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Preparing for Graduate School

Preparing for Graduate School. Presented by: Patty Dang, M.S. Career Development Services Counselor. Learning Outcomes. Identify two reasons to attend graduate school Summarize how to select and prepare for graduate school tests

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Preparing for Graduate School

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  1. Preparing for Graduate School Presented by: Patty Dang, M.S. Career Development Services Counselor

  2. Learning Outcomes • Identify two reasons to attend graduate school • Summarizehow to select and prepare for graduate school tests • Estimatehow far in advance a letter of recommendation should be requested • List the important things to consider when writing a statement of purpose

  3. Agenda Why Graduate School? Graduate School Resources Application Process Testing When Should You Attend Graduate School? • Things to consider for graduate school • Reasons for attending graduate school • Graduate School Bound Program • Graduate School preparation resources online and at Career Development Services • Timeline for graduate school application • What materials are needed to submit your application? • How far in advance should you request a letter of recommendation? • Which test to take? • How important are the scores? • When should you take the tests? • How do you prepare? • Immediately after graduation • After some work experience • During your entry-level career

  4. Why Graduate School? Things to consider… • Going to graduate school is a major commitment of time and money and you really have to be sure before beginning. • What are your specific reasons for attending graduate school? • Graduate school should NOT be a default option because you don’t know what to do or you can’t find full-time work after graduation. • 3 Good reasons to attend Graduate School: • Career Goal, Compensation & Staying Marketable

  5. Reason #1Career Goal • Earning a graduate degree that leads to a specific career goal (Doctor, Lawyer, Psychologist and Teacher) • Not all careers need advanced degree to be successful (Computer Science, IT/Networking, Business, Marketing, Communications etc.)

  6. Reason #2Compensation • On average, MOST people with advanced degrees earn more than people with a bachelor's degree • Making more money shouldn’t be the only reason. • There are plenty of Bachelor’s degrees you could select that make more money than some careers that require an advanced degree

  7. Reason #3Staying Marketable • Career Advancement and promotions • Professional Development • Moving towards supervisory or executive roles • Improving skills and obtaining needed competencies (Series 7 License)

  8. Graduate School Resources Graduate School Bound Program • 6 session that will go over testing, application process, financial aid, writing a personal statement or statement of purpose, and graduate school research in a hands on approach

  9. Career Development Services Graduate School Counseling • Individual one-on-one counseling to cover a single graduate school topic • Requires the student to complete a large portion of research and homework before meeting with a counselor • To make an appointment, please call or email the Career Center

  10. Career Development Services Graduate & Professional School Handbook • Guide to help you get started • Basic information on the application process • Provides a list of resources

  11. Career Development Services Eureka& Career Cruising • Online resource that can help you locate and research graduate school programs • Contact information to programs universities and admission advisors.

  12. Career Development Services Weekly Resume Clinic and Drop-In Counseling • Polishing or critiquing your resume for graduate school application • Answer quick questions • Help you get started on the graduate school application process

  13. Annual Programs & Events • Graduate School Bound Program • Mock Interviews • Graduate School Panel • Graduate & Professional School Fair • Graduate & Professional School Week

  14. Testing Which test should I take? • Depends on the graduate program & university/college • Most students will need the GRE • LSAT – Law School • MCAT- Medical School • GMAT – Business Schools • Check with program requirements found on application website

  15. Testing Preparation Costs • Self- Study (ETS website, test books) • Graduate School preparation classes (community college courses) • Private test-prep schools (Kaplan) • ETS Website – free • Test books ($10-$30) • Test-Prep classes ($150-$500) • Private test-prep ($500-several thousands)

  16. Application Process Timeline Research • Select programs and schools of interests (takes 3-4weeks to 2-6 months depending on the person) • Find out about prerequisites • What is the application requirements • Should start around February-July of the previous year you plan on starting your program (Research Feb 2012 to be admitted in Fall 2013or 8-10 months prior to the application deadline) • Visit the school’s website • Do you like the courses or curriculum? • Who are the professors? What kind of specialty or research? • Does the program and school’s mission align with yours?

  17. Application Process Timeline Testing • Study for exam (May-August 2012 for Fall 2013) • Plan for a possible retest. If you test early and don’t meet the requirments for your desired program you can re-take the exam. • Pay & Schedule ETS exam 3weeks-2months prior to exam day • Exams fill-up quickly, you don’t want to wait until there is only a few days or a week before you take the test to register. • Tests are not offered every week, check exam dates at ets.org early • Take the Exam (July-September 2012 for Fall 2013) • If you need to re-take the exam it should not be later than November. • You need to consider when applications are due since results take 4-8 weeks to report

  18. Application Process Timeline Letters of Recommendation • Contact Professors and Supervisors 3-6 months prior to the application deadline • Producing a well written letter representing you in a positive way is cultivated from communicating your educational goals to your letter writer • Provide Summary & Transcripts • Don’t assume your letter writers know and remember everything about your career and educational goals. • Remind them why you are interested in your chosen program and school. • Request letters 6-8 weeks in advance • Good letter writing takes time. Faculty and supervisors are busy people, if you give them a really short deadline it shows you didn’t prepare in advance.

  19. Application Process Timeline Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement • Research program and school • If you understand the program and school’s goals and missions you can reflect in your essay writing both your interest and fit • Start taking notes and identifying what are the program goals, missions, student learning outcomes 6-8 months prior to the application deadline • Write Rough Draft • It is a common mistake to wait for the last few weeks before your application deadline before writing your essay(s) • Essay writing for graduate application is complex and needs several reviews • After extensive research on the program and school begin your draft 4-6 months prior to the application deadline • Review & Edit by friends, professionals and faculty • Feedback from multiple people is best • CDS reviews and edits both content and grammar (takes 3-7 reviews)

  20. Application Process Timeline Attend Graduate & Professional School Fairs • Meet with Enrollment Advisors • Get tips, additional help and your questions answered • Find out if your test results makes you a competitive candidate for the program, or if you need to retake the exam. • 9th Annual Graduate & Professional School Fair • Thursday November 8, 2012 from 10am – 2pm (Fall Only) • Graduate & Professional School Panel • Learn from Admission Advisors and current graduate students what it takes to get accepted and be successful in your graduate program.

  21. Application Process Timeline Submit Your Application • Applications are usually submitted between December 15-Jan 15 • Each program at each school is different, check application deadlines directly from the program department • Send your application 1-2 weeks early • Mistakes happen: missing document(s), application sent to the wrong department on campus, transcripts lost in the mail • If you send your application early you can easily remedy most issue(s) within 1-2 weeks so you don’t lose the opportunity to apply. • Interview requests occur 1-3 months after the application deadline • Acceptance letters are sent 3-6 months after the application deadline If you are unsure about anything, check with the Admissions Counselors or program department.

  22. Resources to help you … Career Development Services: Website Career Steps on CDS Website: Career Steps 4-year Career Compass Guide: Career Compass Detailed Listing of Workshops & Events: Schedule Exploring Majors: College Majors 101, Myplan, What Can I Do With My Major

  23. Preparing For Graduate School Survey http://go.csuci.edu/cdsgraduate Thank You!

  24. Questions? Please feel free to come by the Career Center for Drop-in Counseling held every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. from September 13, 2012 – November 29, 2012 Amanda Carpenter, M.S.Coordinator of Career Development Services & Henry L. "Hank" Lacayo Institute Internship ProgramCalifornia State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1527(805) 437-3565 (office)amanda.carpenter@csuci.eduCareer Development CenterCalifornia State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1548(805) 437-3270 (office)(805) 437-8899 (fax)career.services@csuci.edu Patty Dang Career Development Services CounselorCalifornia State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1548(805) 437-3270 (office)(805) 437-8899 (fax)career.services@csuci.edu www.csuci.edu/careerdevelopment

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