Graduate School Preparation

Resources at the Career Center

Book and Other Resources
Get Into Graduate School- A Strategic Approach
Get Your M,B.A Part Time
The Book of Business School Lists
Law Schools
Graduate Schools in U. S.
Graduate School Admission Advisor Americans Best Graduate Schools
Index of Majors and Graduate Degrees Graduate Professional Programs

Graduate Entrance Tests
Pass Key to the GRE Test
How to Prepare for the MAT
The GRE Test for Dummies
GRE 10th Edition
GRE
Free Practice Test CDs also available

Organizing the Graduate School Search

Make a list of potential schools and research them. When considering schools take into account location, cost, financial assistance, entrance exams, OP A requirements, size of school and accreditation. It will also be helpful to setup a spreadsheet to organize your information

• Visit the school's web site to get more information. Usually the web site consists on the school's name followed by .edu. Although most schools have all of their information on the internet, you can still request a hard copy of their catalogue and application.
• Try to plan a visit to the schools that you are interested in. Most schools have open houses that you can attend. That gives you the opportunity to see the school, talk to students, and meet the professors.
• Don't forget how important networking can be. Try to find someone who attended the schools that interest you. Sometimes, alumni can be your best resource.

Preparation

Be sure to take all of the proper entrance exams that you will need. Some examples are the GRE, Miller Analogies, MAT, or the LSAT. You can check the school's web site to see which exams they require. If you are uncertain about anything, it is always the best to call the school and ask your questions directly.

Decisions

• When you have decided on your schools of choice, make note of the deadlines for the application and the financial aid materials. Be sure to send them in with time to spare. It is always better to be early than late.
• If you did not attend an open house earlier in your researching process, now would be a great time for that.
• Don't forget about your references!
• Visit the Career Center in Bingham Hall Room Here you can find catalogues and information on the graduate school application process. If you are confused at all during your search, don't forget to drop in.

Graduate School References

References are very important when applying for graduate school. Usually, at least two academic references are required. It is important to begin thinking about your references early. It would be a good idea to build some positive relationships with your professors so that they can write y high-quality reference.

• Check to see if you have filled out all of the required areas on the forms before giving them to professors, for example your name, a waiver of confidentiality, etc.
• Be sure to check if the professor requires you to fill something out before they will give you a reference.
• Be sure to ask early. Don't go to a professor a few days before you have to send in your application. Give them enough time to write a great reference.
• It is helpful to furnish a brief outline to your professor to make sure that certain things are covered that you feel are appropriate or necessary.
• If requesting a professor to send a recommendation directly, be sure to supply the envelope and stamp.
• If you think that you will need several reference letters from a professor, make sure you mention this in advance so that he/she can save the letter and adapt it for later use.
• A nice gesture would be to give a brief thank you note to the professor afterwards.