1	Is a graduate degree for me? Maria Teresa Velez, Ph.D. Associate Dean Graduate College University of Arizona mvelez@grad.arizona.edu
2	You might need to go to Graduate School if
3	You want…. Higher earnings Greater economic security Greater upward mobility Greater ability to make a difference Greater work variety, more independence Greater ability to change employers Personal satisfaction!
4	Higher Earnings Life Time Earnings, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, May 20, 2005 Less than 9^th grade………………………….$976,350 High school dropout……………………….1,150,698 H.S. graduate………………………………1,455,253 BA/BS……………………………………..2,567,174 MA/MS……………………………………3,963,076 Professional………………………………..5,254,193
5	Greater Job Security Unemployment Rate in 2003, Bureau of the Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics Professional…………………………………………..1.7% Ph.D…………………………………………………..2.1 Master’s………………………………………………2.9 Bachelor’s…………………………………………….3.3 Associate degree……………………………………...4.0 Some college, no degree……………………………...5.2 High School graduate…………………………………5.5 Less than high school…………………………………8.4
6	Graduate School Basics Different universities offer different programs or have different names for similar programs. Programs differ in terms of requirements, competitiveness, deadlines. If you are going to invest in a graduate degree, go to the best graduate program you can. Most programs are ONLY full-time. Few courses taught after 4 PM, some on week-ends. Very few programs are mostly online.
7	What are graduate programs looking for? Fit between your goals and their program Quality of your undergraduate institution Appropriate undergraduate preparation Grades (minimum of 3.0 in last 60 units of undergraduate work) and evidence of ability to do graduate level work GRE or GMAT scores Ability to communicate verbally and in writing Motivation and commitment to field Research experience Work experience or exposure Maturity, initiative, logic, integrity, determination
8	Options Master’s degrees: Typically at least 30 credit hours. Thesis/non-thesis options If you want to teach in community college, advance within the organization, train in a professional area, e.g., MPA, MBA, MSW, MPS, MEng, Nurse Practitioner, Library Science, School Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, lab manager. Doctoral degrees: Typically 65 credit hours including dissertation. If you want to do research, become an academic, required in some professions, e.g., Clinical Psychology Graduate certificates: Typically 9-18 credit hours. If you want new or stronger skills in complementary area. Non-degree status: Great way to pick up a course, demonstrate ability to do graduate work, increase GPA, or test the waters.
9	Financial Aid Federal aid (loans) for full-time, domestic students National Fellowships NSF EPA NIH Ford Private aid: foundations, donor scholarships Institutional aid, mostly for full-time study Teaching and Research Assistantships Some fellowships Tuition scholarships Don’t be afraid to ask!!!
10	How to find a graduate program Web Ask your professors Brochures, catalogs, professional guide books Contact the Graduate Coordinator Contact the Graduate Advisor Email professors you are interested in doing research with Ask if you can talk to grad students in the program Visit (but make appointment first)
11	What do I need to know ? Carnegie classification of university: Doctoral/Research-Extensive or Intensive Master’s I and II Specialized institutes: art, music, design, business, teacher’s nursing, pharmacy, podiatry, chiropractic, dentistry, theological seminaries Is the university or college accredited by a regional accreditation association? Is the program accredited by the appropriate professional association? Program’s national rankings Who are the faculty? What are their credentials? What courses are required? Do they fit your needs? The same major at different universities may have very different curricula. Graduation data Placement data
12	Consider environment Am I a city person or like small towns? Weather? Seasons? Heat? Snow? Gray skies? Rainy? Family or relationship issues: job for partner? close to home? Do I have friends already there? Amenities according to my life-style Ethnic diversity International community?
13	How do I apply? Usually you must apply to the Graduate College and the specific graduate program Usually required: Copy of transcripts from all undergraduate schools attended GRE General Test, GMAT or Miller’s Analogies scores Sometimes GRE Subject’s Test A Statement of Purpose Curriculum vita 3 academic letters of recommendation Application fee Sometimes a personal or phone interview
14	The GRE www.gre.org Given year-round at testing centers Computerized Three parts: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical You receive scores for first two tests immediately: Maximum of 800 and 6. Good is 550+ and 4.5-5 in Analytical. Scoring in the 70^th percentile Subject tests given in November and April Study and take GRE Prep class
15	The Statement of Purpose: Who you are. Short personal history including challenges, influential people or events, skills, motivation. How did you first become interested in the general area? Why do you want to pursue this particular program? Explain gaps or discrepancies in academic record What are your short-term and long-term career goals? If selected, who on the faculty do you want to work with, why? Read their books/articles, know their work. Overall evidence of suitability for this program and career Use specifics, stay away from cliches, check grammar and spelling, adhere to work limits & format restrictions.
16	Letters of Recommendation From faculty or people who can evaluate your academic performance. In the case of master’s, one letter may be from someone who knows your work performance. Prepare recommenders: give them your vita, statement of purpose, clear addresses of programs you are applying to. Remind recommenders of deadlines
17	Curriculum vita Education Employment History Awards, honors Undergraduate research Internships Posters, presentations, publications Work experience, volunteer work Evidence of exposure to the field
18	Overall quality of application Why choose me? What’s special, distinctive or impressive about me? Put yourself in the shoes of faculty evaluating your application What details will help the committee better understand me and set me apart from the other candidates What does the look of the application say about me?
19	If interviewed….. Dress appropriately, e.g., casual in the sciences, professional for business programs, comfortable, neat and tidy. Listen attentively, look at people in the eyes, speak clearly Ask pertinent but not shallow questions Watch your non-verbals: no chewing gum, picking at clothes, rocking in your chair Don’t act goofy or arrogant at ANY time
20	How to finally choose Most important is fit between you and professors, university and environment If doctorate, make sure that there is more than one professor in your area of interest Money is important but not paramount Between two equal choices, choose the most prestigious university