Graduate Schools

jill asked:


One of the most common tips I’ve been receiving about applying to graduate school is to get in touch with members of the faculty in my (hopeful) department. Especially for those of you who ARE graduate professors (or even those who have successfully applied to grad school), what is proper etiquette for doing so? Can I just send an email that asks for information about the department, or should I veil it and ask about their work? Any direction would be helpful.

Cynthia

Craig Berger asked:


You’ve graduated college and you’re ready for the next step. The logical choice is graduate school, but how do you find the right one for you? Which graduate school to attend can have tremendous impact on your future career, so you want to be sure to make the right choice. Here are some things you should be considering when applying to graduate school.

Are you interested in a Doctoral or a Masters program? Some graduate schools offer a terminal Masters, meaning the Masters Degree is as far as you can go. Others allow you to move from Masters to Doctoral, and still others let you apply to either one directly. Decide which of these programs is right for you. Doctoral programs are often much longer and more rigorous, but of course completing the Doctorate leads to greater career opportunities. Certain schools are better equipped to give you a Doctoral education, while others are better for the Masters Degree. This is an important consideration in choosing a school.

You then want to consider the reputation of the school to which you may be applying. Is the school known for producing people successful in your discipline of study? Is the school well known in this field? Weigh these considerations against the likelihood of you being accepted to the program and of completing the program. A program may be great, but if you don’t get into it, or worse, if you don’t finish, you will have wasted valuable time that you could have spent pursuing a degree elsewhere.

Consider the practical aspects. Will you be able to hold a job if you need to while you are in the program? Will you have to travel far from your own state? Can you afford the program? Can you afford living expenses while in the program, and loan payments afterwards?

Once you have taken all of these things into account, you must consider the faculty. See what kind of research faculty members have done in your field. Are they respected in the field or on the periphery? Look into their publications. Have they written many books on the subjects you will be studying? You might even pick up one or more of these books to judge how much you will enjoy having one of these faculty members as your professor.

Once you’ve narrowed down your search, it couldn’t hurt to visit some of the schools you are considering. Meet the faculty and students and see if you like them and will be able to work with them. Look at the school’s facilities and decide whether you will be happy and comfortable earning your degree there.

Graduate school is an important step towards your future. Use the tips above to help you carefully research and consider the right one for you. A quality graduate school environment can help you earn a highly profitable and useful degree quickly and efficiently so that you can get started on your chosen career.



Marian

Sarah Porter asked:


Graduation Card for the Graduate!

Do you know someone who is graduating? Whether they are graduating from high school, college, graduate school, or medical school, this is one of the most important days in their lives and showing that you recognize this by sending graduation card, http://www.graduationcardsshop.com is an excellent idea. Below are some ideas to help you send out these graduation greetings to your friends and family members.

When to Send

First, you may be wondering when is the best time to send out a graduation card, http://www.cardsshoppe.com/graduation-announcements/graduation-cards.htm The answer depends on your situation. If you receive an invitation to attend a graduation party or ceremony but are unable to go, you should send the greeting cards graduation as soon as possible. Be sure to include in the message your regrets for being unable to attend. If you are not invited but do receive a graduation announcement, you can send the card soon after.

Even if you have a relative you know should be graduating, do not send out graduate cards, http://www.express-invitations.com/graduation-announcements/graduation-cards.php unless you receive one of the types of notification above (an email or phone call would work as well). Just because someone should be graduating does not mean they have completed that goal, so don’t jump the gun and end up embarrassing someone close to you.

What Should I Say?

When you’re writing the message for college graduation cards, http://www.graduationcardsshop.com or any others for that matter, you want to choose your words carefully and be sincere. Explain that this is a major accomplishment, that you are proud of them, and that you wish them great luck in the future. Obviously, if you are writing to your own child, you’ll want to be sincere and more open about your feelings. This is a good time to really let your emotions out in writing.

If you do not know the person very well, you can keep the message brief. Offer your congratulations and best wishes for the future. You could also add a poem or quote that would be relevant for the occasion.

Graduation Present Etiquette

If you are sending graduation card, http://www.cardsshoppe.com you might also want to send a gift to the successful student as well. If you’re far away from the student’s location, purchase a gift card and add it to the graduation greetings stationery. Choose a gift card that would be useful at a wide variety of locations. You can also purchase Visa gift cards at many banking institutions which work like debit cards but you determine how much cash is available. They give the recipient more spending flexibility.

Another way to get a special gift to the graduate is to send it separate via the mail. In this case, you might want to mention that the gift is on the way in the graduation card. Of course, if you don’t live too far away, why not drop by with the card and the gift. Or why not invite them out for a nice dinner so you can discuss the accomplishment in person.

A few of the better online graduation stationery shoppes offer MANY advantages to shopping with them, the largest and best place to purchase invitations and announcements cards, http://www.express-invitations.com/graduation-announcements/ such as.

* One-of-a-Kind and Exclusive Designs Available * View Your Personalized Graduation Card PRIOR to buying * Receive a Proof by Email within One hour AND make unlimited changes at NO extra cost * Free 10 graduation card and Free Shipping * Print and Ship Your Order the SAME DAY * You Can Add a Photo, Picture or Logo to Any Cards * They will Modify any card design or color available throughout their site * Will Create a Design Just For You



Jeanette