GRADUATE SCHOOL

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Katie StoneDirector of Graduate RecruitmentBoise State University

Why go to Graduate school in the first

place?

Personal Reasons

• Seeking knowledge• You just like to learn!

• Personal fulfillment• Career advancement or

change

Practical Reasons

• More opportunities• Career Mobility• More income over your

lifetime

Will you really make more money?

Reasons to go to graduate school that

are not as good...

• You don’t want to get a job• You don’t know what else to do

with your life, so you might as well.

• Because being a student is fun!

You want to go to graduate school, but

when is the right time?

Direct to Graduate School:

Pros:• You’re still in the routine• Fewer outside commitments• Many entry level positions now require or

prefer advanced degreesCons:• You just need a break!• You are unsure what degree you would like

to pursue• You’d like to earn some money to prevent

added debt.

Taking a few years off:

Pros:• You have a better perspective• You have more life experience and more

drive to succeed• Some employers will pay your tuition• You can earn money first, and come out with

less debtCons:• You have to re-learn how to be a student• You have other priorities in your life that

make going to school harder• You may have to quit your job to return to

school

So you’ve decided now is the right time!

Now what?

Types of Programs:

• Masters

• Doctorate

• Professional

Masters programs (typically take 1-2 years to complete)M.A. (Master of Arts) M.S. (Master of Science) M.Ed. (Master of Education)M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration)M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) M.P.A (Master of Public Administration)

Doctoral programs (Can take 5-8 years to complete)Ed.D. (Doctorate of Education)Ph.D. (Doctorate of Philosophy)

Professional programs (vary in completion time)J.D. (Doctor of Jurisprudence)M.D. (Doctor of Medicine)

How do you get into graduate school?

• Grades• Good scores on entrance exams• Solid personal statement• Letters of recommendation• Undergraduate research or

activities

Personal Statement:• Take it seriously! It May be a programs first

impression of you!• Why do you want a graduate degree, and why do

you want it from that school?• Talk about the professors with whom you would

like to work• Point out strengths and explain weaknesses

Entrance Exams:• GRE-Graduate Record Examination• LSAT-Law School Admission Test• MCAT-Medical College Admission Test• GMAT-Graduate Management Admission Test• PCAT-Pharmacy College Admission Test• DAT-Dental Admission Test

Letters of Recommendation• These can be as important as your grades or

admission exam scores• Use professors if possible• Pick people who-

• Know you well• Who you feel can write a strong letter

How to ask for letters:• Ask in person• Give them at least three weeks• Provide the following information

• Clear instructions on how to submit the letter• If they submit by mail, provide an addressed, stamped

envelope• A resume• A copy of your personal statement• Deadlines

How do you know where to apply?• Location• Finances• Reputation

• Quality of the faculty• Research opportunities• Program requirements• Placement record

Narrowing down your choices• Visit the website and social

media pages• Understand the curriculum• Contact the faculty with whom

you would like to work• Visit!• Trust your gut feeling

When should you begin?• As soon as you can!• Know your deadlines• Give yourself time to research

and visit• Don’t Panic!

Sophomore & Junior Years• Concentrate on your grades• Start getting experience• Get to know your professors• Find resources• Determine what excites you• Begin researching schools

Summer before your Senor year • Determine your top schools• Start working on your personal

statement• Take some practice entrance

exams• Determine who you ask to be

references

Senior Year: First Semester• Take entrance exams• Know your deadlines!• Finalize your resume • Talk to references• Apply!• Contact schools to make sure

your application was complete

You’re already a Senior?

You’ve already graduated?

No Problem!

Congratulations! You were accepted!

Now what?

Paying for school

• Scholarships• Loans• Grants• Fellowships• Work-Study• Assistantships (Teaching and

Research)• Employer Reimbursement

Assistantships

Teaching• Help teach a course or lead a

lab class• Up to 20 hours a week• During the school yearResearch• May be part of a grant• Might be connected with a

thesis/dissertation

What else?

• Visit campus!

• Talk to current graduate students

• Make a pro/con list

• Make your choice!

Opportunities at Boise StateArts and Sciences: 22 Masters, 2 DoctoralBusiness and Economics: 4 MastersEducation: 22 Masters, 2 DoctoralEngineering: 13 Masters, 2 DoctoralHealth Sciences: 3 MastersSocial Sciences and Public Affairs: 9 MastersInterdisciplinary Programs: 4 Masters, 2 Doctoral

Be Optimistic!

• You will get into a program!

• You will find your best option.

Questions?