Mar
31
Choosing a Graduate School - Tips & Tricks
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Kristie Lorette asked:
Many college graduates and professionals going back to school to earn an advanced degree struggle with how to go about choosing a graduate school. Since there are thousands of colleges and universities to choose from many students get dizzy just looking at the graduate school list of choices. Choosing a graduate school to earn an advanced degree is just like making any other major decision. You have to take a look at the cold hard facts for each school that you are considering and then narrow down your options based on which school is the best option for you.
Request the college brochure from each school that you are thinking about applying. If you do not find your answers there, look at their web site, call the admissions office, and speak with former students of the institution. Here is a list of questions that you should ask in order to make an informed decision about your graduate school choice.
Overall Quality of the School & Your Program of Study
First, you need to research and review the overall quality of the school and the program of study that you are interested in pursuing. The school is not an entity of itself. It is made up of the students that attend it, the teachers, faculty and administrators, the surrounding community, etc. In pursuing an overall rating of the quality of the school you should dive deeper into each of these areas.
Student Body
What types of students are currently enrolled in the program of study that you are interested in pursuing? What is the average GPA for the program? After graduation from the program, where have some of the students gone on to work and what have they been able to achieve? Answers to these questions will help you to paint a picture of what the student body is like and whether or not the quality is at the level that you wish to associate yourself with.
Faculty
When it comes to graduate schools a lot of what shapes the program’s reputation is the faculty. Depending on what your course of study is, it becomes more important to your development to be able to learn from some of the highest achieved and well-known professionals than it is to attend a famous university. The college can provide you with a list of their faculty. Read articles that they have published. This will give you an overall sense of the caliber of the faculty in your program.
Financial Resources
Find out how much funding the school has to provide students with esteemed faculty and the technology and equipment that are needed in your program of study. Are their adequate library resources, meaning does the program have the money that is required to keep the library equipped with the most current information and resources?
Curriculum
Make sure that the overall purpose of the program is in line with what you expect to get out of studying there. Find out what the faculty to student ratio is and make sure that you are comfortable with it. In a graduate program, the curriculum is more than just the actual classes that you will attend. The curriculum in a graduate course of study also has to do with internships and job placement services that will allow you to experience hands-on training while you are studying. The ultimate goal for most graduate students is to further their career and the types of services that your program offers to you with career placement is an important service.
Accreditation
It is important to attend an accredited school no matter what type of degree you are trying to obtain. Accreditation means that a school meets the guidelines to turn out educated graduates whose degrees are recognized worldwide, in most cases. Accreditation plays an especially important role in graduate school because, depending on your course of study, if your career choice requires licensure for you to work, a requirement is typically that you have earned your degree from an accredited institution.
University & Community
You will have to live, work and study on the school campus and within the community that surrounds the school. The size of the school, the location of the school and the surrounding community are also contributing factors to choosing a graduate school. The climate, extracurricular activities and employment opportunities are also things that should be taken into consideration.
Financial Considerations
There are financial resources available for attending graduate school just like there are for undergraduate school. Tally up the total cost for your graduate education for each school you are considering. Cost is a factor when making a major purchase of any kind, and an education is no exception to this rule. Just don’t let the cost alone determine your decision. Try to consider all of the facts before making a decision on which school to attend.
Graduate students can apply for financial assistance that isn’t available to other types of degrees.
Grants and Fellowship Awards
Grants and fellowships award money to graduate students. These are not loans that have to be paid back. Grants are usually given based on a financial need, while fellowships are usually earned as an achievement award.
Teaching & Research Assistantships
Graduate teaching assistants and research assistants can also work in their field of study at the university in exchange for money that can be applied to their education. These are appointed positions by the university that are usually based on academic achievement.
So when you are trying to decide which graduate school to choose, don’t let the list of options make you dizzy. Obtain and take a good hard look at the facts, so that you will make an “educated” decision that will benefit you and your career in the long run.
Melanie
Many college graduates and professionals going back to school to earn an advanced degree struggle with how to go about choosing a graduate school. Since there are thousands of colleges and universities to choose from many students get dizzy just looking at the graduate school list of choices. Choosing a graduate school to earn an advanced degree is just like making any other major decision. You have to take a look at the cold hard facts for each school that you are considering and then narrow down your options based on which school is the best option for you.
Request the college brochure from each school that you are thinking about applying. If you do not find your answers there, look at their web site, call the admissions office, and speak with former students of the institution. Here is a list of questions that you should ask in order to make an informed decision about your graduate school choice.
Overall Quality of the School & Your Program of Study
First, you need to research and review the overall quality of the school and the program of study that you are interested in pursuing. The school is not an entity of itself. It is made up of the students that attend it, the teachers, faculty and administrators, the surrounding community, etc. In pursuing an overall rating of the quality of the school you should dive deeper into each of these areas.
Student Body
What types of students are currently enrolled in the program of study that you are interested in pursuing? What is the average GPA for the program? After graduation from the program, where have some of the students gone on to work and what have they been able to achieve? Answers to these questions will help you to paint a picture of what the student body is like and whether or not the quality is at the level that you wish to associate yourself with.
Faculty
When it comes to graduate schools a lot of what shapes the program’s reputation is the faculty. Depending on what your course of study is, it becomes more important to your development to be able to learn from some of the highest achieved and well-known professionals than it is to attend a famous university. The college can provide you with a list of their faculty. Read articles that they have published. This will give you an overall sense of the caliber of the faculty in your program.
Financial Resources
Find out how much funding the school has to provide students with esteemed faculty and the technology and equipment that are needed in your program of study. Are their adequate library resources, meaning does the program have the money that is required to keep the library equipped with the most current information and resources?
Curriculum
Make sure that the overall purpose of the program is in line with what you expect to get out of studying there. Find out what the faculty to student ratio is and make sure that you are comfortable with it. In a graduate program, the curriculum is more than just the actual classes that you will attend. The curriculum in a graduate course of study also has to do with internships and job placement services that will allow you to experience hands-on training while you are studying. The ultimate goal for most graduate students is to further their career and the types of services that your program offers to you with career placement is an important service.
Accreditation
It is important to attend an accredited school no matter what type of degree you are trying to obtain. Accreditation means that a school meets the guidelines to turn out educated graduates whose degrees are recognized worldwide, in most cases. Accreditation plays an especially important role in graduate school because, depending on your course of study, if your career choice requires licensure for you to work, a requirement is typically that you have earned your degree from an accredited institution.
University & Community
You will have to live, work and study on the school campus and within the community that surrounds the school. The size of the school, the location of the school and the surrounding community are also contributing factors to choosing a graduate school. The climate, extracurricular activities and employment opportunities are also things that should be taken into consideration.
Financial Considerations
There are financial resources available for attending graduate school just like there are for undergraduate school. Tally up the total cost for your graduate education for each school you are considering. Cost is a factor when making a major purchase of any kind, and an education is no exception to this rule. Just don’t let the cost alone determine your decision. Try to consider all of the facts before making a decision on which school to attend.
Graduate students can apply for financial assistance that isn’t available to other types of degrees.
Grants and Fellowship Awards
Grants and fellowships award money to graduate students. These are not loans that have to be paid back. Grants are usually given based on a financial need, while fellowships are usually earned as an achievement award.
Teaching & Research Assistantships
Graduate teaching assistants and research assistants can also work in their field of study at the university in exchange for money that can be applied to their education. These are appointed positions by the university that are usually based on academic achievement.
So when you are trying to decide which graduate school to choose, don’t let the list of options make you dizzy. Obtain and take a good hard look at the facts, so that you will make an “educated” decision that will benefit you and your career in the long run.
Melanie
Mar
29
Is Grad School Worth It?
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Kelli Smith asked:
You see friends going back to graduate school. Your mother clips newspaper mentions of grad programs and slyly mails them to you with “thinking of you” post-its attached. You see a job posting for the position of your dreams, then notice the “master’s degree required.” In short, there are a lot of reasons you’re thinking about going back to school.
In 2004, there were over 2 million students enrolled in U.S. graduate schools, and it may seem clear to everyone around you (that newspaper-clipping mother of yours, for instance) that you should be among them. Credentials are great, but you’ve probably also heard the horror stories of the “over-qualified candidate.” And while Mr. Over-qualified may be an urban legend, the tradeoffs involved in either leaving the workforce or continuing to work while earning a degree are significant. Financially, professionally, and personally, is graduate school really worth it?
Graduate School to Launch Your Career
For Chris, 30, the answer to the “was it worth it” question is a definite yes. He went straight from college into a Masters of Teaching (MAT) program. “My undergraduate drama degree wasn’t landing me any jobs,” he says, “and I wasn’t passionate enough about acting to [endure] the waiter/actor life for long.” A year and a master’s degree later, he started teaching. His degree gave him the teaching license he needed, but because it was a graduate degree, it also meant his salary was several thousand dollars higher than other beginning teachers who only held bachelor’s degrees. What’s more, each year thereafter his salary increased at a higher rate than theirs, but the real clincher was that he got to be a drama teacher.
For many people like Chris, a graduate degree is a means of launching a career. Academics present a classic argument for a post-graduate degree as a PhD is essential. This also holds true for doctors and lawyers. However, if you’re already working in your field of choice and are simply looking to get ahead, the question of graduate school may become more complicated.
Graduate School as a Career Booster
Will, 29, works in hotel management and decided the time off in going to graduate school wasn’t worth it. “I’d get a bump in pay and position if I got an MBA, but in my industry, just working those two years would get me more in terms of promotions, experience, and salary.” However, he decided he wanted the extra education anyway. Will felt that education would give him a slight boost at work and because it would give him a foundation to make a change in career field easier if he ever wanted to make one. So his solution was to keep working while enrolling in a distance-learning MBA program. Even though it’s the “have-it-all” answer, it hasn’t been without sacrifices. He’s busier than ever, with weekends and evenings now packed with schoolwork. For him, though, it’s worth it. “My wife and I don’t have kids yet,” he explains, “so this is the best time for us to work really hard.”
Part-time or distance learning graduate degree programs are becoming more and more popular. In 1990 only about a third of graduate students were enrolled part-time, but today roughly half of them are. For students like Will, doubling up works fine, but for others it can be a real burden. With more graduate school options than ever, there’s plenty of flexibility to be had, but you’ll have to take a close look at your personal life and the changes that you’ll need to make.
Graduate School as Reinvention
Karin, 28, also enrolled in a post-collegiate program while working full-time, but for her, the program was all about reinvention. She already had an MBA and was working at a job she liked well enough, but she couldn’t stop thinking “that if I really loved what I was doing, life would be different.” So she finally enrolled in a massage therapy program. She took weekend and evening courses, and now that she has the experience and education she needs to be a practicing massage therapist, she’s said goodbye to technology management and hello to her own massage therapy business. “Now I’m doing what I really want to be doing and building my own business, and I’m so excited about it,” she says. Unlike her old job, she explains, “Here people come happy and leave happy. It’s as much therapy for me as it is for my clients.”
If you’re looking to change over to another field–and you’re not alone in the modern workforce where mid-career career change is commonplace–a graduate degree or certificate or even coursework in a new area can do the trick.
Even with all the upsides of post-collegiate education, the answer to “is it worth it?” is still complicated. Take a close look at your profession, the flexibility of various programs, and your personal and financial situation because when all is said and done, the only real question is “is it worth it for me?” Now quickly, clip this article and send it to your mother.
Jose
You see friends going back to graduate school. Your mother clips newspaper mentions of grad programs and slyly mails them to you with “thinking of you” post-its attached. You see a job posting for the position of your dreams, then notice the “master’s degree required.” In short, there are a lot of reasons you’re thinking about going back to school.
In 2004, there were over 2 million students enrolled in U.S. graduate schools, and it may seem clear to everyone around you (that newspaper-clipping mother of yours, for instance) that you should be among them. Credentials are great, but you’ve probably also heard the horror stories of the “over-qualified candidate.” And while Mr. Over-qualified may be an urban legend, the tradeoffs involved in either leaving the workforce or continuing to work while earning a degree are significant. Financially, professionally, and personally, is graduate school really worth it?
Graduate School to Launch Your Career
For Chris, 30, the answer to the “was it worth it” question is a definite yes. He went straight from college into a Masters of Teaching (MAT) program. “My undergraduate drama degree wasn’t landing me any jobs,” he says, “and I wasn’t passionate enough about acting to [endure] the waiter/actor life for long.” A year and a master’s degree later, he started teaching. His degree gave him the teaching license he needed, but because it was a graduate degree, it also meant his salary was several thousand dollars higher than other beginning teachers who only held bachelor’s degrees. What’s more, each year thereafter his salary increased at a higher rate than theirs, but the real clincher was that he got to be a drama teacher.
For many people like Chris, a graduate degree is a means of launching a career. Academics present a classic argument for a post-graduate degree as a PhD is essential. This also holds true for doctors and lawyers. However, if you’re already working in your field of choice and are simply looking to get ahead, the question of graduate school may become more complicated.
Graduate School as a Career Booster
Will, 29, works in hotel management and decided the time off in going to graduate school wasn’t worth it. “I’d get a bump in pay and position if I got an MBA, but in my industry, just working those two years would get me more in terms of promotions, experience, and salary.” However, he decided he wanted the extra education anyway. Will felt that education would give him a slight boost at work and because it would give him a foundation to make a change in career field easier if he ever wanted to make one. So his solution was to keep working while enrolling in a distance-learning MBA program. Even though it’s the “have-it-all” answer, it hasn’t been without sacrifices. He’s busier than ever, with weekends and evenings now packed with schoolwork. For him, though, it’s worth it. “My wife and I don’t have kids yet,” he explains, “so this is the best time for us to work really hard.”
Part-time or distance learning graduate degree programs are becoming more and more popular. In 1990 only about a third of graduate students were enrolled part-time, but today roughly half of them are. For students like Will, doubling up works fine, but for others it can be a real burden. With more graduate school options than ever, there’s plenty of flexibility to be had, but you’ll have to take a close look at your personal life and the changes that you’ll need to make.
Graduate School as Reinvention
Karin, 28, also enrolled in a post-collegiate program while working full-time, but for her, the program was all about reinvention. She already had an MBA and was working at a job she liked well enough, but she couldn’t stop thinking “that if I really loved what I was doing, life would be different.” So she finally enrolled in a massage therapy program. She took weekend and evening courses, and now that she has the experience and education she needs to be a practicing massage therapist, she’s said goodbye to technology management and hello to her own massage therapy business. “Now I’m doing what I really want to be doing and building my own business, and I’m so excited about it,” she says. Unlike her old job, she explains, “Here people come happy and leave happy. It’s as much therapy for me as it is for my clients.”
If you’re looking to change over to another field–and you’re not alone in the modern workforce where mid-career career change is commonplace–a graduate degree or certificate or even coursework in a new area can do the trick.
Even with all the upsides of post-collegiate education, the answer to “is it worth it?” is still complicated. Take a close look at your profession, the flexibility of various programs, and your personal and financial situation because when all is said and done, the only real question is “is it worth it for me?” Now quickly, clip this article and send it to your mother.
Jose
Mar
22
Take it Easy: Reasons to Go Part Time in Graduate School
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Amber Smith asked:
Most graduate school programs give you the option of just going part-time. In graduate school, full time is 9 hours, so part-time is anything under that. If you are getting a Masters degree, the program will be about 36 hours, including any internships or a thesis. There are lots of good reasons to only go part time in graduate school. Let’s consider a few.
Keep Working
If you only go part time to graduate school, then you can keep working full time at your normal job. This is essential if your company is paying for you to go back to school. You will also be able to make more money at your normal job than you could in a graduate assistantship. Many individuals in high-pressure jobs or in jobs that require constant travel choose to go to school only part-time, though the advent of online education has made full-time education much easier.
Go Slow
If you haven’t been to school in many years, it’s smart to start slow. You want to make sure that you can handle the classes and deal with the new pressures of school. Going part-time gives you the space to adjust to your new schedule and the new restraints on your time. If you can handle more hours, you can always add more the next semester; if you can’t, then you haven’t lost anything.
Spend More Time with Family
You don’t want school to take away a lot of time from your family, particularly if you have children. Taking nine hours of classes a semester would be taking away two or three nights a week, time that you don’t want to miss. If you just go part-time, your course of study may take a little longer but you won’t miss as many of those special moments.
No Rush
If your current job is paying for your school or you’re just getting a degree to enhance your knowledge, then there’s really no rush to get finished. You can take your time if you want. If that’s the case, you might as well go part-time in graduate school and just enjoy the experience. Just remember that in order to get a degree, you usually have to finish the program within a certain amount of time - make sure you finish under the time limit.
Lots of Reasons
Everyone who only goes part-time in graduate school has a good reason for it. If your reason is strong enough that it outweighs having to be in school a little longer, then you should definitely take it slow and just go part-time to graduate school. Relax, take it easy, and enjoy the experience at your own pace.
Keep Working
Take Your Time
Spend Extra Time with Family
Wendy
Most graduate school programs give you the option of just going part-time. In graduate school, full time is 9 hours, so part-time is anything under that. If you are getting a Masters degree, the program will be about 36 hours, including any internships or a thesis. There are lots of good reasons to only go part time in graduate school. Let’s consider a few.
Keep Working
If you only go part time to graduate school, then you can keep working full time at your normal job. This is essential if your company is paying for you to go back to school. You will also be able to make more money at your normal job than you could in a graduate assistantship. Many individuals in high-pressure jobs or in jobs that require constant travel choose to go to school only part-time, though the advent of online education has made full-time education much easier.
Go Slow
If you haven’t been to school in many years, it’s smart to start slow. You want to make sure that you can handle the classes and deal with the new pressures of school. Going part-time gives you the space to adjust to your new schedule and the new restraints on your time. If you can handle more hours, you can always add more the next semester; if you can’t, then you haven’t lost anything.
Spend More Time with Family
You don’t want school to take away a lot of time from your family, particularly if you have children. Taking nine hours of classes a semester would be taking away two or three nights a week, time that you don’t want to miss. If you just go part-time, your course of study may take a little longer but you won’t miss as many of those special moments.
No Rush
If your current job is paying for your school or you’re just getting a degree to enhance your knowledge, then there’s really no rush to get finished. You can take your time if you want. If that’s the case, you might as well go part-time in graduate school and just enjoy the experience. Just remember that in order to get a degree, you usually have to finish the program within a certain amount of time - make sure you finish under the time limit.
Lots of Reasons
Everyone who only goes part-time in graduate school has a good reason for it. If your reason is strong enough that it outweighs having to be in school a little longer, then you should definitely take it slow and just go part-time to graduate school. Relax, take it easy, and enjoy the experience at your own pace.
Keep Working
Take Your Time
Spend Extra Time with Family
Wendy
Mar
21
Can American people graduate school without passing anything?
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jayKAY asked:
In America, can someone graduate high school if they rarely ever go and get awful grades?
Anita
In America, can someone graduate high school if they rarely ever go and get awful grades?
Anita
Mar
21
Any suggestions on how to pay for graduate school?
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LadyM asked:
I am an adult student with one semester of graduate school. I had to drop out due to cost. I only received student loans and at $33,000 a year I was unable to continue. I need help with the cost of school as well as living while I am attending.
I did get loans. For graduate school you qualify for $33,000 worth of loans a year in Stanford loans. For me living in Washington DC with an expensive graduate school this wasn’t enough. Further, I am already $50,000 in debut from undergraduate school. I did not want to add over $100,000 in debt for my 4 years of graduate school.
I am trying to obtain a doctorate in clinical psychology. In this area all graduate schools are expensive, mine is actually on the cheaper side. Moving is not an option. I wish that I could work and go to school but with a young child at home and a husband who works 70 hours a week its just not possible.
Thanks Dr. Cain I would have never thought of that. You are clearly not a doctor, because you are not very smart. I do have a job Einstein, it just doesn’t pay well enough to afford cost of living, child care and school. I need the schooling to get a better paying job. You need to get off line because you are a jerk.
Jacqueline
I am an adult student with one semester of graduate school. I had to drop out due to cost. I only received student loans and at $33,000 a year I was unable to continue. I need help with the cost of school as well as living while I am attending.
I did get loans. For graduate school you qualify for $33,000 worth of loans a year in Stanford loans. For me living in Washington DC with an expensive graduate school this wasn’t enough. Further, I am already $50,000 in debut from undergraduate school. I did not want to add over $100,000 in debt for my 4 years of graduate school.
I am trying to obtain a doctorate in clinical psychology. In this area all graduate schools are expensive, mine is actually on the cheaper side. Moving is not an option. I wish that I could work and go to school but with a young child at home and a husband who works 70 hours a week its just not possible.
Thanks Dr. Cain I would have never thought of that. You are clearly not a doctor, because you are not very smart. I do have a job Einstein, it just doesn’t pay well enough to afford cost of living, child care and school. I need the schooling to get a better paying job. You need to get off line because you are a jerk.
Jacqueline
Mar
21
How to Manage Financial Debt From Graduate School
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Amber Smith asked:
Choose To Attend The Most Affordable Graduate Program Possible
Because the best way to manage financial debt of any kind is to avoid it in the first place, when you’re applying to graduate schools, keep the costs of various programs in mind. Of course, you want to have a high quality educational experience, but often you can receive the same great quality education from a variety of institutions at a variety of prices. If you’re like most people, you don’t have the luxury of paying out of pocket, and that means taking on some student loans. To minimize the amount of debt you incur, choose a graduate program that comes close to being at the intersection of the best educational experience at the lowest price.
Determine whether or not you are eligible for any kind of scholarships, funding, or teaching assistantships?
Depending on what you plan to study, you might qualify for some kind of financial award that will defray the cost of your education. Are you a superstar in your field? If so, there’s probably money out there that an organization is willing to give someone like you to make sure you pursue your graduate degree. Another way to help keep financial debt to a minimum is to seek teaching assistantship opportunities as a graduate student. As a teaching assistant, you will probably have all of your courses paid for in addition to getting a stipend. These stipends vary from school to school. Some may be small enough to necessitate taking on student loans. Others may be generous enough that a frugal graduate student could get by on stipend alone — albeit with the caveat that he or she doesn’t mind a diet rich in Ramen and an apartment with at least one roommate. In addition to what a teaching assistantship can do for your tuition bills, gaining teaching experience as a graduate student can be very useful to those who are undertaking degrees that eventually will lead to a career in academia.
Borrow Only What You Need
Whether or not you have found ways to minimize the cost of your education, every graduate student should live with the creed that he or she will borrow only what is necessary to get by during graduate school. The temptation might be great to take out as much as you can, but you should avoid it, because after you graduate, the six months of grace period you’re allowed will fly by almost as quickly as the interest on the loans you’ll have to repay can compound.
Plan For The End Of The Grace Period Before You Graduate
When you graduate, you will have six months before you’ll need to start repaying your loans. With the hectic pace of graduate school, this six months — the grace period — might seem like plenty of time to figure out how you’ll make your monthly payments. You will be in a much better position to take on the responsibility of those monthly payments if you have something lined up before you cross the graduation platform.
Katie
Choose To Attend The Most Affordable Graduate Program Possible
Because the best way to manage financial debt of any kind is to avoid it in the first place, when you’re applying to graduate schools, keep the costs of various programs in mind. Of course, you want to have a high quality educational experience, but often you can receive the same great quality education from a variety of institutions at a variety of prices. If you’re like most people, you don’t have the luxury of paying out of pocket, and that means taking on some student loans. To minimize the amount of debt you incur, choose a graduate program that comes close to being at the intersection of the best educational experience at the lowest price.
Determine whether or not you are eligible for any kind of scholarships, funding, or teaching assistantships?
Depending on what you plan to study, you might qualify for some kind of financial award that will defray the cost of your education. Are you a superstar in your field? If so, there’s probably money out there that an organization is willing to give someone like you to make sure you pursue your graduate degree. Another way to help keep financial debt to a minimum is to seek teaching assistantship opportunities as a graduate student. As a teaching assistant, you will probably have all of your courses paid for in addition to getting a stipend. These stipends vary from school to school. Some may be small enough to necessitate taking on student loans. Others may be generous enough that a frugal graduate student could get by on stipend alone — albeit with the caveat that he or she doesn’t mind a diet rich in Ramen and an apartment with at least one roommate. In addition to what a teaching assistantship can do for your tuition bills, gaining teaching experience as a graduate student can be very useful to those who are undertaking degrees that eventually will lead to a career in academia.
Borrow Only What You Need
Whether or not you have found ways to minimize the cost of your education, every graduate student should live with the creed that he or she will borrow only what is necessary to get by during graduate school. The temptation might be great to take out as much as you can, but you should avoid it, because after you graduate, the six months of grace period you’re allowed will fly by almost as quickly as the interest on the loans you’ll have to repay can compound.
Plan For The End Of The Grace Period Before You Graduate
When you graduate, you will have six months before you’ll need to start repaying your loans. With the hectic pace of graduate school, this six months — the grace period — might seem like plenty of time to figure out how you’ll make your monthly payments. You will be in a much better position to take on the responsibility of those monthly payments if you have something lined up before you cross the graduation platform.
Katie
Mar
20
Dealing With Financial Aid in Graduate School
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Amber Smith asked:
Financial aid in graduate school doesn’t work quite the same way as financial aid for undergraduate degrees. There are far fewer scholarships available in graduate school, and they are much more difficult to get. So, how does financial aid work in graduate school?
Graduate Assistantships
Most “free” money in graduate school comes from graduate assistantships where you are working for the school or your department. This is still not free, but sometimes it comes in conjunction with a scholarship that will help pay for more of your schooling.
Stick with Your Original Lender
If you can, stick with your original lender. It’s just easier. They already have all your information and you can easily consolidate all your loans when the time finally comes to repay. You might want to keep one set of loans with a different lender. Even if the amount is small, this will give you the option to consolidate again later.
Talk to Your Employer
The best way to finance your graduate school degree is to talk to your employer. More and more employers are becoming willing to pay for their employees to go back to school. If you can get your employer to pay for your degree, then you will get a raise and a free degree simply by promising to stay with your company a few more years.
Start Early
When you are looking for financial aid options, start early. You will have more opportunities and a better chance of finding a good deal if you start the process early. When you have the time to shop around, compare prices, and maybe even start a small price war, you will certainly benefit from the results.
Take Notes
When you are shopping around, be sure you keep notes on everything you learn. If possible, get the information in writing from the companies with whom you will be working. Your detailed notes will come in handy later if they try to change the rules on you or if you need to find another loan later.
Gladys
Financial aid in graduate school doesn’t work quite the same way as financial aid for undergraduate degrees. There are far fewer scholarships available in graduate school, and they are much more difficult to get. So, how does financial aid work in graduate school?
Graduate Assistantships
Most “free” money in graduate school comes from graduate assistantships where you are working for the school or your department. This is still not free, but sometimes it comes in conjunction with a scholarship that will help pay for more of your schooling.
Stick with Your Original Lender
If you can, stick with your original lender. It’s just easier. They already have all your information and you can easily consolidate all your loans when the time finally comes to repay. You might want to keep one set of loans with a different lender. Even if the amount is small, this will give you the option to consolidate again later.
Talk to Your Employer
The best way to finance your graduate school degree is to talk to your employer. More and more employers are becoming willing to pay for their employees to go back to school. If you can get your employer to pay for your degree, then you will get a raise and a free degree simply by promising to stay with your company a few more years.
Start Early
When you are looking for financial aid options, start early. You will have more opportunities and a better chance of finding a good deal if you start the process early. When you have the time to shop around, compare prices, and maybe even start a small price war, you will certainly benefit from the results.
Take Notes
When you are shopping around, be sure you keep notes on everything you learn. If possible, get the information in writing from the companies with whom you will be working. Your detailed notes will come in handy later if they try to change the rules on you or if you need to find another loan later.
Gladys
Mar
20
Is graduate school easier or harder when in a relationship?
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Sicko J asked:
Does being in a long term relationship help get through graduate school…or does it just create more distractions and reduce focus?
Larry
Does being in a long term relationship help get through graduate school…or does it just create more distractions and reduce focus?
Larry
Mar
15
5 Myths About Graduate School - and the 5 Truths
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Kristie Lorette asked:
There are myths in this world and then there are realities. Many people have preconceived notions about graduate school that may not necessarily be true. We have compiled some of the more common myths that prospective students have about attending graduate school, along with the truths or the realities. Hopefully, reading through them will alleviate some of the anxiety you feel about possibly attending graduate school.
Myth: Graduate school is hard to get accepted into.
Truth: There are many different graduate schools that have many different minimum criteria for accepting to applicants. Some programs do not require GMAT or GRE tests to be taken at all. They may base acceptance on work experience and undergraduate GPA, other degrees earned, etc.
Myth: Graduate school is not convenient for me and won’t fit in to my hectic schedule.
Truth: Now that graduate programs are being offered online, it is very simple for students to be more flexible with their class schedule and time. Online MBA courses and programs allow students to sign-on at times that are convenient for them and work at their own pace toward earning their degree. With online programs, graduate students may never have to step foot inside of a classroom.
Myth: Graduate school costs too much money.
Truth: There are many different graduate schools to choose from and pricing varies from institution to institution. Some graduate programs are more cost effective than others. Just like any major purchase, you must do some comparison-shopping before you make your final purchase.
Myth: Going to graduate school doesn’t have any real-world benefits or advantages.
Truth: Graduate school revolves around teaching students applications that can be applied to real-world situations. This is done in the form of group projects and case studies. Most professors that teach graduate level classes bring real-world experience and examples to the classroom. The fact that there is an increase in demand for MBA graduates by employers also shows that there really is a benefit to you having a MBA degree in the real world.
Myth: MBA degrees are luxuries, not necessities.
Truth: As the business world becomes more and more global, competition for new jobs and promotions tend to be awarded to those with MBA degrees. MBA graduates have a competitive advantage over those who do not have a degree because a degree signifies to a potential employer that the degree-holder has the knowledge and skills to perform at a level of mastery or management level.
Kevin
There are myths in this world and then there are realities. Many people have preconceived notions about graduate school that may not necessarily be true. We have compiled some of the more common myths that prospective students have about attending graduate school, along with the truths or the realities. Hopefully, reading through them will alleviate some of the anxiety you feel about possibly attending graduate school.
Myth: Graduate school is hard to get accepted into.
Truth: There are many different graduate schools that have many different minimum criteria for accepting to applicants. Some programs do not require GMAT or GRE tests to be taken at all. They may base acceptance on work experience and undergraduate GPA, other degrees earned, etc.
Myth: Graduate school is not convenient for me and won’t fit in to my hectic schedule.
Truth: Now that graduate programs are being offered online, it is very simple for students to be more flexible with their class schedule and time. Online MBA courses and programs allow students to sign-on at times that are convenient for them and work at their own pace toward earning their degree. With online programs, graduate students may never have to step foot inside of a classroom.
Myth: Graduate school costs too much money.
Truth: There are many different graduate schools to choose from and pricing varies from institution to institution. Some graduate programs are more cost effective than others. Just like any major purchase, you must do some comparison-shopping before you make your final purchase.
Myth: Going to graduate school doesn’t have any real-world benefits or advantages.
Truth: Graduate school revolves around teaching students applications that can be applied to real-world situations. This is done in the form of group projects and case studies. Most professors that teach graduate level classes bring real-world experience and examples to the classroom. The fact that there is an increase in demand for MBA graduates by employers also shows that there really is a benefit to you having a MBA degree in the real world.
Myth: MBA degrees are luxuries, not necessities.
Truth: As the business world becomes more and more global, competition for new jobs and promotions tend to be awarded to those with MBA degrees. MBA graduates have a competitive advantage over those who do not have a degree because a degree signifies to a potential employer that the degree-holder has the knowledge and skills to perform at a level of mastery or management level.
Kevin
Mar
13
5 Tips for Finding the Best Graduate Schools
Filed Under grad school | Comments Off
Sarah J Holt asked:
Are you spending all your brain power trying to find the best graduate schools out there? Save some time and energy by using these 5 tips for finding the best graduate schools suited to your needs and goals.
Looking for the best graduate schools is not as easy as viewing a list of top colleges, since what may be the best graduate school for one person will be a poor decision for another. This is because the best graduate schools are the ones that fit your specific needs and goals. Choosing the best graduate schools is a lot like choosing outfits; the ones that fit you the best may not be the best ones for someone else.
Focus On Your Specific Area Of Study
Even the best graduate schools overall are limited in their areas of study. Because of this it is important to look at the academic department that represents your area of focus and evaluate the school based on this. For example, if you want to become a forensic psychologist it will not be helpful to find a great college if it does not have a comprehensive forensics program.
Learn About the Differences Between Private & State Colleges
There are differences between private and state colleges that need to be considered when looking for the best graduate schools. One of these differences is that private colleges tend to cost more. This, however, may be offset if the college offers better financial assistance programs. It will also be less important if you are considering attending a public college in another state where out-of-state tuition can dramatically increase costs, putting them closer to the costs of a private college. Other differences are that private colleges may be associated with a particular religion, as well as being more likely to curb enrollment than state colleges. Many people still choose to apply to both private and state colleges, keeping in mind their differences.
View the Scheduling Options They Offer
In order to find the best graduate schools for yourself, it is important to view the scheduling options they have available. Some colleges offer night classes, weekend classes, or online classes. Other colleges adhere to a more traditional schedule or weekday classes. When searching for the best graduate schools to apply to, consider these different scheduling options so that you can choose a schedule that allows for you to be alert and productive in your schooling, which will be reflected in how well you do.
Find Out About the Learning Methods Utilized
Take the time to learn about the methods implemented. Some colleges may rely more heavily on hands-on assessments, such as internships or mock situations where you can practice new skills, while other colleges will focus more on in-class lectures. Make sure that the method used fits your needs and goals.
Talk It Over
Talk to family and friends. Often times they will be able to offer valuable feedback on different aspects of this decision making process. In addition to this, it is always a good idea to talk through decisions, since this can provide additional insight and awareness.
Finding the best graduate schools takes time and energy. Using the above tips will help to make the whole process much easier.
Mildred
Are you spending all your brain power trying to find the best graduate schools out there? Save some time and energy by using these 5 tips for finding the best graduate schools suited to your needs and goals.
Looking for the best graduate schools is not as easy as viewing a list of top colleges, since what may be the best graduate school for one person will be a poor decision for another. This is because the best graduate schools are the ones that fit your specific needs and goals. Choosing the best graduate schools is a lot like choosing outfits; the ones that fit you the best may not be the best ones for someone else.
Focus On Your Specific Area Of Study
Even the best graduate schools overall are limited in their areas of study. Because of this it is important to look at the academic department that represents your area of focus and evaluate the school based on this. For example, if you want to become a forensic psychologist it will not be helpful to find a great college if it does not have a comprehensive forensics program.
Learn About the Differences Between Private & State Colleges
There are differences between private and state colleges that need to be considered when looking for the best graduate schools. One of these differences is that private colleges tend to cost more. This, however, may be offset if the college offers better financial assistance programs. It will also be less important if you are considering attending a public college in another state where out-of-state tuition can dramatically increase costs, putting them closer to the costs of a private college. Other differences are that private colleges may be associated with a particular religion, as well as being more likely to curb enrollment than state colleges. Many people still choose to apply to both private and state colleges, keeping in mind their differences.
View the Scheduling Options They Offer
In order to find the best graduate schools for yourself, it is important to view the scheduling options they have available. Some colleges offer night classes, weekend classes, or online classes. Other colleges adhere to a more traditional schedule or weekday classes. When searching for the best graduate schools to apply to, consider these different scheduling options so that you can choose a schedule that allows for you to be alert and productive in your schooling, which will be reflected in how well you do.
Find Out About the Learning Methods Utilized
Take the time to learn about the methods implemented. Some colleges may rely more heavily on hands-on assessments, such as internships or mock situations where you can practice new skills, while other colleges will focus more on in-class lectures. Make sure that the method used fits your needs and goals.
Talk It Over
Talk to family and friends. Often times they will be able to offer valuable feedback on different aspects of this decision making process. In addition to this, it is always a good idea to talk through decisions, since this can provide additional insight and awareness.
Finding the best graduate schools takes time and energy. Using the above tips will help to make the whole process much easier.
Mildred
