1. Thinking About Graduate School? (TAGS)
Dr. Jennifer Waldron
Dean of the Graduate College
&
Dr. Gabriela Olivares
Associate Dean of the Graduate College

2. Why Go To Graduate School?
Intellectual curiosity
Professional advancement/development
Graduate degree is required to practice
Examples for bottom bullet: law, health care, social work, counseling

3. Should You Go To Graduate School?
Yes, if you…
No, if you…
Desire specialized learning in a field
Enjoy research, teaching & writing
Want to become more competitive in the job market
Are required by profession
Are unable or unwilling to make:
Educational commitment
Financial commitment
Are avoiding the job market
Graduate school is an investment of time and money. You should approach it with a plan.

4. What If I Am Not Sure? Take a gap year Research graduate programs
Gain experience within your field of interest
Volunteer, teach, work
Programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corp offer graduate students the ability to combine their experience with graduate programs.
Explain what a gap year is.
Gap year flyer on website

5. What If I Want To Change Fields?
It is possible
May require additional undergraduate coursework or training
Consult with your current department and department of interest
Consult with your academic advisor
In order to get in to most programs, there should be a correlation of coursework completed in your undergraduate program to the graduate program.
For example: a psychology student could get a master’s degree in counseling; however, it would be very difficult to get into a geography program

6. What Is Graduate School Like?
It is not like your undergraduate experience
Higher expectations – reading, writing & research
Intensive experience –project development
Closer working relationships with faculty
In-depth classes with focused learning
High self-motivation required
Set goals
Less constant supervision
Highlight the great things about graduate education as well such as the close knit classes and hands on experience.

7. How To Find Graduate Programs
Learn about UNI graduate programs at
Finding schools with your program of interest:
Connect with organizations on campus
Pre-Law Club, Pre-Med Club, Psychology Club
Why connect with campus organizations? Often have recruiters and speakers come speak at meetings regarding graduate education.

8. Different Degrees and Types of Programs
Master’s Programs
Research Oriented (MA, MS)
Professional (MBA, MSW, MAE, PSM, MATR)
Research and Professional (MA Public History)
Doctoral Programs
Research Oriented (PhD)
Professional (MD, JD, DVM)
Research and Professional (EdD)
Different programs and professions require different levels of degrees. Not all programs are the same length and will require different things.

9. Handout On Campus Resources To Help You Prepare For Graduate School
If you refer to the blue handout you will find on campus and online resource links for you as you are preparing for graduate school such as Examination Services, Rod Library services, personal statement resources, financing information, Career Services and more!

10. Resources At UNI For Entrance Exams
Rod Library
Study books
Online study materials
Visit: Rod Library Online > Databases > LearningExpress Library > Register
The Learning Rod Library
The Rod Library staff is also extremely helpful and will point you in the right direction. The website offers free materials for pretty much every standardized entrance exam.
The Learning Center link takes you to GRE preparation, Praxis CORE preparation, writing resources, math and science resources, and academic success resources

11. How Many Schools Should I Apply To?
Somewhere between three to eight programs
Students, on average, apply to five
Keep in mind the cost of applying to schools- Handout on website for budgeting
How do I select schools?
Look into acceptance rate, minimum GPA, minimum entrance exam score, financial aid offered, etc.

12. How To Pay For Graduate School
Budgeting calculator from Grad Sense
Need-based financial aid
FAFSA- available for completion October 1st
Assistantships/Fellowships/Tuition waivers
Employer tuition reimbursement programs
Loan forgiveness programs (i.e., Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness Programs)
Also think about cost of living expenses such as housing, utilities, car expenses, groceries, textbooks, travel to conferences

13. Handout What To Expect On A Graduate School Application
If you flip over the blue handout you will find what to expect on a graduate school application, terms to know about applying to graduate school and a table of the standardized tests that you may need to take in order to apply. Within the table you will find the nearest testing site, test website, dates that the test is offered and the length of the test.

14. Components Of The Application
Application form(s)
Demographical information, list of undergraduate institutions attended
Official transcripts from institutions attended
Resume or CV
Personal statement
Recommenders’ information (e.g. name, , title)
Entrance exam scores if required
Essay(s) if required
Cover letter if required
Must pay for transcripts and entrance exam scores to be sent
***Keep copies and check that everything is received by your schools!***
Handout online for how to stay organized when applying to graduate school

15. Handout Timeline For Application To Graduate School
On the purple handout you will find a planning timeline for preparing for graduate school. This timeline maps out graduate school preparation from freshman year to the end of senior year of your undergraduate education. If you would like a timeline specific to senior year, we have this available on the Graduate College website.

16. Preparing for Graduate School: Sophomore Year
Focus on your studies – your GPA is important
Get to know 3-4 faculty members
Office hours
Classes connected to your future goals
Find opportunities for undergraduate research or internships
Get involved (e.g. clubs, volunteer, internships)
Begin researching graduate programs
Serve as potential references

17. Preparing for Graduate School: Junior Year
Identify 3 faculty members who will write letters of recommendation for you
Begin preparation for standardized exams
Explore graduate programs
Participate in research
Volunteer, job shadow, and gain experience in your field of interest

18. Preparing for Graduate School: Senior Year
Finalize list of schools to apply to
Take GRE or other entrance exam
Draft personal statement and give to faculty for feedback
Finalize resume/CV; have it reviewed by Career Services
Ask identified faculty for letters of recommendation
Review specific requirements for faculty
Finalize writing sample (if required)
Prepare for interview (if required)
Reference the tan half sheet with this information: We have a Personal Statement Workshop on Thursday, October 4th from 1:00-1:50 in ScholarSpace, Rod Library Room 301.

19. Asking For Letters of Recommendation
Ask the required number of faculty whom you have a relationship with
Give letter writers the following at least 1 month in advance:
List and description of programs you are applying to with submission deadlines
Resume/CV
Personal statement
Addressed envelope with stamp if needed
Politely remind faculty of submission deadlines 2 weeks prior
Send thank you s/notes to recommenders
Follow up in the spring with future plans
It is your responsibility to know what is required of your references as well as the deadlines each application is due for references!
Refer to planning timeline handout

20. Applying to UNI UNI requires: Department/Program may require:
Application for Graduate Study (
Transcripts–bachelor’s degree and post-baccalaureate coursework
Departmental application
TOEFL or IELTS if first language is not English
Department/Program may require:
Letters of recommendation
Personal statement
Standardized entrance exam scores
Program Specific Requirements (
Other (writing sample, essay(s), etc.)
Note that the front of the purple handout below the agenda there is a list of all the graduate programs and emphases offered at UNI for your reference.

21. Sample Application For UNI Admission

23. UNI Application Fee Waived For UNI Graduates!

24. Additional Resources On The Graduate College Website
Senior Year Graduate Application Checklist
How to Stay Organized When Applying to Graduate School
Budgeting for the Graduate School Application Process
Taking a Gap Year
How to Ask for Letters of Recommendation
Check out the Graduate College website for additional handouts, PowerPoints and links to help you through the application process.

25. Questions? Susie Schwieger, Director of Graduate Student Life
Dr. Gabriela Olivares, Associate Dean of the Graduate College