1. Thinking About Graduate School?
Dr. Barbara Cutter Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs

2. Why go to graduate school?
Intellectual Curiosity
Professional Advancement/Development

3. Should you go to graduate school?
Yes, if you…
No, if you…
Want to learn more within a field
Enjoy research/teaching
Want to be more competitive in the job market
Are interested in a field where a graduate degree is required to practice (i.e law, social work, health care)
Are not able or willing to make the commitment
Are only interested getting the degree to make more money
Are tired of being in school

4. What if I’m not sure?
Wait a year or two – many people do not go to graduate school directly after they graduate.
If you decide to wait, ask your professors for letters of recommendation now, and ask them questions about graduate school.
Do some research on graduate programs while you wait.

5. What if I want to change fields? Is It too late?
NO! It is never too late to change fields.
Do not be afraid to ask professors about this - it is common for people to change fields between their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
In some cases it could require additional undergraduate coursework, in others it won’t.

6. What is graduate school like?
It’s not like your undergraduate experience
More work, higher expectations
More opportunity for research & projects
More opportunity to work closely with faculty
Fewer classes per semester – more in-depth, focused learning
More self-directed: need to be able to set goals and keep working toward them without constant supervision or deadlines.

7. Different types of programs
Masters Programs
Research Oriented (MA, MS)
Professional (MBA, MSW, PSM, etc.)
Research and Professional (MA Public History)
Doctoral Programs
Research Oriented (PhD)
Professional (MD, JD, DVM, etc.)
Research and Professional (EdD)

8. Entrance Exams GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
General Test and Subject Tests
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)
DAT (Dental Admission Test)
VCAT (Veterinary College Admission Test)
OAT (Optometry Admission Test)

9. Can’t afford It? Check for fee waivers for entrance exams and application fees!
Some professional organizations have fee waiver programs to cover entrance exams and some application fees for law school, medical school, etc.
GRE has a fee reduction program
FreeApp (multiple schools, including U of Iowa)
Many schools have fee waivers: ask about them.
See Online Resources handout on Graduate College website for details about fee waiver programs

10. How many schools should I apply to?
To maximize your chances, it is a good idea to apply to at least 6 schools.
Make sure you have no more than 2 “aspirational” programs (i.e. very highly competitive programs); and at least 1 “safety” or back-up school on your list.

11. How to pay for graduate school
Need-Based Financial Aid
Assistantships/Fellowships/Tuition Waivers - Most common in research-oriented Doctoral programs & some Masters’ programs
Employer Tuition Reimbursement Programs
Loan Forgiveness Programs (i.e. Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness Programs)

12. Applying to professional programs
Professional programs often have very specific requirements. If interested in this type of program, speak with a faculty member in the program.
If the program is not offered at UNI, we may still have an advisor you can talk to: i.e. pre-law, pre-med, pre-veterinary advisors

13. Applying to research-oriented programs: Junior Year
Talk to faculty members.
Identify 3 faculty members who can write letters of reference for you. Get to know them.
Find opportunities for undergraduate research or internships depending on your field.
Begin researching schools. Look for scholars who you might work with.
Identify a paper to use as a graduate writing sample if needed - work with a professor to improve it.

14. Applying to Research-Oriented Programs: Senior Year
August-September
Finalize list of schools to apply to
Register to take GRE or other entrance exam
Draft personal statement and give to faculty for feedback
Ask faculty for letters of recommendation
Finalize writing sample (if needed)
Prepare for interview (if needed)
October-November: submit applications

15. Asking for letters of recommendation
Ask faculty for letters at least one month before they are due. Give letter writers the following:
List of programs you are applying to with deadlines
Draft of your resume
Draft of personal statement
Any other required written materials (i.e. writing sample)
Follow up in the spring: tell letter writers where you got in to school and where you are planning to go

16. Applying to UNI (application fee waived for UNI grads!)
UNI requires
Application for Graduate Study (
Transcripts for bachelor’s degree and any post-baccalaureate coursework
TOEFL or IELTS if first language is not English
Department/Program may require
Letters of recommendation
Some sort of personal statement
Departmental application
GRE/GMAT scores
Other—contact the department/program of interest!
Also ask your department/program about
Applying for assistantships & scholarships

17. 2017-2018 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
FAFSA Available for Completion October 1, 2016
Benefit of finding out earlier about aid
Parents and students use 2015 tax information to complete FAFSA
Learn more about FAFSA at

18. Questions?