Bryant University - Graduate school
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This document provides guidance for Bryant University students considering graduate school. It outlines important questions to consider about motivation, goals, and affordability. It recommends researching programs and careers, speaking to advisors, and developing application materials like statements of purpose over a year in advance. The ideal timeline suggests starting research in junior year and applying in senior year. Resources like the Amica Career Center, faculty, and graduate fairs can help with the process.
Bryant University - Graduate school
- 1. Considering Graduate School for Arts & Sciences Bryant University Amica Center for Career Education
- 2. Ask Yourself: •Am I motivated to go to graduate school right now? •Do I know what I want to study? •Can I “get in” to the school I want? •Do I have time to research and apply? •How will grad school help me succeed? •Can I afford it? •Am I willing to re-locate? Step #1 Consider: “Right” Decision & “Right” Time?
- 3. •If, by the end of Junior year you are still unsure of your career focus, consider deferring your graduate school plans for 1 year. •What is a GAP year? A Gap Year is the time after you graduate, before you start a traditional job or graduate school program. It can be a time to explore potential careers, build new skills, have a travel experience, do meaningful volunteer work or have an adventure! Ideally, your Gap Year experience should somehow relate to thenext step in your life’s goals. Consider a GAP year
- 4. Step #2: Know your goals, plan of study and long-term career focus Take time to figure out your short/long term goals: •Talk to your faculty •Meet with a Career Counselor in the Amica Career Center •Consider assessment tools to help clarify your interests, skills and values. •Research careers using resources such as: Myplan; Spotlight on Careers; Mynextmove
- 5. Step #3: Decide Where to Apply Do Your Research! Consider… •Specialization areas within program •Faculty expertise & ratio to # of students •Opportunities for research •Location , culture & “fit” •Reputation/ranking •% of students who complete program •Where graduates find jobs •Scholarships, fellowships, TA…
- 6. Resources for Researching Graduate Schools • gradschools.com • graduateschools.com • collegesource.org • petersons.com • princetonreview.com • graduateguide.com Sites specific to area of study are also helpful!
- 7. Step #4: Create an application checklist Official transcripts Graduate Admissions Tests Letters of recommendation Statement of Purpose Resume Interview (not always required) Application Fee
- 8. Requesting Official Transcripts • To request your Bryant Transcript got to: http://www.bryant.edu/transcript • Make sure you request an “official transcript” which insures confidentiality • Fees are charged
- 9. Graduate Admissions Tests: GRE ExamMost MS/MA/Ph.D. graduate programs require the GRE DETAILS • 3 parts: verbal, quantitative, and writing • Approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes long • Maximum score = 170 • Re-taking GRE – you can take 1 time per month. All scores reported, unless you cancel scores To register, visit www.gre.org (administered by ETS – Educational Testing Service)
- 10. Graduate Admissions Tests: LSAT Exam Law School Admission Test • Approximately 4 hours in length • Take by December for admission the following Fall. • Administered 4x each year • The three multiple-choice question types in the LSAT Reading Comprehension Analytical Reasoning Logical Reasoning Questions • Scores range between 120-180 • You can repeat the test, but all scores will be shown. Register through the: Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
- 11. Other Graduate Admissions Tests GMAT Typically required for admission to MBA graduate program Register through MBA.com MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) Typically required for admission to medical school Register through aamc.org
- 12. Letters of Recommendation Choose your recommenders thoughtfully • Do they know you well enough? • How much credibility are they likely to hold with the universities to which you are applying? • Are they likely to give you a positive reference?
- 13. Letters of Recommendation How many Letters? •Typically 3 •Tailor your references to your application package It’s all in the asking… •Give your recommender enough time •Make sure they are willing to write on your behalf! •Inform them about your graduate plans •Give them a copy of your resume •Keep in touch!
- 14. Statement of Purpose Include: •What has influenced your career path so far •Your professional interests •Short and long term career goals •How specific program will help you reach your goals Checklist: Grammatically perfect Succinctly written No spelling errors Make sure you Answer the Question!
- 15. Statement of Purpose Start writing early and plan for several drafts Have at least 3 people review: •Faculty (or someone who understands your area of study) •Amica Center for Career Education •Bryant Writing Center - Unistructure Room 275 Resource: statementofpurpose.com
- 16. Resume Tailor your resume to your application package! Don’t limit to 1 page –you are encouraged to have multiple pages, if relevant to your area of study. Common Categories • Education • Study Abroad/Languages • Related coursework/projects • Research/Presentations • Professional work/Internship Experience/Fellowships • Leadership, athletics, activities • Community involvement • Professional memberships/conferences
- 17. Interview •Typically with competitive graduate programs •Only finalists are asked to interview •Applicants pay own expenses PREPARE before each interview
- 18. Step #5: Financing Graduate School Fellowships Typically cover living expenses to facilitate research or work on a project. Awards usually based on academic merit. Assistantships Campus-affiliated work assignments (e.g. graduate teaching instructor, research associate) that provide a stipend and waive tuition. Scholarships Help pay for books, tuition, housing or other education-related expenses. Can be merit-based, need-based or career-specific. Grants Awarded to cover expenses associated with tuition, research or travel. Grants are typically need-based and do not need to be re-paid. Types of grants include: federal, state and graduate-school specific. Loans Money must be paid back. Available from government or private sources.
- 19. Financing Graduate School Resources: Scholarships.com Idealist – include the word “fellowships” in your search Profellow – a fellowship database Fastweb – list of fellowships Gradschools.com – list of funding resources USA Government Scholarships - – list of funding resources
- 20. Financing Graduate School More Resources: FinAid – student guide to financial aid Federal Student Aid for Graduate Studies College Grants Database Paying for Graduate School – US News & World Report
- 21. •Figure out your plan •Start your research •Talk to Bryant faculty •Register & study for tests •Build your resume: attend conferences, perform research •Network with faculty in grad programs you desire •Register for subject test •Finalize list of prospective schools •Contact your recommenders •Begin your statement of purpose •Request transcripts •Send recommenders extra materials •Contact schools and arrange campus visit Ideal Timeline October Senior Year October Senior Year Fall Semester Junior Year Fall Semester Junior Year Spring/Summer Junior Year Spring/Summer Junior Year August/Sept. Senior Year August/Sept. Senior Year
- 22. Ideal Timeline • Complete and submit all applications (earlier the better) • Verify that recommendations have been sent • Apply for assistantships • Focus on Financial aid, private loans, grants and fellowships • Continue campus visits and interviews • Send thank you notes after interviews • Once accepted, withdraw from applicant pool • Inform and thank references • Mail required deposit • Appeal aid package or apply for alternative loans CELEBRATE! December Senior Year December Senior Year January – March Senior Year January – March Senior Year April Senior Year April Senior Year
- 23. Tips for “Getting In” • Strong Grades • Connect with faculty at prospective universities • Network at Bryant • Conduct Research • Apply to at least 5 schools • Prepare for Tests • Promote Yourself
- 24. Additional Resources Postgraduate Programs - Amica Career Center website Graduate School Guide Fellowships Guide GAP Year Graduate School Fairs: Boston Idealist Grad Fair (September 29, 5-8PM – over 175 graduate schools represented) 2014 Law School Recruitment Forum (November 11, Noon-7PM) Other Fairs posted on Events Calendar
- 25. For Questions Contact: Amica Center for Career EducationLocated in the Unistructure, next to Salmanson Dining Hall Phone: (401) 232-6090 Email: [email protected] Website: http://career.bryant.edu/ •Bryant Career Connection (BCC) •Events Calendar Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM