10/1 Readin Notes - Applying to Graduate School: A Guide and Workbook


TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • This Guide

  • What is an Advanced Degree?

  • Identifying Academic and Professional Goals

  • Introduction

  • Graduate School References

  • What is Graduate School?

  • Choosing a Degree

  • Researching Schools/Programs

  • Graduate Admissions Requirements

  • Application Process and Timeline

  • Financing Your Degree and Navigating Offers

  • Campus and Online Resources

  • References and Credits

INTRODUCTION

  • Congratulations on your interest in pursuing a graduate school education! Applying to advanced degree and credential programs can be daunting, requiring time, resources, and organization.

  • Objective of the Guide:

    • Help demystify the process of exploring, preparing for, and applying to graduate and credential programs.

    • Share information, highlight tips and strategies, and provide reflective, investigative, and organizational activities.

  • By the end of this guide, you should be able to:

    • Verbalize your professional and academic goals

    • Identify graduate/credential programs of interest

    • Summarize application materials and requirements

    • Define your own personal timeline and deadlines

    • Name UC Davis resources and support

WHAT IS AN ADVANCED DEGREE?

  • Definition:

    • A graduate degree is an example of an advanced degree that goes beyond the baccalaureate, typically a master’s (M.A., M.S.) or doctorate (Ph.D.).

    • Other advanced degrees can include a Juris Doctor (J.D.) for law or a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) for medicine.

  • Admission Requirement:

    • Must hold a four-year degree from an accredited program to enter an advanced degree program, including graduate school.

  • Purpose of Pursuing an Advanced Degree:

    • In some professions (e.g., law, social work, physical therapy), an advanced degree is mandatory.

    • In other cases, it may serve to:

    • Develop further expertise in an area

    • Enhance competition in the job market

    • Advance one’s career

    • Increase earning potential.

  • **Reflective Questions to Consider:

    • What passions drive your actions?

    • What strengths do you possess?

    • What mission guides your pursuits?

    • What can you offer society and the world?**

IDENTIFYING ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS

  1. Verbalizing Goals: If you can articulate the academic and professional goals leading you to explore graduate school, that's excellent! If not, consider strategies and campus resources:

    • Meet with a pre-graduate or pre-law advisor at the Student Academic Success Center.

    • Attend office hours for a teaching assistant (TA) or professor and inquire about their academic and career paths.

    • Schedule a career counseling appointment with the Internship and Career Center.

    • Contact a working professional and arrange an informational interview.

    • Attend a study skills appointment or the workshop on Achieving Your Goals.

  2. Goal Identification Exercise:

  • Write down current professional & academic goals:

    • My current professional interests/goals: _

    • My current academic interests/goals:

    • Reflect on reasons for pursuing an advanced degree relating to these goals:
      ___

    • Investigate educational requirements and preferences for three ideal job positions.

WHAT IS GRADUATE SCHOOL?

  • Graduate school offers master’s degrees and doctorate degrees, focusing on mastery-level both in theoretical knowledge of a subject and applied or professional knowledge.

    • Types of Graduate Programs:

    • Research-based Master’s Degree:

      • Includes original research project (thesis).

    • Professional Master’s Degree:

      • Often requires practical components (e.g., practicum hours).

  • Common degree types:

    • Master’s of Art (M.A.)

    • Master’s of Science (M.S.)

    • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), aimed at original research.

    • Professional Doctorates (e.g., Ed.D., Psy.D.).

MAKING YOURSELF COMPETITIVE

  • To be a competitive applicant, consider achievements beyond grades:

    • Participate in undergraduate research programs.

    • Join undergraduate research cohorts or apply for fellowships/grants.

    • Engage in hands-on internships relevant to intended profession.

    • Develop leadership skills and advocate for causes.

  • Common Myths:

    • Myth 1: "I'm a first year/sophomore; I have plenty of time before I need to prepare for graduate school."

    • Myth 2: "I can't do graduate-level work until I start graduate school."

    • Myth 3: "I have to stay in the same discipline for graduate school."

    • Myth 4: "I have to have research experience to get into graduate school."

    • Myth 5: "If I have a low GPA, I won't get into graduate programs."

CHOOSING A DEGREE

  • Degree Comparison: Master’s degrees versus Doctoral degrees

  • Consider earning a master’s if:

    • You want advanced coursework and specialized training.

    • Career advancement requires it.

    • You wish to teach at the community college level.

  • Consider pursuing a doctorate if:

    • You desire expert-level knowledge.

    • Major career goals include research or university-level teaching.

RESEARCHING SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS

  • Investigate programs based on professional goals.

  • Consider program accreditation, competitiveness, graduation rates, job placement, and faculty research.

  • Utilize search engines and reach out network connections for information.

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

  • Typical core components:

    • Online application

    • Transcripts

    • GRE scores

    • Letters of recommendation

    • Essays (e.g., statement of purpose)

    • CV or resume

  • Transcripts:

    • Distinguish between GPA types (overall vs. major).

    • Self-report GPA in applications and submit verified transcripts when requested.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

  • Develop a personalized timeline considering goals and options for applying immediately or taking a gap year.

  • For a gap year:

    • Opportunities to gain professional experience and network.

  • Sample timeline for application steps.

FINANCING YOUR DEGREE AND NAVIGATING OFFERS

  • Explore funding options: fellowships, grants, and loans.

  • Funded vs. Non-Funded Programs:

    • Understand program specifics concerning funding support (tuition remission, stipends).

CAMPUS AND ONLINE RESOURCES

  • Various campus resources listed, including:

    • Internship and Career Center

    • Pre-Graduate/Professional Advising

    • Student Academic Success Center

    • Graduate Preparation Programs

    • GRE Fee Reduction assistance

    • Online Testing Service

REFERENCES AND CREDITS

  • Authorship and licensing credit noted based on UC Davis resources.