Graduate School

Considerations:

• Do I know how graduate or professional school will help me in my professional path?
• Am I specific and clear in the type of programs I want/need? for the next 2-5 years?
• For my industry is graduate/professional school advised right after undergraduate or to work professionally for a few years first?
• Do I have the financial resources I need?
• Am I ready to continue my education?
• Why you shouldn’t go to graduate school

If you answer “no” to any of these questions, consider consulting with a professional career center staff member before investing considerable time, money and energy into applying to graduate and professional programs.

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, consult with a career center staff member to assist you with the application journey!

Search for Programs:

• Check out mygraduateschool.com for terrific advice on all related topics, searching, applying, personal statements, financing, U.S. and international schools.
• The Career Center purchases a subscription to collegesource.org which can help you identify graduate programs.
• Petersen’s Guides to Graduate School also lists graduate programs by discipline. You can find this year’s guides in the Career Center. Just drop-in when we’re open (M-F, 8:30a.m.-12p.m. & 1p.m.-4:30p.m.).
• Talk to faculty in the area of your interest. They can help guide you to programs to best fit your interests.

  

Graduate School Fairs early October:

• University of Illnois, Urbana-Champaign
• University of Illinois, Chicago
• Idealist.org, held at UIC
• Questions to ask at a graduate school fair

Application Process:

• When you begin depends on the program: spring junior year, summer, or early fall of senior year.
• Prepare for/take relevant tests; GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT
Request letters of recommendation from faculty and internship supervisor. Six weeks prior to application deadline, give letter writers
• List of schools/programs
• Unofficial transcript
• Your updated resume
• Draft of personal statement
• Write personal statement, take it to the Writing Center, and solicit feedback either from faculty or career center staff
• Personal Statement helpful resources: petersons.com, gradschool.about.com, accepted.com
• Contact every program to ensure your application is complete.
• Consult with the career center staff and/or your faculty for additional guidance.
• Write thank you letters to your recommenders, and inform them of the outcomes.