This is a comprehensive guide that is designed to inform students about the process of
applying and getting accepted into graduate school. This guide includes information on
how to choose the right graduate school, which graduate degree to pursue, which
career to choose, information about applications, information about required entrance
exams, and effective interviewing techniques. This document is ideal for graduate
school applicants to learn more information about the process.
Contents
Choosing the Right Graduate School ............................................................. 3
Applying for Entrance .................................................................................... 4
Entrance Exams .............................................................................................. 6
Interviewing Techniques................................................................................. 6
Summary ......................................................................................................... 7
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Choosing the Right Graduate School
Before making a choice about which graduate school
is right for you, ask and answer these three questions:
1. What type of degree do I want to pursue?
2. Where do I want to attend graduate school?
3. What course of instruction do I want to
pursue?
Contemplating these three questions will help you to narrow your options into something
that is more manageable.
Your answers will give you the necessary framework to move forward and make
informed decisions about your continued education.
What type of degree do I want to pursue?
The masters and the doctorate are the two fundamental graduate degrees. Students with
an interest in pursuing medicine or the law may elect to attend professional schools that
specialize in these fields.
The master’s degree is considered to be the more practical of the two because students
learn the philosophy that drives the aspects of the teachings.
The doctorate degree is viewed as more specific and more intellectual because the
teachings delve more into the theory that drives the teachings.
Before pursuing any of these graduate degrees, be sure to give ample consideration to the
differences between the two programs. In order to have a successful outcome, you will
want to be certain that you have chosen the program that best suits your investment of
time and effort.
Where do I want to attend graduate school?
Ask yourself some very candid questions before selecting the location of your graduate
school. Here are some key points to consider:
Are you single, married, or in a committed relationship?
Do you have professional affiliations that need to be considered?
Would moving to another city adversely impact on any of these items?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, the geographical location of your school of
choice will be significantly different from a graduate student who does not have to
consider those factors. The choice that you make regarding the school’s location must be
one that will have a minimal impact on your ability to fully commit yourself to the
coursework that you are about to undertake. Many graduate programs are now offered on
line.
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What course of instruction do I want to pursue?
Ask yourself … ‘is there a particular segment within the field that interests me more than
others’?
Students take graduate coursework in order to become experts within a
particular aspect of their chosen field. Understanding the general
aspects of the entire field of study will help when choosing a program
that is best suited for you.
Applying for Entrance
You should begin processing admission into graduate school during your
senior year. The following timeline outlines the tasks to be performed;
and details what you will need to take care of in order gain admittance
into your graduate school of choice.
S um m er/ S ept em ber
1. Take one of these standardized tests for