Jobweb Career Library | Choosing a Graduate Program | Timeline for Applying
Application Process | Financing Graduate School

Graduate School

Graduate school is an opportunity to learn more about a particular discipline, enhance job and career satisfaction, increase earning or advancement potential, or meet the requirements for your chosen profession. There are several aspects to consider before applying, including knowing the specific interests, skills and values that may influence your decision. The application process may involve entrance exams, letters of recommendation, personal essays and more, depending on the program.

Whether you're just beginning to consider graduate school, are hesitant about the application process, or uncertain what program to pursue, you may want to take advantage of the helpful resources available on-line and at the Office of Career Services.

Graduate school advising is available by appointment. Pre-scheduling allows us to give you the attention you deserve. Students can schedule an appointment in-person at our office, by phone at 413-572-5206 or by email at careers@wsc.ma.edu .

Keep in mind that faculty in your academic discipline are also great resources concerning graduate study. Contact your academic advisor for more information.

Choosing a Graduate Program

The decision to attend graduate school is a complex one. You need to examine why you are attending graduate school. Are you simply prolonging the job search or do you need an advanced degree to enter your chosen field? Carefully examine your reasons for going to graduate school and make sure that you have a clear goal of what you hope to accomplish. Most people choose to attend graduate school to further advance their knowledge in a field or gain the education necessary to change careers or to advance professionally. Graduate school is very different from undergraduate study. Classes are much more focused, admission is more selective and there are higher standards expected from your academic work. The decision to attend should be well thought out.

There are a number of factors to take into account when thinking about graduate programs. Here are some to criteria to consider:

Fields of study offered
Reputation of the school and the program
Geographic location
Cost and financial assistance
Time required to complete degree
Surrounding community and college environment
Career assistance
Admission standards
Your personal circumstances (job and family considerations, etc.)
Research/Academic Focus
Size

Once you have determined what you are looking for in a graduate program, you should start searching for schools. Check out these websites for assistance in locating graduate programs:

Visit the Westfield State College Division of Graduate & Continuing Education for more information on the wide range of excellent graduate opportunities available here on campus. Click here for the WSC Graduate Catalog (PDF)

Timeline for Applying

Spring/Summer Before Applying

Identify graduate areas of study of interest
Locate graduate schools that have your program of interest. Some helpful resources include www.gradschools.com, www.petersons.com, and www.princetonreview.com
Request catalogs and application materials from potential graduate schools
Determine test requirements, prerequisites and application deadlines
Register and prepare for appropriate standardized test (GRE, MAT, GMAT, etc.)
Meet with faculty and career counselors to discuss graduate school options
Research financial aid options including scholarships, loans and assistantships
Contact faculty members at potential graduate schools to learn more about their program
Visit some of the graduate schools on your list

Fall Semester of Senior Year

Ask faculty in your department to write letters of recommendation. Provide them with your resume, transcript, deadlines for application, instructions for submitting, and stamped and addressed envelop

Request copies of your official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions that you have attended

Take standardized tests and have your scores sent directly to the schools

Write your personal statement for your applications. Have your statement reviewed by the Reading and Writing Center

Mail applications as early as possible

Apply for scholarships, fellowships, grants and assistantships

Spring Semester of Senior Year

Verify that your application materials were received and are complete
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Prepare for on-campus interviews, if required
Talk with family, faculty or a member of Career Services about acceptances and rejections
Make your decision and send in the deposit
Continue to apply for assistantships if needed

Application Process

Once you have narrowed down your list of possible graduate programs, it is time to begin the application process. Applying to graduate school requires forethought and careful planning. Graduate programs have different deadlines and procedures for applying, have minimum standardized test scores requirements, and often expect that you have taken certain undergraduate courses prior to admission. It is fundamental that you are knowledgeable on the application process of each program.

Application materials can be found on each program website or by contacting the graduate school. There are several major components in the application process:

Standardized Tests - Most graduate programs require that you take a standardized test as part of the application process. Departmental requirements vary by institution so be sure to clarify what is required by each. There are several tests used in graduate school admissions:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) The GRE consists of two parts: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test. The GRE General Test is required by most graduate schools and tests on verbal, mathematical, and analytical abilities. The GRE Subject Test focuses on a specific academic discipline and is sometimes requested in addition to the General Test.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT) The MAT is comprised of verbal analogies and is accepted by some graduate schools. The Miller Analogies Test is offered through the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education at Westfield State College.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

Veterinary College Admission Test

*Practice tests can be found in test preparation books in the Career Center Library or viewing www.testprepreview.com, www.kaptest.com, or the links above.

Personal Statement

The personal statement is your opportunity to express your commitment to the field, academic preparation and to articulate what you have to offer the program. For help on writing your personal statement, contact the Reading and Writing Center and check out these websites:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/p_perstate.html

http://gradschool.about.com/cs/essaywriting/a/essay.htm

Transcript
Many graduate schools will require an official transcript with your application. Requests for official transcripts can be made at the Registrar in Student Administrative Services, Building 333.

Letters of Recommendation

Typically three letters of recommendation are requested. Faculty often serve as references as they can attest to your ability to perform in the classroom, are knowledgeable on the schools and may have contacts in the department. Be sure to ask your recommenders in advance to ensure that they have the time to write the letter and meet the deadline for submission. Provide your recommender with the deadlines for application, instructions for submitting, stamped and addressed envelopes, a copy of your resume and your unofficial transcript. Also, maintain contact to discuss how the process is going and to ensure that the recommendation was submitted. It is always a nice gesture to send your recommenders a thank you note for their time.

G.P.A.
Your GPA will also play a strong role in your consideration. If you need to explain a situation or problem that impacted your grades (i.e. loss of family member, working full-time, etc.), feel free to do so in your personal statement. Keep your explanation brief as the main focus of your personal statement should address the topic that was posed.

Financing Graduate School

Paying for graduate school can seem daunting, especially when you have loans from your undergraduate degree. There are several forms of need-based and merit-based aid available for graduate school.

Fellowships
A fellowship is a monetary award based on academic, athletic or personal achievements to support graduate studies, academic research or specialized training of particular interest to the granting organization. In addition to the financial award, the recipient will sometimes receive a tuition waiver for up to five years of study. Fellowships are awarded by graduate schools, and government or private agencies. Check out Bowdoin College's Comprehensive Database of Fellowships, Campus Compact, Williams College website and Fellowships.GradSchools.com

Assistantships
Assistantships provide full or partial tuition and sometimes a stipend and health insurance in exchange for part-time employment. Most graduate assistants work between 15 and 30 hours per week. Deadlines for graduate assistantships are usually before admission into the program. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions or your department early for information on where assistantships are available. There are three different forms of assistantships: teaching, research and graduate assistantships.

Teaching Assistants teach undergraduate courses, lead classroom discussions, facilitate small group activities, grade papers or supervise labs.

Research Assistants perform research in their academic field, sometimes in collaboration with a faculty research project.

Graduate Assistantships are available in a number of departments or programs at the institution. Responsibilities vary greatly depending on the department and program. Graduate assistants might be responsible for supervising residence halls, planning student activities, managing community service programs, etc.

Scholarships
Scholarships are offered on a more limited basis for graduate study. The graduate institution may offer scholarships. Deadlines are often early so do your research now. Some good resources include:

FastWeb
FinAid
Peterson's Graduate Scholarship Search

Loans, Work-Study
Need-based financial aid is also available at the graduate level. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal aid. Work-study students work part-time on campus at an hourly wage. Federal loans (including the Perkins, Stafford and Supplemental loans) offer low interest rate loans to students who qualify. Private loans are also available from various providers.

Loan Forgiveness Programs

Depending on what field you enter and your professional pursuits after school, some loans can be partially or fully canceled. For more information, check out these sites:

http://www.mapping-your-future.org/paying/loanForgiveness.htm
http://www.finaid.org/loans/forgiveness.phtml
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/cancelstaff.jsp?tab=repaying

Employee Benefits

Some companies provide tuition reimbursement as part of their benefits package. Employees typically have to pursue a graduate degree related to the industry field in which they work. Talk with your Human Resources Department to see if this benefit is available to you.

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