Graduate and Graduate and Professional SchoolProfessional School

Agenda for TodayAgenda for Today

Graduate or professional schoolGraduate or professional school How to decideHow to decide The applicationThe application Course requirementsCourse requirements Admission tests & essaysAdmission tests & essays Letters of reference & interviewsLetters of reference & interviews Financial aidFinancial aid

Graduate SchoolGraduate School (academic)(academic)

Doctoral degrees (5-7 yrs.)Doctoral degrees (5-7 yrs.)• Ph.D. Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)(Doctor of Philosophy)

• Some examples are:Some examples are: Ph.D. in French LiteraturePh.D. in French Literature Ph.D. in Social PsychologyPh.D. in Social Psychology Ph.D. in Political SciencePh.D. in Political Science Ph.D. in Biomedical SciencesPh.D. in Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. in Structural EngineeringPh.D. in Structural Engineering Ph.D. in Art HistoryPh.D. in Art History

Academic Master’s Academic Master’s

1 to 3 years1 to 3 years M.A. (Master of Arts)M.A. (Master of Arts)

• History, International Relations, English LiteratureHistory, International Relations, English Literature

M.S. (Master of Science)M.S. (Master of Science)• Chemistry, Biology, Math, PsychologyChemistry, Biology, Math, Psychology

M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts)M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts)• Theatre, Music, Art, Dance, Creative WritingTheatre, Music, Art, Dance, Creative Writing

Academic Ph.D.’sAcademic Ph.D.’s WHY?WHY?

In-depth knowledge in one field - you must love it !In-depth knowledge in one field - you must love it !Begins lifelong process of becoming a scholarBegins lifelong process of becoming a scholarLeads to college teaching & research careersLeads to college teaching & research careersCan go directly from B.A. or B.S. degree (typically)Can go directly from B.A. or B.S. degree (typically)

WHAT?WHAT?

Seminars, papers, labs in science (2-3 years)Seminars, papers, labs in science (2-3 years)Comprehensive or qualifying examComprehensive or qualifying examChoose research topic & faculty advisorChoose research topic & faculty advisorResearch (2-4 years; length depends on field)Research (2-4 years; length depends on field)Dissertation writing & oral defenseDissertation writing & oral defense

Academic Master’s ProgramsAcademic Master’s Programs WHY?WHY?

To be more competitive for Ph.D. admission, orTo be more competitive for Ph.D. admission, orTo learn more about a fieldTo learn more about a field

Generally not preparation for a profession:Generally not preparation for a profession:except in:  engineering, fine arts, music, writingexcept in:  engineering, fine arts, music, writing

WHAT?WHAT?

Courses & seminars, laboratoriesCourses & seminars, laboratoriesResearch methodology coursesResearch methodology coursesComprehensive examComprehensive examResearch project or thesis (variable)Research project or thesis (variable)

Professional SchoolProfessional School

Doctoral degreesDoctoral degreesJ.D., M.D., Pharm.D., Psy.D., D.D.S., Ed.D.J.D., M.D., Pharm.D., Psy.D., D.D.S., Ed.D.

Masters degreesMasters degreesM.S.W., M.P.H., M.B.A., M.P.T., M.F.A., M.Ed.M.S.W., M.P.H., M.B.A., M.P.T., M.F.A., M.Ed.

Certificate, credentialCertificate, credentialPhysician assistant, teacher, paralegalPhysician assistant, teacher, paralegal

Some professional degrees:Some professional degrees:

law, business, international affairslaw, business, international affairs

medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy,medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy,physical & occupational therapy,physical & occupational therapy,dietetics, genetic counselingdietetics, genetic counseling

public health, public policy, city planningpublic health, public policy, city planning

social work, counseling, marriage/familysocial work, counseling, marriage/familyclinical/counseling/school psychologyclinical/counseling/school psychology

graphic arts, architecture, designgraphic arts, architecture, design

Professional ProgramsProfessional Programs Leads directly to work in the fieldLeads directly to work in the field

2 to 4 + years2 to 4 + years

Courses, seminars, research methodsCourses, seminars, research methods

Comprehensive examComprehensive exam

Fieldwork, internship req. for some Fieldwork, internship req. for some -during and/or after the program-during and/or after the program

Thesis or research projectThesis or research project-not required for all programs-not required for all programs

Licensing exam (after the program)Licensing exam (after the program)-requirement to practice in some -requirement to practice in some

professionsprofessions

Before You DecideBefore You Decide Are you qualified?Are you qualified?

Don’t go without clear goals!Don’t go without clear goals!

How will the degree help you?How will the degree help you?

Make sure you are committed!Make sure you are committed!

How will you pay for it?How will you pay for it?

OK, but what field?OK, but what field? Related to your major?Related to your major?

Related to your career goal?Related to your career goal?

Related to your experience?Related to your experience?

Related to your interests/values/skills?Related to your interests/values/skills?

Do you need related experience first?Do you need related experience first?

Will it prepare you for desired job?Will it prepare you for desired job?

Will it fulfill you?Will it fulfill you?

Reasons Reasons NotNot to go: to go: Can’t find a jobCan’t find a job

Can’t decide on career goalCan’t decide on career goal

Avoid loan paybackAvoid loan payback

Parents want you toParents want you to

““Everyone else is doing it!”Everyone else is doing it!”

Can’t figure what else to doCan’t figure what else to do

After you decide, then what?After you decide, then what?

Choose schoolsChoose schools

Check out admission requirementsCheck out admission requirements

Develop a timelineDevelop a timeline

Choosing the right programChoosing the right program Consult faculty (for Ph.D. programs)Consult faculty (for Ph.D. programs)

Research schools on the web:Research schools on the web:-- -- career.ucsd.educareer.ucsd.edu

Reference books, catalogs, rankingsReference books, catalogs, rankings

The school’s or department’s focusThe school’s or department’s focus

Academic & professional journalsAcademic & professional journals

Visit schools if you canVisit schools if you can

Talk to counselors at 4-year collegesTalk to counselors at 4-year colleges

TimelineTimeline Narrow your interestsNarrow your interests

Find programs that matchFind programs that match

Complete their course requirements (if any)Complete their course requirements (if any)

Contact departments or schoolsContact departments or schools

Request school/depart. informationRequest school/depart. information

Prepare for & take admission testPrepare for & take admission test

Request reference lettersRequest reference letters

Have official transcripts sentHave official transcripts sent

Write application essaysWrite application essays

Send applicationsSend applications

Prepare for interviews (if req.)Prepare for interviews (if req.)

Course RequirementsCourse Requirements

Check with schools re: substitutionsCheck with schools re: substitutions

Finish before entering?Finish before entering?

What if you have B.A. in different What if you have B.A. in different field? field? (e.g., from History to Political Science?)(e.g., from History to Political Science?)

Can you take grad courses before Can you take grad courses before entering?entering?

GPA IssuesGPA Issues Cumulative, orCumulative, or

Last two years’ GPALast two years’ GPA

Community college + UCSDCommunity college + UCSD

GPA in required coursesGPA in required courses

Upward GPA trends helpUpward GPA trends help

Repeated coursesRepeated courses

Explain any “irregularities” on your applicationExplain any “irregularities” on your application

Admission TestsAdmission Tests General aptitude, or content-based?General aptitude, or content-based?

General GRE, DAT, GMAT on computerGeneral GRE, DAT, GMAT on computer

Subject GRE, LSAT, MCAT on paper onlySubject GRE, LSAT, MCAT on paper only

Preparation Preparation (courses, books, self-prep)(courses, books, self-prep)

Test’s role in admission processTest’s role in admission process

Take test well before school deadlinesTake test well before school deadlines

Repeating the test Repeating the test (LSAT is averaged)(LSAT is averaged)

ApplyingApplying

Mostly done onlineMostly done online Apply to individual schools, orApply to individual schools, or On a system-wide application, orOn a system-wide application, or To an application serviceTo an application service Save a printed copy for yourselfSave a printed copy for yourself

Applications Include:Applications Include:

Application essay Application essay (incl. related experience)(incl. related experience)

Transcripts Transcripts (from all colleges attended)(from all colleges attended)

Test scoresTest scores Reference lettersReference letters Can require interviewCan require interview Can require a sample of your workCan require a sample of your work

• Papers, art portfolio, publications, etc.Papers, art portfolio, publications, etc.• Mainly in the arts, sciences & humanities areasMainly in the arts, sciences & humanities areas

Application EssaysApplication Essays Personal statementPersonal statement (professional school)(professional school)

--you as a personyou as a person-related and other experience -related and other experience -your motivation & goals-your motivation & goals

-challenges you overcame -challenges you overcame

Statement of purposeStatement of purpose (graduate school)(graduate school)

--your academic & research your academic & research - experience & goals- experience & goals

ExperienceExperience Some schools require it:Some schools require it:

• teaching, clinical, research, related exp.teaching, clinical, research, related exp.

• Other schools prefer it:Other schools prefer it: community service, leadership, volunteercommunity service, leadership, volunteer

Do you have enough?Do you have enough?

e.g., 2 - 4 years FT work exp. pre- M.B.A.;e.g., 2 - 4 years FT work exp. pre- M.B.A.;some research exp. pre-Ph.D.some research exp. pre-Ph.D.

Reference Letters:Reference Letters:

Usually three are neededUsually three are needed

May be able to send moreMay be able to send more

Academic programs:Academic programs:-faculty & researchers-faculty & researchers

Professional programs:Professional programs:-faculty, research, work, volunteer-faculty, research, work, volunteer

When Soliciting LettersWhen Soliciting Letters

Call or email firstCall or email first

Meet in person to askMeet in person to ask

Bring:Bring:

• transcript, resume or list;transcript, resume or list;application essay;application essay;work sampleswork samples

Send thank-you noteSend thank-you note

Your Work SamplesYour Work Samples Research paperResearch paper

Honors thesisHonors thesis

Journal articleJournal article

Portfolio  -  for arts programsPortfolio  -  for arts programs-slides-slides-photos-photos-videotape-videotape

InterviewsInterviews Some teaching credential programsSome teaching credential programs

Some mental health programsSome mental health programs

All medical & health programsAll medical & health programs

Some MBA programsSome MBA programs

Some science Ph.D. programsSome science Ph.D. programs

School vs. regionalSchool vs. regional

Who pays?Who pays?

Interview PreparationInterview Preparation research the fieldresearch the field

anticipate the questionsanticipate the questions

practice your answerspractice your answers

know yourself & your experienceknow yourself & your experience

read your application carefullyread your application carefully

dress appropriately (no green hair!!)dress appropriately (no green hair!!)

what questions you can askwhat questions you can ask

send a thank-you notesend a thank-you note

Online Application ServicesOnline Application Services Required for law, medicine, dentistryRequired for law, medicine, dentistry

For a For a feefee, they send the schools:, they send the schools:

• Your scoresYour scores• Your transcriptsYour transcripts• Your essayYour essay• Some send your reference letters tooSome send your reference letters too• You follow up with school applicationsYou follow up with school applications

Financing the program:Financing the program: Academic graduate:Academic graduate:

--research & teaching assistantshipsresearch & teaching assistantships-fellowships (school & other)-fellowships (school & other)-work study & loans-work study & loans

Professional:Professional:--some fellowships & scholarshipssome fellowships & scholarships-mostly loans, work & savings-mostly loans, work & savings-some loan forgiveness (e.g., law)-some loan forgiveness (e.g., law)

Military scholarships for health Military scholarships for health professionsprofessions

Good ResourcesGood Resources

Career.ucsd.eduCareer.ucsd.edu • Good career and school informationGood career and school information

** ** UCSD Grad School FairUCSD Grad School Fair each Octobereach October

** ** UCSD Law School FairUCSD Law School Fair each Novembereach November

(Check (Check career.ucsd.educareer.ucsd.edu for dates and times) for dates and times)

Appts. with Sue McPhatterAppts. with Sue McPhatterin the Transfer Centerin the Transfer Center

Tuesdays, 9 to 3 p.m.Tuesdays, 9 to 3 p.m.

Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.

Good LuckGood Luck with your education with your education

and your career !!and your career !!