Graduate School
Geneseo students are highly motivated and often decide, either upon graduation or after several years, to pursue an advanced degree. Graduate school involves a significant commitment of time, money, and energy; depending on the advanced degree, sometimes even more determination than undergraduate study. Graduate school may prepare you for a profession such as law, medicine, social work, or academia, or it can merely deepen your knowledge of a particular field. However, do not avoid or delay a job search. “ Don’t go until you know” is a sensible mantra for those on the fence about pursuing an advanced degree.
Use these graduate school resources for more information on how to select a program, the application process, and how to finance your decision. | Tips for Transitioning to Graduate School
Checklist
- Make a note of application requirements and deadlines
- Take appropriate standardized tests
- Research financial aid, scholarships, assistantships, etc.
- Request letters of recommendation from professors and supervisors
- Attend graduate school fairs & open houses- Finalize documents: resume, personal statement, admissions essays
- Complete and submit applications before the deadline
- Prepare for an interview by scheduling a mock interview with Career Design
Self-Assessment
Many students withdraw from graduate programs because they dislike the concentrated academic work and realize they had not clearly defined their career goals. Ask yourself the following questions to help assess your needs, interests, values, and goals.
- Ask Yourself...
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- What are my short-range and long-range career goals?
- Do my professional plans require further education?
- Am I mentally and physically prepared to undertake another long-term academic commitment?
- Would I benefit more by gaining some practical experience before pursuing graduate studies?
- Can I realistically invest the time and money required to pursue another academic degree?
- What would be the advantages and disadvantages of going to graduate school immediately after completing the undergraduate program?
- The advantages and disadvantages of waiting a few years?
- The best use of the interim time?
- The advantages and disadvantages of waiting a few years?
The Four Best Ways to Stand Out
- 1. Contact the professors
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- Ask for a clarification of the program offerings
- Comment on a recent publication
- 2. Visit the department
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- Make your appointments with professors
- Send a thank-you note after!
- 3. Submit an outstanding work sample
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- Your best paper, lab, article, or writing sample
- Make sure the sample is directly related
- 4. Get a professor to review the work sample first!
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- Get a critique
- Make corrections as needed
Selection of a Program
A major concern of many individuals considering graduate education is that they need to attend the best program of study. National rankings are available for review from a number of sources but may be based on different criteria. Is the national recognition that a program or school has received the most important factor to consider when selecting a program? Not necessarily. A program should meet your individual needs, interests, and goals.
- Consider this information about each program:
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- Department courses and offerings
- Information on student outcomes
- Accreditation and length of the program
- Size, geographical location, type, and availability of housing
- Community environment
- Financial aid opportunities
- Cost and residency requirements
Researching Graduate Schools
There are many ways to go about researching graduate schools.
- Consider all of these options throughout the search process:
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- Talk with individuals who have knowledge of the field: faculty, deans, advisors, friends, family, career coaches, etc.
- Consult general graduate school guides or resources geared specifically toward your field
- Utilize the internet or link directly to schools of interest
- Contact individual graduate schools' departments requesting a catalog, application, and financial aid information
- Visit institutions and interview with directors, if possible
- Attend graduate school fairs and forums
Questions to Ask Any Graduate Program
- General
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- What are the criteria and process for selecting teaching assistants, research assistants, and fellows?
- What is the average time to complete the Ph.D.?
- What kind of student thrives in your program?
- What is your attrition rate (students lost over time)?
- Of those who don’t finish, what are their reasons?
- Do you have statistics about the types of jobs obtained by recent graduates? (Avoid relying on testimonials and anecdotal evidence and try to see actual reports with statistics.)
- May I meet some currently enrolled students (in person or via phone or email)? (Be sure to ask about their research topics and be sure to take notes on specific professors mentioned.)
- How can I be a strong candidate for a program like this?
- Financial
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- Is there financial aid?
- How do most students fund their studies here?
- Are there any institution or program scholarships?
- How reliable is your financial support year to year?
- Is the first-year offer always sustained given attainment of academic goals?
- Classes
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- Are all classes in-person or is there an online option?
- What is the largest and the most typical class size for a graduate class?
- Are classes restricted to graduate students or are undergraduates common in your graduate classes?
- Research
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- Will I get to develop my own topics?
- Will I be expected to work on a professor’s ongoing research?
- What is the average time to complete (a) research, (b) dissertation?
- Faculty
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- May I have some bibliographies of recent publications by faculty?
- Which professors have won awards and grants lately (and presumably need graduate assistants)?
Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press, 2000)
Graduate School Search Tools
- General Graduate School Search Tools
- Search Tools for Specific Degrees
Let us know how we can help:
Mailing Address
SUNY Geneseo
116 Erwin Hall, 1 College Circle
Geneseo, NY 14454