About.com Graduate School

How Graduate Admissions Committees Process Graduate School Applications

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:11:20 +0000

You've submitted your application. Now what? What does the graduate admissions committee do? How do they process and make decisions about applications?

How Graduate Admissions Committees Process Graduate School Applications originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 05:11:20.

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What to Do Before You Write Your Graduate Admissions Essay

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:14:58 +0000

The admissions essay is one of the most important parts of your graduate school application. Don't simply churn it out. Take time to reflect on yourself - your characteristics, strengths, and goals - and gather the information that you need to write a stellar essay.

What to Do Before You Write Your Graduate Admissions Essay originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 06:14:58.

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No Growth in Enrollment of International Graduate Students

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:24:10 +0000

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) reported that after 4 years of growth, there was no growth in first time enrollment of international students at U.S. graduate schools during 2008-2009. That said, total enrollment of international graduate students rose 2%. (First-time and total enrollment trends differ due to the varying length of time required to complete graduate degrees, particularly doctorates.) The full report is available from the Council of Graduate Schools.

No Growth in Enrollment of International Graduate Students originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 06:24:10.

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Colleges Continue to See New H1N1 Cases

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:22:09 +0000

Virtually all of the 265 colleges and universities monitored by the American College Health Association reported new cases of H1N1 illnesses last week.

Learn more:�

H1N1 Symptoms

H1N1 FAQ

Colleges Continue to See New H1N1 Cases originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 06:22:09.

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How to Find an Online Graduate Program

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:49:01 +0000

Aspiring graduate students have more options than ever before. Until recently, students who wished to pursue a graduate education often were forced to relocate in order to live near school or they often faced long commutes to far away campuses. Today many students relocate or commute, but a growing number of students avoid the common geographic challenges of graduate study and instead enroll in online graduate programs. If you're considering graduate study it may be worth your time to at least consider distance education. The first step is to locate online graduate degree programs. Learn about how online classes typically work. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of pursing an online graduate degree and carefully consider each program.

How to Find an Online Graduate Program originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 06:49:01.

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Love science, but can't see yourself going the PhD route?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:33:45 +0000

Professional science master's degree programs provide a multidisciplinary education that typically includes courses in business and management rather than total immersion in a narrow field of research. Graduates end up very well rounded with training in science and an advanced grasp of business - and very employable. Graduate school officials are urging Congress to fund the development of more professional science master's degree programs.

Love science, but can't see yourself going the PhD route? originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 09:33:45.

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Considering a Graduate Degree in Social Work?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:33:34 +0000

Check out the MSW and PhD programs at Washington University in. St Louis.

Considering a Graduate Degree in Social Work? originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 20:33:34.

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Master's Program Rankings?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:25:02 +0000

Every year several publications post lists of "top" graduate schools, but nearly all refer to doctoral programs. A reader asks, "I see national rankings for doctoral programs, but not master's. What do I do?"

Master's Program Rankings? originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 05:25:02.

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Scientist to Life Coach?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:02:56 +0000

A graduate degree opens many doors. Some graduates learn that their chosen field isn't for them - or that a career in academia isn't what they really want. In this article from the Chronicle of Higher Education Susan Basalla May interviews a biologist who made a major career change and became a life coach. Also see: Redefining Success

Scientist to Life Coach? originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 06:02:56.

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Should I Ask My Therapist for a Recommendation Letter?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:01:19 +0000

A reader asks:

I am about 3 years out of school and am applying to Clinical Psychology PhD programs. I'm not asking any of my old professors because it's been too long and I don't think they can write helpful letters. Instead I'm asking an employer and a colleague. My question is whether I should get a recommendation letter from my therapist. She would be able to speak very favorably of me. What should I do?

A letter from a therapist is not a good idea. It will not help your application. Recommendation letters speak to the student's academic competence. Effective letters are written by professionals who have worked with you in an academic capacity. Helpful letters discuss specific experiences and competencies that support an applicant's preparation for the academic and professional tasks entailed in graduate study. The graduate admissions committee will deem a letter from your therapist as inappropriate as it's based on a therapeutic relationship rather than an academic relationship. I can't stress enough the importance of an effective recommendation letter for admission to any graduate program. Clinical psychology, however, is one of the most competitive fields for graduate admissions, so the bar is set higher.

So what do you do? An effective referee can talk about your skills. A letter from your employer and colleague may be appropriate if they detail your capacities for academic work (and include concrete examples as support). You may think that your professors don't remember you (and they might not), but profs are used to hearing from graduates with requests for recommendation letters. Try.

Should I Ask My Therapist for a Recommendation Letter? originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 06:01:19.

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