Considering a Master’s Degree?
What you need to know about
graduate school . . .
Career Services
ome Factors to Consider
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Master’s or Doctorate?
Fit of program
Type of Degree
Type of Institution (next
slide)
• Geographic Preference
• Academic Requirements
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Name Recognition
Assistantships
Costs
Focus - Curriculum
How to Graduates do
in the job market
• Current faculty
recommendation of
programs
The Carnegie Foundation for the
Advancement of Teaching:
Institutional Classifications
Research Universities I
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Baccalaureate Programs
Graduate Programs through doctorate level
Prioritize Research
50+ Doctoral Degrees per year
$40+ Million in federal support
(Research Universities II = $15.5 to $40 Million)
The Admission Application Process
• Organized application
process; quality
materials
• Applicant evaluation
criteria
• Standardized test scores
• GPA and coursework
• Letters of
recommendation
• Transcripts
• Experience and cocurricular activities
• Essays – Critical!!
• Interviews
• Resumes
Q. How many programs should you apply to?
A Timeline for Getting In
Jun-Aug: Start researching schools
Aug-Sept: Work on résumé and have it reviewed; Look at school
program information, contact students/faculty
Oct: Continue researching schools; Prepare for GRE; Make a list of
your search priorities (location, concentration, etc…); Select
reference persons; Attend an Open House or information session
Draft an essay and have it reviewed
Nov: Begin applying to schools; Sign up for GRE/other required
exams; Confirm deadlines for programs; Make personal
contacts at the programs you like
Dec: Finalize your résumé; Continue to prepare for exams;
Review information regarding potential assistantships
Jan: Start sending out résumés/cover letters; Finish sending school
applications; Prepare for interviews (arrange mock interviews)
A Timeline for Getting In
Feb:
Interviews
Identify & apply to assistantships
Mar: Keep communicating with faculty and
staff; Follow-up with thank you notes and express interest
Apr: On-campus interviews;
Last GRE date/deadline quickly approaching
May: On-campus interviews continue for full-time positions;
Programs wrapping-up admissions/assistantship hiring;
Some will have rolling admissions process;
Watch for summer placement exchange conferences
Adapted from J. Schmidt, Central Michigan University