About.com Graduate School

How to Prepare for Comps

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:08:52 +0000

The prospect of studying for master's or doctoral comprehensive exams can be overwhelming. Cramming all there is to know about a field into your mind and being able to discuss it at a professional level is a huge accomplishment. So where do you begin? Here are some guidelines for preparing for comps.

Why Change?

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:23:55 +0000

Many prospective applicants to graduate school, ask: "Should I apply to the same university and department where I earned my undergraduate degree?" You certainly can, but do you want to? Graduate study entails expanding your horizons - intellectually and socially. Maybe a new start with new professors would help you enter this new phase in your education and life with more motivation. Novelty is exciting. Also, maybe you'll learn more when you meet new professors. You might be exposed to faculty with different perspectives, different pet theories, and different research interests... Faculty who simply are different. New and different are good. Embrace change - or at least honestly consider it.

Summer Tips for Graduate School Admissions

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:27:24 +0000

Fall is admissions season, but you can do a lot of leg work and preparation now to ensure that you're ready to apply to graduate school. Here are 5 things that you can do now to prepare for graduate school admissions.

A Simpler FAFSA

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:18:30 +0000

If you've ever completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you know that it's incredibly long, tedious, and just plain confusing. Many students and parents find the form difficult to complete and skip questions, enter incorrect information, or make other errors that jeopardize students chances for aid. No longer! The New York Times reports that the Obama administration is simplifying the form by eliminating many redundant questions (20% of all questions!) in next years form, available in January 2010. Learn more about the FAFSA.

Tackle the GRE Verbal Section

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:51:26 +0000

The GRE is dreaded by most applicants to graduate school, myself included. But remember: an advanced college student has the skills to perform well on the GRE, a more advanced SAT course. Particularly on the Verbal Section, if you've read throughout college and worked to expand your knowledge, you should be in good shape for the Verbal Section of the GRE. That said, preparation and good use of strategies always helps. Try these.

Reward Yourself.....and Don't Beat Yourself Up

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:13:44 +0000

Appealing as it might be, you are not a robot. Why appealing? Robots are so efficient! When it's time to work, they work. When it's time off, they stand immobile, staring into the distance. People don't work like that. You will have good work days and bad work days. Some days the words will come quickly, the writing will flow, and you'll fly though your tasks with time to spare. Yesterday I was that person - I completed my to-do list and more. Today? Nope. Recognize that energy and work ebbs and flows. Don't beat yourself up when it's a bit slow. However, don't slack.

So what do you do on those days when the words aren't coming and tasks aren't being completed fast enough? Put your time in. Use the timer trick. But also reward yourself for sticking with your tasks. When it's time for a reward, set your timer for a short break (no more than 15 minutes) and then do whatever interests you. Read blogs, play a short video game, answer email, or, better yet, step away from the screen to rest your eyes and stretch your legs.

About Comprehensive Exams

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:44:04 +0000

When I started grad school, I was pretty clueless about what I had gotten myself into. I knew I'd take courses. And write a dissertation, whatever that was. But I didn't know that I'd have to pass comps. Many students are surprised to learn that passing all of their classes isn't enough to advance them to the status of doctoral candidate, permitting them to begin their dissertation. Instead, it's the comprehensive examination that serves as the gatekeeper to the doctoral dissertation and often the master's thesis as well.

Stay Fresh

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:53:17 +0000

For most of us, the semester has a rhythm. It gets busy, yes, but our days are predictable and coursework, meetings, and other responsibilities provide structure. What happens when you remove the structure? Many of us find ourselves working independently, often at home, during the summer. Certainly there's the potential to get off track and lose time. But today I want to talk about the flip side of that problem: Working too much. Is it possilble to work too much? You bet!

What are the signs of working too much?

Not taking breaks
Working all waking hours
Working at night
Never turning your computer off
Missing meals
Not showering until evening
Being constantly exhausted

Why is working too much bad for you? To make light of it: You'll fry your brain! Without taking regular intervals of time off you'll ultimately be less productive. Schedule breaks. Schedule an end time for each work period. And stick to your schedule. You may not want to stop when you're on a roll, but it will be easier to get in the groove again later if you stop half-way through a task. Follow your schedule and also take time off - at least one day off each week. You'll be mentally fresh and ready to do some of your best work. Taking time off is not slacking - it's healthy. It took me a long time to learn that!

Graduate School Admissions Tests

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:26:11 +0000

Wannabe graduate students take note: Standardized admissions exams, like the GRE, MCAT, LSAT and GMAT, are required to apply to graduate school in all areas, with a few program-specific exceptions. All require some planning. Some are only offered a few times a year and others must be scheduled. No matter what exam you take, you'll need to learn about it and prepare ahead of time. What are the various standardized admissions exams and which is right for you?

Is it ever too late to go to graduate school?

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:12:23 +0000

Laid off after more than a decade in the corporate world, a reader asks, "At 42 years of age, is it too late for a career in science? I stayed with the job for it's fantastic pay. That's over and I've always wanted to make new discoveries. Is it too late to go to graduate school?"

The quick answer is no. It�s never too late to learn new things and carve out a new career path. But it's not as easy as it would be straight out of college or a couple of years in the working world.

First, what are the graduate program's requirements? Particular major, coursework, experiences? Carefully consider your background and skill set. Do you have the basics? If not, what can you do to enhance your application. You might take classes in statistics, for example, or volunteer to work in a faculty member's lab.

Second, your application. Rock the GRE to ensure that you're well above the average GRE scores and any listed requirements. When it comes to recommendation letters, there are a variety of options, but be sure to get some from your employers as they have a current perspective of your work habits and skills.

Third, know what you're getting in for. It's not glamorous and not always interesting. Graduate school is hard work . You'll be broke. A research assistantship and fellowship can pay for your tuition and offer a small stipend but you're not supporting a family on it. Think about how you'll manage your family responsibilities. That said, there are many students who combine grad school and family quire successfully.