Thinking about
Graduate School: key steps in the process
By Kristin Bishop
September 9, 2005 | As a
broke and worn-out college student, the finances and
time available for graduate school seem unfeasible.
Whether a student hopes to pursue Law school, Medical
school, Dental school, or a Master's degree, the daunting
task of filing an application scares some of the most
qualified students away. Frequently it is the fear of
the complicated process that causes the most hesitation
and discouragement. Shockingly the process is very simple
and possible if you follow a few key tips. Who knows,
maybe graduate school could be in your future.
First, preparing for and taking
one of the various admittance tests. This aspect is
usually the first item of business when considering
graduate school. You can find multiple books full of
advice, practice questions and previous exams at any
major bookstore, such as Borders or Barnes & Noble.
Help books are a great way to study up and get a feel
for the type of exam you will be taking. The majority
of books also include past tests for your convenience.
This allows you to take it personally and evaluate your
score at home. By doing so you can determine where to
direct your studies and recognize your strengths and
weaknesses. It is also important to consider taking
a short study course with a professional teacher. The
majority of universities have brochures and contact
numbers for those interested in a course. The university
may also teach a course of its own which is usually
a more affordable choice than the Kaplan or other nationally
renowned programs. After completing the exam and evaluating
your score you'll have a better idea of which direction
to go. Occasionally, a student chooses to take a graduate
school admittance test multiple times to raise their
score. In this case, some nation-wide courses like the
Kaplan, although expensive, will allow you to re-take
the course for free until you are satisfied with your
performance. This can be a very helpful tool in reaching
your desired score and your ultimate goal.
Second, the financial stress and
obligation graduate school brings. Obtaining the finances
to attend graduate school, which is often out-of-state,
causes a lot of concern for most. What most fail to
recognize is the ease in which you can obtain information
on loan eligibility. The minute an individual takes
a graduate school admittance exam, such as the LSAT
or MCAT, they will begin to receive mailings containing
tons of loan information. These mailings are very helpful
in providing phone numbers and contacts for you to then
gather even more information. The majority of schools
also offer counselor's who devote their time to helping
you finance your dream of continuing your education.
The Utah Higher Education Authority (UHEA) also offers
very low interest rates that allow you to qualify for
a fixed rate on all loans. The UHEA also takes into
consideration the cost of living, in addition to the
cost of tuition and books. This is very useful and will
provide extra loan money to insure your ability to pay
rent and meet various other needs while attending school.
It is also helpful to keep in mind that most graduate
schools provide hundreds of scholarships to help with
tuition costs. Researching and contacting the school
of your choice will result in a plethora of information
and most are very willing to help you succeed in your
hope to attend.
Third, the move often associated
with graduate school. Attending graduate school often
means relocation. This aspect can be the most emotionally
and mentally draining. If you are a person who loves
change, this aspect will be the most exciting. Either
way, this aspect brings with it a lot of preparation
and work.
"We did some major downsizing,"
Nate Putnam, a newly accepted medical student, said.
"Moving all your belongings from Utah to Virginia is
quite a process, so we decided to sale the majority
of it and plan to buy new after we arrive."
A key tip is to consider downsizing,
especially, if you are married or have any children.
This prevents the stress and costs associated with hiring
a moving service or U-Haul to travel across the country.
Many newly accepted graduate school students from Utah
State suggested getting together for a garage sale.
This allows you to travel lightly and still have the
cash to look for used furniture and necessities once
you arrive. The stress of finding an apartment can also
be a huge part of relocating. Once again, the school
is a great tool that is full of information. Every graduate
school will provide prospective students with a catalog
and brochure full of renter's information for that area.
The brochure often contains a poll of current and past
student's opinions of great places to live, local apartment
complexes, houses that are for sale, and even on campus
living accommodations. This is a great jumping off point,
and provides a sound base for you to work from. It also
gives you the general idea of where most students choose
to live, which is helpful if you're moving to a new
city.
"The garage sale worked
great for us," Cameron Phipps, a recently accepted medical
student, said. "Having two small children makes moving
to Iowa even more stressful. It would have been extremely
expensive to move all of our belongings."
Lastly, have confidence in your
abilities. Attending graduate school is an ambitious
goal that takes a great deal of preparation, financial
planning, organization, and studying. On the other hand,
the benefits are countless and the hard work is worth
it. If you're interested in applying to graduate school,
keep focused and persistent. Research all your options
so you can properly assess which are the most cost-effective
routes to success.
RM
RM
|
