GRADUATE SCHOOL
General
Information
The
purpose of graduate school is to provide a general education in
any number of professional careers. There is a broad range
of programs available to acquire through the completion of a graduate
program including M.S., M.A., M.Phil., PhD, or ED. The typical
graduate program consists of two parts, the first being about a
years worth of structured coursework, the second being a year of
work towards a thesis. Typically individuals will select a graduate
major that is in-line with their undergraduate program, and they
have options for attending full time or part time. The need-to-know
information is presented below
The
Basics of the GRE
The
GRE or graduate record exam is an entrance exam used by most schools
to serve as a requirement for admission into a selected program.
It consists of 3 sections, Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical.
Each section is scored on a scale between 200 to 800. Average
scores include a 480 Verbal, 550 Quantitative, and a 520 Analytical.
Something to note, the GRE is offered as a general test, but also
has several subject tests, which some schools require you take in
addition to the general test.
The
GRE is exclusively administered through the computer (CBT-Computer
Based Test), which means you need to set up an appointment with
a testing center to take it. The GRE test questions are scored
by adapting to your skill level. For example it will ask you a
average level question, if you get it right, the next question will
be harder, if you get it wrong then the next question will be easier.
GRE test preparation materials are available
HERE.
The
Application Process
The application process can be a mystery at times. The process
is made up of a number of different parts working together to show
a university that you have what it takes to succeed. Note also
that schools have set deadlines for completed applications-find
them out so you don’t miss out. The various components are listed
below (please note, not all schools require all this information,
but this is a guide as to what to expect).
Acceptable
GRE Scores |
Official copy of your transcripts |
Letters
of Recommendations |
A
Personal Statement |
Short
Essays |
A
Resume |
An
Interview |
|
Frequently
Asked Questions
By
Christopher Volpe, Ph.D.
Assistant
Vice President, Graduate Courses
The
Princeton Review
When
should I take the GRE?
Find
out the admission deadlines for the graduate schools to which you
are applying. Then work backwards so that you take the GRE at least
6 months before your earliest deadline. This gives you some extra
time for unexpected delays in case you need to take the test again.
You can only take the test once per calendar month. And keep in
mind that it can take as long as four weeks for your official scores
to arrive at your designated schools. Some testing months are more
popular than others, so it is very important to register early.
The GRE can be taken on nearly any day except Sundays and major
holidays.
Do
you have to get a master’s degree before a Ph.D.?
No.
Graduate degrees are not like promotions-you don’t need to go through
one to reach the next level. In fact, three out of four Ph.D.s
do not have a master’s degree. Some doctoral candidates (graduate
students working towards a Ph.D.) elect to complete the requirements
for a master’s degree along the way as an “insurance degree” in
case they to not complete the Ph.D. requirements.
I’ve
heard that grad students go to school for free and also get paid.
Is this true?
Master’s
students and part-time doctoral students usually pay tuition and
do not receive a stipend. However, most full-time doctoral students
receive a stipend in the range of $10,000 - $15,000 per year. In
addition, their tuition is paid for by departmental research funds.
In contrast, business, medical, and law schools do not offer students
any salary or stipend. Instead, these students have to fork over
$5,000 - $35,000 per year for tuition and fees.
How
much teaching will I have to do while pursuing my degree?
Master’s
students don’t have to teach, but they may be given the opportunity
in order to offset some of their tuition costs. Full-time
doctoral students often teach half of the academic terms during
their first and second years. After that, it really depends on
the research funds of your advisor. If your “group” is well-funded,
then you may be off the hook because any research grants that your
advisor receives can cover your stipend and tuition. If not, you’ll
probably have to teach throughout your graduate career.
Back
to
Graduate
Schools :
Students
:
Home
|
