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Welcome! SCSU Students. School of Graduate Studies St. Cloud State University Tuesday , April 16 , 2013 Presented by: Annette Day Director of Graduate Admissions. Why Get a Master’s Degree?. Advance your career Make more money http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
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Welcome!SCSU Students School of Graduate Studies St. Cloud State University Tuesday, April 16, 2013 Presented by: Annette DayDirector of Graduate Admissions
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
Types of graduate schools • Research • Comprehensive • Private • Proprietary
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?
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
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
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
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
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
What to submit? • Basic materials • Application • Application fee • Requested test scores • Recommendation forms or letters • Statement of Intent
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
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
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
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
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
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
How are admissions decisions made, cont’d… • Employment/career history • Recommendation letters • Essay or statement of intent • GRE or GMAT scores • Interview
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
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
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
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