On Wednesday, September 18th, the CPDC hosted a Graduate School Prep Panel. This was a great opportunity for students to hear about the process of finding a grad school, applying, paying for it, and how to be successful.
Our panelist were:
- Brian McCoy – Professor of Psychology and Chair of Criminal Psychology
- Nicholas Barnes – Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Jessica Dias – Director of Graduate Enrollment and Student Success
- Jade Palladino ’17 – Clinical Director at Chapters Recovery Center
All our panelists offered such valuable insight. Below is a summary of the key takeaways and important tips.
What is the purpose of going to graduate school?
- There are a variety of reasons for people to attend grad school. Some are:
- Earn an advanced degree that will set you apart from others
- Potential for higher starting salaries
- Some career paths require you to have more than a bachelors degree
When should I start applying?
- Early/mid fall semester of your senior year is a good time to start applying to grad school. Don’t wait until the last minute, especially if you are interested in Graduate Assistant opportunities because those fill up fast. For students who are applying to law school, you should apply a year in advance because financial aid and scholarships go quickly!
What are some key factors to consider when looking into grad programs?
- Some key factors to consider when looking into grad programs are:
- Location – Where do you want to be geographically?
- Cost
- Faculty
- Environment (online, in person, hybrid)
- International students MUST attend classes in person if staying in the US. Being remote in your home country is okay!
- Psychology (look for programs that will set you up for licensure)
How do I find the right program for me?
- Go visit the campus if you can and try to meet with the program chair and faculty members. You can even ask them if you can sit in on a class.
- Think about what your specialties are and what interests you the most.
- Go on LinkedIn to find people who are in roles that are interesting to you and look at their educational background.
- Knowing what you don’t want is just as valuable as knowing what you do want!
What do I need to apply for grad school?
- Testing : Specialty programs, like medical and law, always require exams. Some business programs do, but there are plenty that don’t also! This may be something to take into consideration when looking at school.
- Personal Statement : This is a chance for you to tell the institution how you can benefit them and their program. Your personal statement isn’t the best place to include a sob story, but rather talk about your achievements and goals.
- Recommendations : If you aren’t given a specific number of recommendations to submit, 3 is a good amount. 2 can be academic references and the other can be someone like a coach, supervisor, etc. When asking someone to write you a letter of recommendation, you should give them at least 2 weeks to complete it, 4 weeks is best. Sharing your personal statement with you reference is very helpful. It is okay for you to coach the writer – you want what they say to match what you are saying.
How can I pay for grad school?
- Every program will have federal aid assistance. Some programs also have scholarships.
- Libraries and local government offices can be great resources for scholarship leads.
- Many employers will pay for a portion of grad school. Look at your employee benefits!
- Some institutions offer graduate assistant/fellowship programs which can cover some, oftentimes all, your tuition. Do you research and apply soon because those spots fill up quickly.
How can I be successful in grad school?
This is not meant to scare you, but graduate school is not like undergrad. There is a higher expectation and level of commitment. Ask your faculty to start holding you to a higher standard now. Be prepared to do a lot of reading and writing. Hold yourself accountable!
