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 Estimate how far in advance a letter of recommendation should be requested List the important things to consider when writing a statement of purpose

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

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

Reason #1 Career 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.)

Reason #2 Compensation 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

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

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

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 the Career Center

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 2013 or 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?

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

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.

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)

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. 9 th 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.

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.

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

Preparing For Graduate School Survey Thank You!

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 Program California State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1527 (805) (office) Career Development Center California State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1548 (805) (office) (805) (fax) Patty Dang Career Development Services Counselor California State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1548 (805) (office) (805) (fax)