Text Box: Graduate School Search www.gradschools.com www.petersons.com www.gradview.com Review professional organization web pages: Graduate School Web Links www.samford.edu/cardev/ Includes links to: Scholarships and Financial Aid Testing Information Text Box: Contact: Alice Martin Career Development Center Samford University Birmingham, AL 35229 205-726-2980 Text Box: CDC Contact

Graduate School Checklist

Internet Resources
Text Box: The “unsure” checklist additions Text Box: □ Self-Assessment: assess why you want to pursue graduate study and what you want to study. Meet with a career counselor to assist with this exploration. □ Research Graduate Programs: seek advice from advisors and faculty. Review different class offerings, areas of study and research emphasis. Text Box: During this process you may discover some new and interesting areas of study. Read journals in your field. See where the scholars teach, attended school. □ Attend professional conferences: network with scholars.

    Graduate School Guide
Text Box: □ Research Graduate Programs □ Write, call, or email potential grad programs: schools and departments □ Study school catalogs, faculty credentials, and special facilities for your area □ Visit the institutions □ Register, study and take the appropriate admission test. It is important to know which test to take: GRE, GMAT, MAT… □ Request applications or apply on line. Sometimes the individual department may have a separate application from the university—be sure and check this. Check deadlines. Apply early! □ Plan for letters of recommendations. Some schools have a checklist form; others accept letters. Check each school before requesting the recommendations. □ Research expenses and financial resources. The most financial aid will come from a university or department. Other non-school related resources are also available. Research deadlines. Text Box: □ Write application essays: some programs give specific questions to answer; some programs just request a statement of purpose. □ Check if additional items or auditions or interviews are needed: ex. resume, portfolio, writing samples, etc. □ Request transcripts be sent □ Check with schools to be sure your file is complete! □ Prepare for Interviews. □ Notify other programs that accepted you of your final decision so they may admit students on their waiting list. Decisions are usually made in March or April. □ Write thank you notes to everyone who assisted you in your search— tell them of your decision. □ Make a budget and housing arrangements. □ Have an alternate plan if graduate school admission is postponed.

If there is even a small possibility that you might be interested in graduate school, these tips may be helpful:

  • Keep your grades up:  The average minimum admission into most graduate and professional schools is 3.0
  • Sharpen your writing skills:  It is important to build your vocabulary and know how to articulate concisely.
  • Get Practical Experience 
  • Set aside money for the process:  tests and application costs
  • Network:  with professors, administrators, professionals, and friends about your area of interest.

Samford University

Career Development Center

Could Graduate School Be In Your  Future?