Aug
29
How to be a Graduate School Superstar
Filed Under grad school | Comments Off
Elizabeth Saas asked:
Graduate School Superstars Are Deeply Invested In Their Graduate School Experience
The key to being a graduate school superstar is involvement. Many people who pursue graduate degrees do not have the luxury of making school their sole focus, so the temptation can be great to stick to the essentials of getting your graduate degree rather than taking advantage of all that your graduate program offers. While it’s true that the demands of post-baccalaureate life are indeed a challenge, not engaging in your graduate program to the fullest extent you can would be a mistake. Regardless of what graduate program you are participating in, much of the graduate school experience takes place beyond the world of classrooms and assignments. Do well in these areas, of course, but also expand your definition of education while in grad school to include as many extracurricular options as you reasonably can. You will probably only go to graduate school this one time — make the most of it.
The Basics: Attendance, Homework, and Class Participation
Some things about school never change, regardless of what level of degree you’re pursuing. The basic requirements of a graduate school superstar include excellent attendance at all of your class meetings. Just like undergrad, your professors probably won’t call you out if you skip class, but just like undergrad, if you don’t go to class, you’re only cheating yourself. To get the most out of your classes, become an expert in time management and make sure you’re well prepared for every meeting. Let your professor know you’re a graduate school superstar by actively participating in every class meeting, too.
Beyond The Basics: Extracurricular Events and Networking
Regardless of what advanced degree you’re pursuing, your graduate program will undoubtedly offer lectures, programs, performances (whatever is applicable to your field), etc., that are optional. Even if you are maintaining a job while you’re getting your master’s or Ph.D., do your best to attend some if not all of these. In addition to attending the scheduled events, graduate school superstars should make every effort to get to know their classmates outside the classroom as well. If you’re pursuing your degree for professional advancement, you might be sitting next to your future coworkers. By getting to know the people with whom you’re studying, you could make important connections that will help you once you take your new degree out into the marketplace. And if you’re pursuing a degree for personal enrichment, what better way is there to deepen your enjoyment and engagement in the field of your choice than by getting to know the people who love it as much as you do and developing a community for yourself that will last perhaps a lifetime?
Hector
Graduate School Superstars Are Deeply Invested In Their Graduate School Experience
The key to being a graduate school superstar is involvement. Many people who pursue graduate degrees do not have the luxury of making school their sole focus, so the temptation can be great to stick to the essentials of getting your graduate degree rather than taking advantage of all that your graduate program offers. While it’s true that the demands of post-baccalaureate life are indeed a challenge, not engaging in your graduate program to the fullest extent you can would be a mistake. Regardless of what graduate program you are participating in, much of the graduate school experience takes place beyond the world of classrooms and assignments. Do well in these areas, of course, but also expand your definition of education while in grad school to include as many extracurricular options as you reasonably can. You will probably only go to graduate school this one time — make the most of it.
The Basics: Attendance, Homework, and Class Participation
Some things about school never change, regardless of what level of degree you’re pursuing. The basic requirements of a graduate school superstar include excellent attendance at all of your class meetings. Just like undergrad, your professors probably won’t call you out if you skip class, but just like undergrad, if you don’t go to class, you’re only cheating yourself. To get the most out of your classes, become an expert in time management and make sure you’re well prepared for every meeting. Let your professor know you’re a graduate school superstar by actively participating in every class meeting, too.
Beyond The Basics: Extracurricular Events and Networking
Regardless of what advanced degree you’re pursuing, your graduate program will undoubtedly offer lectures, programs, performances (whatever is applicable to your field), etc., that are optional. Even if you are maintaining a job while you’re getting your master’s or Ph.D., do your best to attend some if not all of these. In addition to attending the scheduled events, graduate school superstars should make every effort to get to know their classmates outside the classroom as well. If you’re pursuing your degree for professional advancement, you might be sitting next to your future coworkers. By getting to know the people with whom you’re studying, you could make important connections that will help you once you take your new degree out into the marketplace. And if you’re pursuing a degree for personal enrichment, what better way is there to deepen your enjoyment and engagement in the field of your choice than by getting to know the people who love it as much as you do and developing a community for yourself that will last perhaps a lifetime?
Hector
Aug
28
How To Write A Personal Statement For Graduate School
Filed Under grad school | Comments Off
Jason Kay asked:
A personal statement is a crucial part of your graduate school application, but writing it can also be one of the most stressful things on your to-do list. Many students do not consider writing to be their strong suit, and matters are only made worse due to the intense importance of this particular essay.
It may help many students to remember what the purpose of the personal statement is. The grad school admissions board uses it to determine two things:
Whether you will be an asset to the graduate program
Whether you will be an asset to the school itself
Graduate schools are typically judged by the performance of their students. As a result, no school wants to admit a student who will be a black mark on its record. Your personal statement’s purpose, therefore, is to convince the admissions board that:
You are deeply motivated to learn about (and excel in) your chosen area of study
You are a capable student who will perform well in your studies
In order to accomplish these tasks, there are several points that almost every personal statement must cover (unless, of course, asked to do differently by the admissions board itself). You also have the challenge of trying to make your personal statement stand out from the hundreds of other applicants, who will all be saying basically the same thing.
For more information on how to write a winning personal statement, follow the guidelines below.
What Should a Personal Statement Include?
Not every personal statement should look the same. Different graduate schools have different expectations of what you should include in your personal statement. First and foremost, your responsibility is to make sure your essay answers the questions asked.
In general, though, most personal statements should include five things:
Area of study - This should be a given, but you would be amazed by how many students focus so much on answering other questions that they forget to state which program they are interested in. Don’t leave your reader to figure it out by deduction - make sure your chosen area of study is clearly stated in your personal statement.
Your interest in the subject - By discussing the basis for your interest in the subject, your personal statement will prove you have a genuine interest in your chosen area of study. However, don’t simply say, “I have always wanted to be a ______.” Instead, use a personal experience to show - rather than tell - what drives your interest.
Related experience - Graduate schools also look at your experience in the field in order to determine your interest level. For example, if you are pursuing a graduate degree in psychology, the admissions committee will expect you to see some combination of related courses, research work, internships, volunteer work, membership in related organizations, and/or other extracurricular activities.
Your interest in the school - Many people choose a graduate school because it has a program that interests them. This should go into your personal statement. However, make sure you go beyond general flattery - the committee will want to see that you have actually researched the program. For instance, if you admire the work of a professor who teaches in the program, mention this and discuss why you would like the opportunity to study under him or her.
Post-graduation plans - In order to choose the graduate program that is right for you, you should have a general idea of what you will do with your degree. Be sure to convey your career goals in your personal statement, as this proves that you have given some serious thought to your future, and therefore are more likely to finish the program.
How Do I Make My Personal Statement Stand Out from All the Rest?
Once you have outlined how you are going to answer the question or cover the five points listed above, you need to figure out how you will make your personal statement memorable. Remember, there are most likely hundreds of other applicants, all of whom will say more or less the same thing. Here are a few ways to make sure your stand out from the crowd.
Make it personal. A successful personal statement should not read like a description of your resume. Instead, use stories and examples from your life to illustrate why you became interested in your chosen area of study, and your experiences as you have pursued it thus far.
Make it organized. A personal statement is not a term paper, but it should still be well organized. Make sure your sentences flow well from one paragraph to the next.
Make it between one and three pages. Like a resume, it is hard to say how long a personal statement should be. Some admissions boards may only ask one question to be answered, allowing your personal statement to be as short as 250 words. On the other hand, more complex answers may require as many 750 words.
Have a theme or thesis. Like any other personal essay, your personal statement should have a unifying theme. The anecdotes you use to illustrate the above five topics or answer the admission board’s question should also support your theme.
Maintain a professional tone. As a graduate, you are no longer just a student - you are also a professional in your field. Your personal statement should reflect your professionalism and dedication to your studies.
Gear it toward the specific school. While you may be able to reuse certain sections of your personal statement for other schools, sending out the same essay to every school is a major faux pas. For one thing, many schools differ in their requirements: They may impose a different maximum or minimum length, or ask that different questions be answered. Make sure that your personal statement is written for the specific requirements of the school you are applying to.
Proofread your work. Nothing will turn an admissions board off faster than sloppy writing. If you are going to convince them that your graduate degree is one of your top priorities, then your personal statement should reflect your level of dedication. Take the time to perfect your work, eliminating typos and grammatical errors as well as fine-tuning the overall message.
Writing a Winning Personal Statement
While it’s true that there is a lot riding on your personal statement, this does not mean that it needs to be difficult to write. By understanding the purpose of the exercise, making sure that it concisely yet thoroughly covers the necessary information, and minding details such as organization and grammar, anyone can write a winning personal statement.
Sara
A personal statement is a crucial part of your graduate school application, but writing it can also be one of the most stressful things on your to-do list. Many students do not consider writing to be their strong suit, and matters are only made worse due to the intense importance of this particular essay.
It may help many students to remember what the purpose of the personal statement is. The grad school admissions board uses it to determine two things:
Whether you will be an asset to the graduate program
Whether you will be an asset to the school itself
Graduate schools are typically judged by the performance of their students. As a result, no school wants to admit a student who will be a black mark on its record. Your personal statement’s purpose, therefore, is to convince the admissions board that:
You are deeply motivated to learn about (and excel in) your chosen area of study
You are a capable student who will perform well in your studies
In order to accomplish these tasks, there are several points that almost every personal statement must cover (unless, of course, asked to do differently by the admissions board itself). You also have the challenge of trying to make your personal statement stand out from the hundreds of other applicants, who will all be saying basically the same thing.
For more information on how to write a winning personal statement, follow the guidelines below.
What Should a Personal Statement Include?
Not every personal statement should look the same. Different graduate schools have different expectations of what you should include in your personal statement. First and foremost, your responsibility is to make sure your essay answers the questions asked.
In general, though, most personal statements should include five things:
Area of study - This should be a given, but you would be amazed by how many students focus so much on answering other questions that they forget to state which program they are interested in. Don’t leave your reader to figure it out by deduction - make sure your chosen area of study is clearly stated in your personal statement.
Your interest in the subject - By discussing the basis for your interest in the subject, your personal statement will prove you have a genuine interest in your chosen area of study. However, don’t simply say, “I have always wanted to be a ______.” Instead, use a personal experience to show - rather than tell - what drives your interest.
Related experience - Graduate schools also look at your experience in the field in order to determine your interest level. For example, if you are pursuing a graduate degree in psychology, the admissions committee will expect you to see some combination of related courses, research work, internships, volunteer work, membership in related organizations, and/or other extracurricular activities.
Your interest in the school - Many people choose a graduate school because it has a program that interests them. This should go into your personal statement. However, make sure you go beyond general flattery - the committee will want to see that you have actually researched the program. For instance, if you admire the work of a professor who teaches in the program, mention this and discuss why you would like the opportunity to study under him or her.
Post-graduation plans - In order to choose the graduate program that is right for you, you should have a general idea of what you will do with your degree. Be sure to convey your career goals in your personal statement, as this proves that you have given some serious thought to your future, and therefore are more likely to finish the program.
How Do I Make My Personal Statement Stand Out from All the Rest?
Once you have outlined how you are going to answer the question or cover the five points listed above, you need to figure out how you will make your personal statement memorable. Remember, there are most likely hundreds of other applicants, all of whom will say more or less the same thing. Here are a few ways to make sure your stand out from the crowd.
Make it personal. A successful personal statement should not read like a description of your resume. Instead, use stories and examples from your life to illustrate why you became interested in your chosen area of study, and your experiences as you have pursued it thus far.
Make it organized. A personal statement is not a term paper, but it should still be well organized. Make sure your sentences flow well from one paragraph to the next.
Make it between one and three pages. Like a resume, it is hard to say how long a personal statement should be. Some admissions boards may only ask one question to be answered, allowing your personal statement to be as short as 250 words. On the other hand, more complex answers may require as many 750 words.
Have a theme or thesis. Like any other personal essay, your personal statement should have a unifying theme. The anecdotes you use to illustrate the above five topics or answer the admission board’s question should also support your theme.
Maintain a professional tone. As a graduate, you are no longer just a student - you are also a professional in your field. Your personal statement should reflect your professionalism and dedication to your studies.
Gear it toward the specific school. While you may be able to reuse certain sections of your personal statement for other schools, sending out the same essay to every school is a major faux pas. For one thing, many schools differ in their requirements: They may impose a different maximum or minimum length, or ask that different questions be answered. Make sure that your personal statement is written for the specific requirements of the school you are applying to.
Proofread your work. Nothing will turn an admissions board off faster than sloppy writing. If you are going to convince them that your graduate degree is one of your top priorities, then your personal statement should reflect your level of dedication. Take the time to perfect your work, eliminating typos and grammatical errors as well as fine-tuning the overall message.
Writing a Winning Personal Statement
While it’s true that there is a lot riding on your personal statement, this does not mean that it needs to be difficult to write. By understanding the purpose of the exercise, making sure that it concisely yet thoroughly covers the necessary information, and minding details such as organization and grammar, anyone can write a winning personal statement.
Sara
Aug
26
Philip Dru asked:
In 2006, I earned an undergrad in Paralegal Studies and having been employed as a Paralegal since then. I have come to realize that this is not what i want to do with the rest of my life. I want to go to graduate school but only for something that will greatly increase my earning potential (not just to have the diploma). What is the best field i can transition to given my legal background?
Gina
In 2006, I earned an undergrad in Paralegal Studies and having been employed as a Paralegal since then. I have come to realize that this is not what i want to do with the rest of my life. I want to go to graduate school but only for something that will greatly increase my earning potential (not just to have the diploma). What is the best field i can transition to given my legal background?
Gina
Aug
23
What percentage of Medical School students drink alcohol? Same question for Law school, and Graduate school?
Filed Under grad school | 1 Comment
Ujyathica asked:
What percentage of Medical School students drink alcohol? Same question for Law school, and Graduate school?
Kelly
What percentage of Medical School students drink alcohol? Same question for Law school, and Graduate school?
Kelly
Aug
18
Online Graduate Schools - 5 Reasons Why you Should Attend One
Filed Under grad school | Comments Off
Kristie Lorette asked:
Online graduate schools are becoming increasingly popular, as people want to earn their degrees, but just can’t find the spare time to do it. More and more colleges and universities are offering distance learning programs to make it more convenient for students to take their classes and earn their degree online. Online graduate schools make it more convenient for students to earn their degrees without ever having to step foot on a college campus. With less free time and the convenience of earning graduate degrees online, more and more students are turning to an alternative to the traditional on-campus degree programs.
Students who wish to attend graduate school online will need to have access to a computer that is hooked up to the Internet. Online programs allow students to interact with their teachers in an online format either by email, online discussion groups or chat rooms. Students either receive their assignments via email or in an online forum that the teacher sets up for students to access their assignments. Online graduate programs are great for students who are self-motivated and do not need the interaction with professors and peers to get through their classes. Online programs also allow students to work at their own pace, at least to some degree. Once an assignment has been completed, students can move on to the next assignment. Online graduate programs are flexible so that students can sign-on to their computers at a time that is convenient for them.
5 Reasons to Attend Graduate School Online:
1. Flexibility — Online graduate programs are more flexible than on-campus programs. While on-campus programs require students to attend classes on a schedule, online graduate programs allow students to crate their own schedule. Since students do not have to physically be in a classroom, they can “attend class” anywhere that they like such as at home, in their office, or on vacation (as long as they have access to a computer that is hooked up to the Internet).
2. Fits into schedule — Many graduate students continue to work their full-time jobs while earning their degree. Instead of having to fit the class schedule of an on-campus program into their work and family life, they can work on their online graduate classes around their work and home life.
3. Study at own pace — Since online graduate schools have assignments and lessons posted online for students to access, once an assignment has been completed, students can move on to the next assignment. There are no other students or glitches to hold you back once you have successfully completed your task.
4. Never have to step foot in a classroom - With an online graduate program, there are no commute times or parking problems because students never have to step foot inside of an actual classroom. Class meetings and lessons are completed virtually, so students can “attend” class without ever having to leave their home or office.
5. Convenience — Attending graduate school online is convenient for students. Since everything is provided online via email or online posts, there are no inconveniences that go along with an on-campus program. Students may not even have to go to a bookstore to buy there textbooks because they can order them online and have them shipped right to their door.
These are just 5 reasons why students should consider attending an online graduate program versus an on-campus program. While an online graduate program is not right for everyone, it is becoming a more popular way to earn a graduate degree because it meets the needs of students who continuously run short on time to fit in going to an on-campus graduate program.
Esther
Online graduate schools are becoming increasingly popular, as people want to earn their degrees, but just can’t find the spare time to do it. More and more colleges and universities are offering distance learning programs to make it more convenient for students to take their classes and earn their degree online. Online graduate schools make it more convenient for students to earn their degrees without ever having to step foot on a college campus. With less free time and the convenience of earning graduate degrees online, more and more students are turning to an alternative to the traditional on-campus degree programs.
Students who wish to attend graduate school online will need to have access to a computer that is hooked up to the Internet. Online programs allow students to interact with their teachers in an online format either by email, online discussion groups or chat rooms. Students either receive their assignments via email or in an online forum that the teacher sets up for students to access their assignments. Online graduate programs are great for students who are self-motivated and do not need the interaction with professors and peers to get through their classes. Online programs also allow students to work at their own pace, at least to some degree. Once an assignment has been completed, students can move on to the next assignment. Online graduate programs are flexible so that students can sign-on to their computers at a time that is convenient for them.
5 Reasons to Attend Graduate School Online:
1. Flexibility — Online graduate programs are more flexible than on-campus programs. While on-campus programs require students to attend classes on a schedule, online graduate programs allow students to crate their own schedule. Since students do not have to physically be in a classroom, they can “attend class” anywhere that they like such as at home, in their office, or on vacation (as long as they have access to a computer that is hooked up to the Internet).
2. Fits into schedule — Many graduate students continue to work their full-time jobs while earning their degree. Instead of having to fit the class schedule of an on-campus program into their work and family life, they can work on their online graduate classes around their work and home life.
3. Study at own pace — Since online graduate schools have assignments and lessons posted online for students to access, once an assignment has been completed, students can move on to the next assignment. There are no other students or glitches to hold you back once you have successfully completed your task.
4. Never have to step foot in a classroom - With an online graduate program, there are no commute times or parking problems because students never have to step foot inside of an actual classroom. Class meetings and lessons are completed virtually, so students can “attend” class without ever having to leave their home or office.
5. Convenience — Attending graduate school online is convenient for students. Since everything is provided online via email or online posts, there are no inconveniences that go along with an on-campus program. Students may not even have to go to a bookstore to buy there textbooks because they can order them online and have them shipped right to their door.
These are just 5 reasons why students should consider attending an online graduate program versus an on-campus program. While an online graduate program is not right for everyone, it is becoming a more popular way to earn a graduate degree because it meets the needs of students who continuously run short on time to fit in going to an on-campus graduate program.
Esther
