Career Development
Center
  Occidental College
 1600 Campus Road,
Coons 109
 Los Angeles, CA
 90041-3314

 Email: careers@oxy.edu
 Phone: 323.259.2623
 Fax: 323.341.4900

Career Guides to Assist in the Job Search

Guide for Students Considering Graduate or Professional School

It is often difficult to decide whether or not to pursue a graduate degree.  There are many things to consider, and some students are not sure what questions to ask.  We hope that the following information will be helpful in your search.

Why go to Graduate or Professional School?

Some common reasons people choose to attend graduate school are:  

• they are driven by intellectual curiosity

• they want to postpone job hunting and remain in the academic environment

• they want to obtain career entry or advancement in a job

• they want to satisfy others expectations of them

Things to consider when making a decision:  

• Are you confident enough in your decision to make the necessary commitment in time, effort, and resources?  

• Will this advanced degree lead you to where you want to be professionally or personally?  

• How will attending graduate school affect your family or relationships?  

• How will you finance it?  

• Do the programs you are considering require or recommend related experience prior to entry? 

What Degrees are Available?

The following types of degrees are available: Masters Degree (M.S., M.A., M.Ed., M.B.A., M.F.A., M.S.W., etc.)

• Course-type program- students satisfactorily complete a required program of studies.

• Comprehensive exam program- student is required to complete coursework at the end of which an examination must be successfully passed.

• Thesis-type program- in addition to completing       required coursework the student must also submit a thesis (an original piece of research).  

• Proficiency program requirements- Many of the creative disciplines (music, dance, theatre, art) offer programs that require the student to demonstrate proficiency in order to graduate.  

Specialist and Advanced Masters Degree (Ed.S., Adv.M.)  

• Study beyond the master’s degree but less extensive than the doctoral degree.  They are most often offered in education.  

Professional Degrees  (J.D., M.D., D.V.M., Pharm.D., D.D.S., D.M.D, etc.)   

• Professional degrees are awarded upon completion of programs of studies that prepare individuals to enter certain professions.  Though the degree may contain the term doctor, a professional degree is the initial degree awarded in that area.  Higher degrees may be available, including master’s degrees and Ph.D.s.

Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.M., Psy. D., etc.)  

• These are the highest degrees awarded.  In addition to completion of an academic program of studies and a comprehensive examination, the majority require a dissertation, which is a significant work of original research.  

Post-Doctorate  

• These are not really degrees but simply advanced study/research/training in a particular area.   

How Do I Choose A School/Program?

Like any important decision, selecting a graduate program is often complex.  If possible, START EARLY to give yourself a year or more to explore and choose.

Phase I-The initial identification of possible programs  

• Identify programs in your chosen field.

  • Use reference books
    Peterson’s Guides to Graduate Study (several volumes)  
    The Chronicle Four-Year College Databook  
    The Official GRE/CGS Directory of Graduate Programs 

  • Internet sites you may want to check out include: www.jobweb.com/catapult/gguides.htm
    www.petersons.com/graduate
    www.gradschools.com
    www.graduateguide.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/index.html  

  • Your department or academic advisor.

• Gather information about the programs that interest you.  

  • Get copies of the university bulletins/catalogs

  • Contact the departments directly for materials that describe the department, programs, and courses in more detail.  

  • Check out the institutional and departmental web pages.

• How do the programs “rate”?

  • Do some reading in your field.  What are the current issues and who is writing about them?  Are the programs you are considering active in these areas?  

  • Ask your professors and advisors what they know about the programs you are interested in.

  • Consult resources that review/evaluate programs.  In considering these, make sure you check the criteria used for the evaluation and see if it is relevant to your decision.  Many of these resources are available in both print and electronic formats.  Some you might want to consult are: 
    
    The Gourman Reports (several volumes that review programs in different graduate areas)   
    National Research Council Research-Doctorate Program Rankings  
    U.S. News and World Report Graduate School Rankings  

Phase II-To which programs will I apply?

Your initial search should help you identify a manageable number of programs that you want to consider further.  Now it is time to identify the programs to which you intend to apply.  Your satisfaction depends on the compatibility of the department and program with your goals and purposes.  The kind of information you will need to determine this may or may not be in print.  Often a visit to the program is the only way to acquire the information you will need. Consider the following:  

• What is the culture of the program?  Is it research or application centered?  Are the faculty members active in their field and do they involve students in their professional endeavors (research or application)? How do faculty, staff and students get along with one another?  The best way to ascertain answers to questions like these is to visit the program, speak with both faculty and students, sit in on classes, and observe.  

• What is the quality of the program?  Information might include: whether the department is accredited by an appropriate entity, are faculty publishing in your area of interest, are any of the faculty recognized as  members of distinction in their field and how recent graduates are employed.  

• How do your qualifications compare with those who are usually admitted?  In other words, what are your chances of being admitted?  

• Cost of the degree?  How much will the degree cost and what forms of assistance are available?  Are there assistantships, fellowships, or other forms of institutional awards available that would help meet your expenses?  

• Licensure and certification.  If you are seeking to enter a field where licensure or certification is required or desirable, will completion of the program meet the necessary educational requirements?  

• Other features of the program that may be important.  This will depend a lot on your situation, but may include: length of the program, time classes are offered, size of the entering class, actual class size, and if the program requires a comprehensive examination or thesis/dissertation.

How Do I Apply?

After doing your research, you need to select the programs to which you will actually apply.  Most prospective graduate students will apply to several programs, often ranging from the ideal program, through good choices, to a “back-up” program (just in case).  Applications to graduate programs are often complicated, require fees, and have specific deadlines.  You need to begin the application process early in the autumn before you plan to enter your graduate program.

Application Forms and Application Fees  

• Write, call for, or pick up the necessary application materials prior to, or early in, the fall before you plan to begin your graduate studies.

• Complete the application forms exactly as instructed.  Each item is included for a reason and referring the recipient to your resume or vita is not normally appreciated.  

• Submit the application form and all other materials by the deadline and to the proper office. Make certain that the application fee is for the correct amount and in the correct form.  

Admissions Examinations

Most graduate programs require examinations as part of the admission process.

What test should you take?  This depends on the field you plan to enter.  Tests include: 

GMAT       Graduate Management Admission Test.  Most graduate programs in Business.

LSAT        Law School Admission Test.  Law schools.

MCAT       Medical College Admission Test.  Most medical schools.

DAT         Dental Admissions Test.  Most dental schools.

GRE         Graduate Record Examination.  Most other programs.

MAT         Miller Analogies Test.  Used by some graduate schools.

When should you take them?  The answer is early.  Programs require test scores to consider your application.  Scores remain “current” for about five years.  

What Should Be In My Personal Statement?

The personal statement may be requested to assess your interest and motivation in the program or field and also to assess your ability to write clearly and correctly.

Often personal statements include:  

• What is special about you?  

• When or how you became interested in the field?  

• What have you learned from experiences related to the field (employment, volunteer activities, research)?  

• Your career goals?  

• Explanations of gaps or peculiarities in you academic record.  

• If you have overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships.  

• What personal characteristics (integrity, persistence) or special skills (leadership, writing) do you have that would enhance your prospects for success in this program or field?  

• Why you are interested in that particular program?  

• Anything else that you feel makes you a strong applicant.  

Letters of Recommendation

Most graduate and professional programs will require you to obtain letters of recommendation from people in a position to speak to your qualifications.  They may specify the types of recommendations that must be submitted (academic, personal, employment).  Some programs will ask that detailed forms be submitted, others will ask for individualized letters.  

In general you should:  

• Check the program’s requirements for recommendations before asking anyone.  Know the type of recommendations being requested and the format they must follow (form or letter).  

• Ask permission before listing the name of anyone as a reference.  

• Send a written request for the recommendation to each person being asked.  At least two weeks before the due date, provide each with:  

  • A copy of your resume/vita and any other information you feel is relevant,  

  • The form or guidelines that outline exactly what is expected in the recommendation,  

  • The deadline by which the recommendation must be received,  

  • Correctly addressed, stamped envelope.  

• Send a thank you note to each person who takes the time to do this for you.  

How Can I Finance My Degree?

Ideally you should begin your research in your junior year.  This is because many organizations that do have funds will have applications due in the fall for the following year.

Types of awards/assistance available:  

• Fellowships: Prestigious awards, often quite substantial. They are competitive and based on academic achievement.  Do not usually require work.  

• Assistantships: Paid, part-time employment that may include full or partial tuition waiver (often of the out-of-state portion of tuition).  Those with this type of award often teach, conduct research, or work in student affairs.  

• Loans: Low interest loans are available to most graduate students. Contact the institution’s office of financial aid for more information.

• Grants/Scholarships: These are gifts of money.  They may be “free money” Scholarships with no obligation for work or repayment, or they may be for a specific purpose.  Science organizations, for instance, may award a grant for completion of a student research project.

Some financial aid Web sites include:  

• FinAid

• Financial Aid Resource Center  

• Peterson’s Graduate School Guide

Adopted from Gail A. Palo, Scott J. Strausberger And Kathy Barrett, The Career Center • The Florida State University