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

Preparing for Graduate School

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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 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Preparing for Graduate School

Preparing for Graduate School

Presented by: Patty Dang, M.S.Career Development Services Counselor

Page 2: Preparing for Graduate School

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

Page 3: Preparing for Graduate School

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 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?

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

Page 4: Preparing for Graduate School

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

Page 5: Preparing for Graduate School

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.)

Page 6: Preparing for Graduate School

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

Page 7: Preparing for Graduate School

Reason #3Staying Marketable

• Career Advancement and promotions• Professional Development• Moving towards supervisory or executive roles• Improving skills and obtaining needed

competencies (Series 7 License)

Page 8: Preparing for Graduate School

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

Page 9: Preparing for Graduate School

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

Page 10: Preparing for Graduate School

Career Development Services

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

Page 11: Preparing for Graduate School

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.

Page 12: Preparing for Graduate School

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

Page 13: Preparing for Graduate School

Annual Programs & Events

• Graduate School Bound Program• Mock Interviews• Graduate School Panel• Graduate & Professional School Fair• Graduate & Professional School Week

Page 14: Preparing for Graduate School

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

Page 15: Preparing for Graduate School

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)

Page 16: Preparing for Graduate School

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?

Page 17: Preparing for Graduate School

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

Page 18: Preparing for Graduate School

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.

Page 19: Preparing for Graduate School

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)

Page 20: Preparing for Graduate School

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.

Page 21: Preparing for Graduate School

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.

Page 22: Preparing for Graduate School

Career Development Services: WebsiteCareer Steps on CDS Website: Career Steps4-year Career Compass Guide: Career CompassDetailed Listing of Workshops & Events: ScheduleExploring Majors: College Majors 101, Myplan,What Can I Do With My Major

Resources to help you …

Page 23: Preparing for Graduate School

Preparing For Graduate School Survey

Thank You!

http://go.csuci.edu/cdsgraduate

Page 24: Preparing for Graduate School

Questions?

www.csuci.edu/careerdevelopment

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)[email protected] Career Development CenterCalifornia State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1548(805) 437-3270 (office)(805) 437-8899 (fax)[email protected]

Patty DangCareer Development Services CounselorCalifornia State University Channel Islands Bell Tower 1548(805) 437-3270 (office)(805) 437-8899 (fax)[email protected]