So You Want To Go To Graduate School? Brought to you by CLASS Workforce Development

Types of degrees M.A. - Master of Arts M.A. - Master of Arts M.S. – Master of Science M.S. – Master of Science M.B.A. – Master of Business Administration M.B.A. – Master of Business Administration M.F.A. – Master of Fine Arts M.F.A. – Master of Fine Arts M.L.S. – Master of Library Science M.L.S. – Master of Library Science J.D. – Doctor of Jurisprudence J.D. – Doctor of Jurisprudence D.V.M. – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine D.V.M. – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine M.S.W. – Master of Social Work M.S.W. – Master of Social Work M.Ed. – Master of Education M.Ed. – Master of Education Ph.D. – Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D. – Doctor of Philosophy D.B.A – Doctor of Business Administration D.B.A – Doctor of Business Administration M.D. – Doctor of Medicine M.D. – Doctor of Medicine

Questions to ask yourself What are the motivating factors behind your desire to attend graduate school? What are the motivating factors behind your desire to attend graduate school? Have you researched employment opportunities thoroughly? Have you researched employment opportunities thoroughly? Are you fairly certain about the career path you have chosen? Are you fairly certain about the career path you have chosen? To what type of program are you applying? Is it competitive? Would full-time work experience help distinguish you from other applicants? To what type of program are you applying? Is it competitive? Would full-time work experience help distinguish you from other applicants?

Graduate school vs. full-time job Do not use graduate school as a means to “discover” what it is you want to do. Do not use graduate school as a means to “discover” what it is you want to do. Fully research career fields. Decide if a full-time job is more compatible with your career goals. Fully research career fields. Decide if a full-time job is more compatible with your career goals. Graduate program may require or look kindly on three or four years of work experience. Graduate program may require or look kindly on three or four years of work experience. You must be focused and have no doubts that a graduate degree is needed for your career goal or path. You must be focused and have no doubts that a graduate degree is needed for your career goal or path.

Why should you go to graduate school? You’ll have a chance to learn more about the things that interest you. You’ll have a chance to learn more about the things that interest you. It can influence how fast and how far you can advance in your career. It can influence how fast and how far you can advance in your career. You’ll have greater flexibility if you want to change careers. You’ll have greater flexibility if you want to change careers. In many fields, the bachelor’s is only an entry level degree. In many fields, the bachelor’s is only an entry level degree.

When you should not go to graduate school You are uncertain about your career direction and hope you will find it in graduate school. You are uncertain about your career direction and hope you will find it in graduate school. You are being pressured to go to graduate school. You are being pressured to go to graduate school. You think that you will need a graduate degree for a better job but its actually unnecessary. You think that you will need a graduate degree for a better job but its actually unnecessary. You want to avoid getting a job so you decide that graduate school is your only alternative. You want to avoid getting a job so you decide that graduate school is your only alternative. You think that graduate school is an extension of your undergraduate experiences and that you will be able to continue to revel in party going etc. You think that graduate school is an extension of your undergraduate experiences and that you will be able to continue to revel in party going etc.

Factors to consider when choosing a graduate school Where is it located? Are you willing to move to attend? Where is it located? Are you willing to move to attend? How much will it cost? Assistantships? Fellowships? How much will it cost? Assistantships? Fellowships? What is the quality of teaching and research? What is the quality of teaching and research? Is their program traditional or interdisciplinary? Is their program traditional or interdisciplinary? Will the courses be offered at times which will accommodate your schedule if you attend part-time? Will the courses be offered at times which will accommodate your schedule if you attend part-time? What are the department’s special interests? What are the department’s special interests? What is the department’s climate? What is the department’s climate? Does the school have a high ranking? Is that important to you? Does the school have a high ranking? Is that important to you? Are their special offices/facilities that will assist you with your education/life as a graduate student? Are their special offices/facilities that will assist you with your education/life as a graduate student? Do graduates get good positions when they are done with the program? Do graduates get good positions when they are done with the program?

Applying to graduate school Application Application Fees Fees Transcripts Transcripts Admissions Exams – GRE, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, etc. Admissions Exams – GRE, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, etc. Preparing for admissions exams Preparing for admissions exams Letters of recommendation Letters of recommendation Personal statements and essays Personal statements and essays Admissions interviews Admissions interviews

Timing How do your personal relationships and commitments figure into your graduate school plans? How do your personal relationships and commitments figure into your graduate school plans? Are you physically, mentally, and financially prepared to go straight into two to seven years of academia? Do you need a break from school? Are you physically, mentally, and financially prepared to go straight into two to seven years of academia? Do you need a break from school? Have you fully assessed your financial situation? Have you fully assessed your financial situation?

Financing your graduate education Fellowships: Grants based on academic merit that are awarded to a certain number of students Fellowships: Grants based on academic merit that are awarded to a certain number of students Teaching and research assistantships; Salaried part-time positions where you work as either a teaching or research assistant Teaching and research assistantships; Salaried part-time positions where you work as either a teaching or research assistant Loans: money that you borrow for your schooling and pay back after you graduate Loans: money that you borrow for your schooling and pay back after you graduate

Application timeline 12 months before deadline – Research and save money 12 months before deadline – Research and save money 6 months before deadline – Request application materials, and register and study for required admissions exams 6 months before deadline – Request application materials, and register and study for required admissions exams 3 months before deadline – Recommendations, essays, transcripts, school visitations 3 months before deadline – Recommendations, essays, transcripts, school visitations Immediately before deadline – Copies of materials, thank-you’s, send in application materials Immediately before deadline – Copies of materials, thank-you’s, send in application materials

Its only a test! GRE – Graduate Records Exam – General and subject test GRE – Graduate Records Exam – General and subject test GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test LSAT – Law School Admission Test LSAT – Law School Admission Test MCAT – Medical College Admission Test MCAT – Medical College Admission Test Additional tests – Dental Admission Test, Optometry Admission Test, Veterinary Aptitude Test, Test of English as a Foreign Language Additional tests – Dental Admission Test, Optometry Admission Test, Veterinary Aptitude Test, Test of English as a Foreign Language

Writing a strong and effective personal essay INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: Your commitment to the field Your commitment to the field Your career goals Your career goals Your major area of interest Your major area of interest Research and/or work experience Research and/or work experience Education background Education background Immediate and long term goals Immediate and long term goals Reasons for pursuing a graduate education Reasons for pursuing a graduate education

Who should write a letter of recommendation Professor Professor Supervisor from work Supervisor from work Supervisor from an internship or volunteer experience Supervisor from an internship or volunteer experience Club/organization advisor Club/organization advisor Someone who knows your academic skills and/or employment accomplishments Someone who knows your academic skills and/or employment accomplishments

OCTOBER 21, :00 PM–4:30 PM OHIO UNION GRAND BALLROOM LOCATED AT 1739 NORTH HIGH STREET COLUMBUS OH THE EVENT LASTS FROM 12:00 P.M. TO 4:30 P.M. ADMISSION IS FREE TO ALL STUDENTS. DRESS IS CASUAL, COME AS YOU ARE! OSU Professional & Graduate School Fair

Grad/Prof School Resources Online Practice Tests & Test Prep Materials: Ohio Means Jobs - Follow these steps to access the test prep materials online: Go to: Under “individual,” select “Get Started” *Select “college student” (*see note below) At the top of the page, click on “plan it” In the left menu, select “plan it,” then select “Assessments and Training” from the choices that appear **Click on “Access Learning Express Anonymously” (**see note below - if you don’t want to create an account) Select the “College Test Preparation” icon In the left menu, select “Graduate School Entrance Exams Preparation” Notice the menu near the top of this page – it offers GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MAT and PCAT tabs. Select the tab that you need.

WSU Library Print Study Guides At WSU: – –Check Wright State University Libraries Catalog: and click on “catalog” – –Search for: GRE (or whichever test you intend to take) – Many results could be on Course Reserves at Dunbar Library: 7-day checkout At other Ohio Libraries (they will be delivered for pickup at Dunbar Library): – –Check OhioLINK (ohiolink.edu, select ‘catalog’ on the right) – –Search Ohio ( - they will send books here to WSU) You can also check your local public library

Remember!! We are here for you!! We are here for you!! Call, , set up an appointment Call, , set up an appointment X4268 or X4268 or Consult with your professors!! Talk with the alumni!! Consult with your professors!! Talk with the alumni!!