sections • The verbal and quantitative sections range from 200 to 800 and are rounded to the nearest ten • The analytical writing score ranges from 0 to 6 in half- point intervals • You can visit http://www.mba.com/mba to register for the examination and access free preparation software • The GMAT cost is $250 in the United States

13. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) • A standardized test that plays a role in the graduate admissions process • Contains a Verbal section, Quantitative section, and two Analytical writing sections • The verbal and quantitative sections range from 130 to 170 in 1 point increments • The analytical writing scores range from 0-6 in half-point increments • You can visit http://www.ets.org/gre/ for free preparation materials and test taking strategies • The GRE cost is $160 in the United States

14. How to write a statement of intent • Think of your statement of intent as an extended and formal answer to the question, “Tell me about yourself…” • Your statement should be at a minimum 1- 1 ½ pages long • Opening paragraph- Introduce yourself and your reasons for pursuing graduate studies. Briefly discuss your academic, professional, and volunteer background • Qualifications (1-3 paragraphs)- Build a foundation for your forthcoming work • Closing- Leave your reader with a statement of your perceived qualifications and why you will be successful in graduate school

15. Recommendation Letters • Three recommendation letters/forms is the standard across schools • It is recommended that two of the recommendation letters come from previous or current professors, and the remaining recommendation come from an employer or internship site manager

16. How are admissions decisions made? • 1. Reviewed in the department of graduate school office • 2. Reviewed by department committee or chair • 3. Depends on competitiveness of the program • Score requirements • GPA requirements • 4. A student’s entire profile is then reviewed • Undergraduate GPA • GPA in major • Internships • Volunteer history

17. How are admissions decisions made, cont’d… • Employment/career history • Recommendation letters • Essay or statement of intent • GRE or GMAT scores • Interview

18. Financing your education Grants and loans • This aid may come from the institution, state government, the federal government, or sometimes your employer • Assistantships • Teaching- Teach with a full-time Professor or you may teach your own class • Research- Spend your time performing research in a specific field or study • Graduate- Tasks can vary from grading papers to managing an office

19. Teaching, Research, Graduate Assistant Benefits • SCSU- 8 credit tuition waiver per semester, and $10,000 stipend per academic year • U of M-Each department has their own funding; therefore, tuition and stipends vary. Most GA’s get full tuition waiver and health insurance benefits. The average salary for 20 hours work/week is $16,000 per academic year • UMD- Tuition is covered and all or portion of University fees

20. Assistantships, cont’d… • NDSU- Each department has a specific amount of funding each year; therefore, each GA tuition/stipend varies on which department they work in • UND- The amount of tuition waived varies department by department, can range from 1-12 credits. For a stipend, if you work 20 hours/week you receive $1,377.08 per month and 10 hours/week you receive $688.54 per month • St. Thomas-Fellowships offer tuition waiver and stipend; Research assistants receive $1,500 at the end of semester, and Teaching Mentors receive $1,200 at the end of semester

21. How to stand out? • Connect with a Professor • Build a relationship by asking questions and commenting on articles and their work • Send your vitae • Visit the program and graduate coordinator • Submit outstanding writing samples. Portfolio, etc • Discuss culminating project • Thesis- Your personal research and findings • Literature Review- A critical evaluation of material that has already been published • Portfolio- A collection of outstanding work you have completed

22. Best wishes to you and in your academic endeavors!