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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
How to Prepare for Grad School
Presented by Dr. Cheryl Love Career Counselor(909) 869-4605 & [email protected]
www dsa cpp edu/career
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Why go to Grad School?
• Have clearly defined professional goals for graduate school
• Graduate School is notdesigned to help you “discover yourself”
Know why you are going, otherwise you’ll struggle.
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Master’s vs. Doctorate
Master’s:• 1-3 years• Less competitive application process
– Typically no Interview • Little focus on research (thesis)• Sufficient for your career goalDoctorate:• 3-8 years• Highly competitive application process
– Interview• Emphasis on research (dissertation)• Higher earnings
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Search for Graduate Schools
• Online resources:– www.petersons.com– www.princetonreview.com– www.gradschool.com– http://www.cpp.edu/~academic/graduatestudies/
• Education Rankings Annual- US News and World Report:http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
The Application ProcessTypically admissions committees base their
decisions on the following factors:• Standardized Test Scores (GRE, LSAT, GMAT)• Grade Point Average (GPA)• Transcripts• Statement of purpose• Letters of recommendation• Previous work and research experience• Curricular activities• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Test Scores
• They matter but they are not everything.• Prepare for these tests with:
– Prep Courses (Kaplan, Princeton Review, Test Prep)
– Prep guides– Be aware of grad school deadlines– Sample tests: www.gre.org,
www.demo.princetonreview.com
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
The Personal Statement
• 1-10 page paper highlighting why you have chosen to study that certain field and what makes you a good candidate.
• Have proofread by Career Counselor or Professor in that field of study.
• Can improve your overall package if you have low GPA or test scores.
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Letters of Recommendation
• 2-3 letters of recommendation– Usually 1-2 from Professors who you took a
course from– One professional reference– One research reference (for doctoral programs)
• Quality letters– From people who know you well and will write
something positive. – Ask for a copy before they send it.
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Transcripts & Test Scores
• Order transcripts from your current school early, so that they will be received near the same time as your application
• Check to see if transcripts can be mailed immediately after fall term grades are recorded
• Order test scores to be sent to each school (if you did not do so at the time of the exam)
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Important “To-Do’s”
Deadlines! Deadlines! Deadlines!• Check with each University about their
deadlines.• Typical deadlines:
– Nov. 1st and 15th, Dec. 1st and 15th, and Jan. and Feb. 1st
– Rolling admission (year-round admission)
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Funding for Grad School
• Grants are FREE MONEY!!!– You don't have to work or repay the funds– Fellowships and Scholarships are the most common
• Loans are also available– Federal Loans: http://studentaid.ed.gov/– Submit FAFSA after Jan 1st and before Mar 2nd
• Professional Development• Assistantships (Teaching, Research, Graduate)
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Career CenterCal Poly Pomona
Contacting Faculty & Arrange Campus Visits
• E-mail Faculty whose research interests match yours
• Make appointments to meet with Faculty and current Students in the department
• Gather information about the community and location of the school