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BEGINNING YOUR GRADUATE SCHOOL SEARCH
There are several steps involved in applying for graduate school. Ideally, you should begin your plans for graduate school admission eighteen months before you plan to begin your studies. The following is a suggested timeline. The actual schedule you will follow will depend on the institutions to which you apply.
18 months
- Begin investigating graduate schools
- Check into the reputation of the institution.
- Evaluate the reputation of the department.
- Check which emphases are available in the department.
- Talk to your professors
- What schools have they recommended to other students?
- Where do they have contacts with other faculty?
- Which schools are important in your discipline?
- Where do the authors of your texts teach?
- Has the school published a number of dissertations in your field recently?
- Are there research, teaching assistantships or paid internships available?
- Visit the school; if possible talk with faculty and students.
12 months
- Select school(s) and make inquiries regarding required application materials and due dates for submittals. Some require 9 months or more before classes begin.
- Which tests are required?
- Number of letters of recommendation
- Transcripts
- Essays
- Any other requirements
- Obtain applications for admittance.
- Register for required tests.
- Contact individuals to request "good" letters of recommendation.
- Write essay.
10 months
- Request transcripts to be sent.
- Take test(s); have results sent directly to school(s)
- Submit application and fees.
- Submit essay.
- Follow up on requests for letters of recommendation; make sure they were sent
- Check with school(s) to confirm they have received your materials.
8 months
- Follow up to see if letters of reference have been sent
- Send thank you notes to individuals recommending you or referring you to contacts.
6 months
- Check into financing, grants, and scholarships (if applicable).
To meet with a career counselor regarding any aspect of the graduate school application process, call (262) 524-7335 or stop by the Walter Young Center and ask to set up a career appointment.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
- BACHELOR'S DEGREE
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required for admission as a regular degree candidate. In some cases you will be admitted on a temporary non-degree basis pending submittal of all required admission documents. This status is valid for one semester only, and may be used while awaiting the arrival of transcripts and test scores.
- APPLICATIONS
Request an application form from the graduate school of each institution to which you apply. Some departments require their own separate applications, so check each institution concerning their application process.
- OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
Official transcripts from each post secondary institution you have attended must be forwarded directly from each school. Some programs require two official transcripts. If you are in the last year of your undergraduate studies, you may send a letter describing your work in progress, attaching a list of courses you are taking to complete your degree.
- APPLICATION FEE
An application fee will be required with your materials. Fees vary, but you can expect to pay from $25 to $125.
- ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
In addition to the application(s), some programs will require additional materials, such as essays, letters of recommendation, and specific test scores. If you have questions regarding these materials, such as what information should be included in your essay, or how to ask for letters of recommendation, please see a career counselor at the Walter Young Center.
WEB SITES FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL INFORMATION
COLLEGE SOURCE
www.collegesource.com
Features over 9000 college catalogs representing four-year, graduate and professional schools.
GRAD SCHOOLS.COM
www.gradschools.com
Online database of graduate programs and descriptions by field of study.
GRADUATE GUIDE
www.graduateguide.com
U.S. directory of graduate schools and programs, events, and financial aid information.
ALL ABOUT GRAD SCHOOL
www.allaboutgradschool.com
Online guide to finding the best MBA school for you.
PETERSON'S EDUCATION CENTER
www.petersons.com/gradchannel/
Comprehensive information to find graduate schools throughout the United States.
THE PRINCETON REVIEW
www.princetonreview.com
Useful information on graduate school, entrance exams (GRE, GMAT ,etc.) and financial aid.
KAPLAN
www.kaplan.com
Find top schools for law, medicine, nursing, and accounting, plus information about graduate school, entrance exams and financial aid.
GRE (GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION)
www.gre.org
GMAT (GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST)
www.mba.com
Includes tools to help you decide on pursuing and MBA
LSAT (LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST)
www.lsat.org
MCAT (MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST)
www.aamc.org/students/mcat/
MAT (MILLER ANALOGIES TEST)
www.milleranalogies.com
EXAMINATIONS
Graduate schools and programs may require test scores from one or more of the following examinations. Contact the school to which you are applying or check the information in their bulletin to find out what you must take. When you register for the test(s), request that your test scores be forwarded to the institution(s) you have chosen. You may also make this request, in writing, at a later date if you want to add more schools as test score recipients. These tests should be taken within two years of your anticipated enrollment in classes. Schools typically retain test scores for only one year, discarding them if no other action has been taken towards admittance to their program.
- GRE - GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION - Tests offered by the GRE program include a general test and subject tests. The general test measures writing, verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning skills. Subject tests may be required and are available in 8 subject areas, measuring achievement in a particular subject area such as psychology or biology.
GRE Registration and Information bulletins are available at the Walter Young Center. Practice tests and sample questions are available on the GRE Web site.
GRE Web site: www.gre.org
or contact: GRE-ETS
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
phone: (866) 473-4373
e-mail: gre-info@ets.org
- GMAT- Graduate Management Admission Test - This examination is usually required for admission into an MBA (business and management) program. The GMAT measures verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills. Information and registration booklets are available at the Walter Young Center.
GMAT Web site: www.mba.com
or contact: Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6103
Princeton: NJ 08541-6103
phone: (609) 771-7330
e-mail: gmat@ets.org
- MAT- Miller Analogies Test - This test requires the solution to 100 problems stated as analogies. It is used as an assessment for general admission to many graduate schools and is offered at various times throughout the year. The fee (2004) is around $60.00, depending on the college or university. Controlled Testing Centers (CTCs) are located throughout the U.S. ; apply directly to the CTC of your choice. Two area test locations are UW-Milwaukee, phone (414) 229-4689 and Marquette University , phone (414) 288-7172. Contact them for fees, times and registration information.
MAT - Miller Analogies Test Web site: www.milleranalogies.com
or contact: Harcourt Assessment, Inc.
Miller Analogies Test
Customer Relations
19500 Bulverde Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78259
phone: (800) 622-3231
e-mail: scoring.services@harcourt.com
- LSAT-Law School Admissions Test - This test is required for admission to all law schools that are members of the Law School Administrations Council. Information and Registration bulletins are available from Dr. Lynne Bernier, MacAllister 003A.
LSAT Web site: www.lsat.org
or contact: Law School Admission Council
662 Penn St.
Box 2000
Newtown, PA 18940-0988
phone: (215) 968-1001
e-mail: Isacinfo@LSAC.org
- MCAT-Medical College Admission Test This test is required for admission to most medical schools and is scored in the following areas: verbal reasoning, physical science, writing samples, and biological science. Information and applications are available from the Carroll College Biology Department in Rankin Hall.
MCAT Web site: www.aamc.org/students/mcat/
or contact: MCAT Program Office
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City, IA 52243
phone: (319) 337-1357
e-mail: mcat@aamc.org
Upon Admittance
Upon admission to a graduate school program, the institution will provide you with the name of your advisor. Contact that individual as soon as possible to set up your course of study.
Congratulations on being admitted
and good luck!
To meet with a career counselor regarding any aspect of the graduate school application process, call 262-524-7335 or stop by the Walter Young Center and ask to set up a career appointment.
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