Resources Available in the Career Planning and Placement Office
The decision to attend a graduate or a professional school program after completing your degree from King’s College will require an investment of time and energy to examine your career goals, research academic programs and complete the applications process. For a number of graduates, professional school will be required for entrance into the career field of choice such as medicine or law. For others the advantages of graduate of professional school may be less clear. Because of the amount of time involved in pursuing graduate education it is best to begin this process early. Some steps can be taken in your freshman and sophomore years although most will occur in your junior and senior year. The following tips can help you decide if extended education is the best choice for your situation. This handout will also provide valuable information on how to research and apply to schools of your choice.
Willingness To Make The Commitment. Graduate education will require intense devotion to your academic field of study and will likely involve research, a thesis or dissertation, or internships. It is important to evaluate your commitment of time, money and energy before you begin the application process.
Necessity of Completing an Advanced Degree Program. If your career of choice requires a professional degree then by all means apply. In some fields such as psychology and the sciences, an advanced degree will be a definite advantage. In other fields a graduate degree may prove a disadvantage in attaining your first entry level position-fields such as elementary or secondary education in certain regions of the country. Be sure to investigate the advantages/disadvantages of achieving an advanced degree in your field of study.
Feasibility. When considering graduate education it is important to honestly assess your chances of admission into a program. Is your GPA high enough to gain admission? Are your scores on the entrance tests required for your field high enough to warrant admission? Do you have the financial resources to pay for graduate education? To answer these questions consider taking the Kaplan’s practice tests offered each fall and use the resources in the Career Planning and Placement Office Resource Center to investigate requirements of individual graduate and professional school programs as well as sources of financial aid.
Once you have made the choice to attend graduate or professional school, you will need to select institutions to which you will apply. A listing of resources available in the Career Planning and Placement Office is included in this handout. You will also want to speak with your faculty, advisors and graduates who have attended the same institutions. Academic programs/institutions are also ranked by U.S. News and World Report available on the Web at http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/rankindex.htm.
In Evaluating Graduate Schools consider:
Once you have narrowed your list down use 3 categories to rank: "reach" schools – those that will be a stretch for admission, "possible" schools that you have a fairly good chance for admission and "safe" schools where you are fairly certain about admission. Apply to at least two schools from each category.
1. Application and Fee. The first step is to contact schools for applications. You can do so by calling, writing or sending e-mail to request application materials. Also request a catalog and information on financial aid. Submit your application as early as possible. Your acceptance will be based on your application, your recommendations, scores on entrance exams, undergraduate GPA and your application essay.
2. Admission Test. You will take the appropriate admission test in your junior year or the fall of your senior year. Pick up a review book, take practice tests and prepare yourself well. Sample test preparation books are available in the Career Planning and Placement Office. GRE and GMAT preparation are also available by computer in Career Services.
Required tests include the:
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Most general graduate schools such as psychology science and the humanities require the General Test and many require the Subject Test. The General Test contains a verbal, quantitative and analytical section. The Subject Test measures knowledge of a particular subject matter. The General and Subject Test can be taken on the same day or on different days. Try to take them on different days if at all possible.
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): The GMAT is required for most students seeking on MBA degree. The 4 hour test measures general verbal and mathematical skills.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT): The LSAT is designed to measure abilities needed for the study of law and to assist law schools in evaluating applicants. The use of the LSDAS service is highly recommended as it assembles, in one report, all of the information required of the applicants by most law schools.
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT): The MCAT measures the applicants abilities in chemistry, physics, biology, reading and quantitative and analytical skills. Applicants are encouraged to take the MCAT 18 months before entering medical school. You will also want to register for the American Medical Application Service. Applications are available on line at www.aamc.org
Miller Analogy Test (MAT): The MAT uses verbal analogies to test reasoning ability. Some graduate schools will accept the MAT in lieu of the GRE. Information is available in the Career Planning and Placement Office on local contacts for the MAT.
3. Recommendations. Request recommendations far in advance of the application deadline. Most schools will require 3 to 4 letters of recommendation, typically from professors in your field of study. Recommendations should be from people who know you well and are able to judge your qualifications for attending graduate school. It is helpful to give reference writers information on your background such as a resume or a copy of your personal statement.
4. Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose Essay. This requirement allows you to state your reasons for applying to graduate school and your career goals. Plan to develop several drafts as you refine your essay to its final form. The opening paragraph should capture the reader’s attention. The total essay will provide evidence of your strengths and qualifications, your long term goals and information on what you have to offer to the program. An average essay is approximately 500 words and should be carefully checked and rechecked for any errors in grammar or spelling. For more information on writing a personal statement refer to How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School, Richard J. Stetzer, Peterson’s Guide, available in the Career Planning and Placement Office Graduate School Library.
5. Interview. You may be required to interview for admission into some graduate and professional school programs. The interview is most often required in applying for medical, dental or veterinary school. Handouts are available in the Career Planning and Placement Office on typical interview questions. Take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a practice interview by contacting the Career Planning and Placement Office to schedule an appointment for a mock video.
6. Other. A number of professional school programs may have additional requirements to those listed above. These can include a resume and/or a portfolio with samples of your work particularly if you are in a creative field. Materials and assistance are available in the Career Planning and Placement Office for developing your resume. Attend a workshop, pick up handouts and have your resume reviewed by a career professional. A portfolio should be developed in consultation with faculty members.
The decision to pursue graduate or professional school education is a major life choice that can provide a high level of personal and career satisfaction. Begin the process early and take advantage of the resources and support offered by the faculty of King’s College and the Office of Career Planning and Placement to guarantee successful completion of a graduate education.
Junior Year, Fall and Spring
Attend a graduate school workshop to become familiar with application procedures
Research areas of interest, institutions, and programs by using directories and catalogs available in the
Office of Career Planning and Placement
Talk to advisors about
application requirements
Take the Kaplan’s practice test in the fall or use Powerprep in the
Career Planning and Placement Office to evaluate your skills in taking required admissions tests
If applying to Med School, register for the April MCAT test
Investigate national scholarships
If appropriate, obtain letters of recommendation
Junior Year, Summer
Take required graduate admission test if offered
Visit institutions of interest if possible
Write draft of application essay
Check on application deadlines and rolling admission policies for medical, dental, osteopathy, podiatry, or law school. You may need to register for the national application, or data assembly service most programs use
Research sources of financial aid and scholarships
Senior Year, Fall
Request official copies of your transcript for each application packet
Write for application materials
Obtain letter of recommendation
Take graduate admission test if you haven’t already
Send in completed applications even if deadlines do not occur until the spring
Complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid form (FAFSA) to apply for federally funded loans and
scholarships
Finalize application essay. Be sure to have it reviewed by a faculty member and/or
career professional
Senior Year, Spring
Check with all institutions before the deadline to make sure your file is complete
Visit institutions that accept you
Send deposit to institution of choice
Notify other colleges and universities that accept you of your decision so that they may admit students on their waiting list
Send thank-you notes to people who wrote your recommendation letters, informing them of your success
Notify the Career Planning and Placement Office of your acceptance
Adapted from Peterson’s Annual Guide to Graduate School, Book 1, Graduate and Professional Programs: An Overview 1997.
Any questions or comments about this Web Page can be directed to Christopher Sutzko, Director of the Office Career Planning and Placement
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