About Graduate School

Is the GRE Really Necessary?

2009-12-07T15:55:07Z

Recently I received an email from a prospective applicant: "I'm doing very well in school - all A's and I would like to go to graduate school to obtain a doctorate in psychology. The problem is that I recently took the GRE and scored poorly. What are my options? Is there another way into grad school other than doing well on this test?"

Simply put: If you want to pursue graduate study at the doctoral level, you will have to take the GRE. Nearly all graduate programs - especially doctoral programs - in all fields require it of all applicants. If you search long and hard you might find a program that doesn't require the GRE but such a finding is highly unusual - so unusual that I would take a very close look at the program.

So - the GRE is a necessary evil. What can you do to improve? Follow some basic steps to prepare for the GRE, including learning about the test, taking practice tests, and considering a course. Get a GRE prep book. It may be boring and hard work, but plowing through a test prep book - and doing all of the exercises - will improve your score. When it comes time to take the test remember to guess strategically. Finally, as a last resort, know that you can cancel your score before submitting your test.

Is the GRE Really Necessary? originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 15:55:07.

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Where to Apply?

2009-12-04T06:54:51Z

Applying to graduate school entails a series of tough decisions -- decisions about who to ask for letters of recommendation, what to include in your admissions essay, when to take the GRE, and how to prepare for a graduate school interview. The very first decision, however, is where to apply. Your choices of where to submit applications will determine your graduate school career -- and your entire professional career. Take time to ensure that you choose programs that are appropriate to your needs and goals.

Where to Apply? originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 06:54:51.

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Simple Steps to Master Your Use of Time

2009-12-01T06:37:36Z

We never have enough time, but for most of us, this time of year is particularly time crunched. The end of the semester is hurtling towards us - with holidays on its tail. Time management is more important than ever now.

Simple Steps to Master Your Use of Time originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 06:37:36.

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Which Paper Should I Write Next?

2009-11-30T06:11:43Z

At this time in the semester many students find that they have too much to do and not enough time to do it. It's a question of time management: You have a limited amount of time and must determine how to allocate it to get the most bang for your buck. Here's one approach to help you figure out what to do next and what to put off

List all of your papers and assignments, with due dates.
Determine the relative weight of each paper on your final grade.
Determine the amount of time and effort required to complete each paper.
Determine the relative importance of each of your classes. For example, is the class required or a prerequisite?
How much time do you have?
List the paper assignments in order of importance. Weigh papers for your important classes more heavily than those for your less important classes. Weigh papers that are worth a greater proportion of your grade more heavily than those that are worth less.

Now come the tough decisions. Is it better to spend a lot of time one paper that is worth 40% of your grade as compared with two papers for two different classes that are worth 25% of your grade? Look at your performance throughout the semester in order to answer this question.

Generally speaking, allocate more time on papers that are worth a large proportion of your grade, in classes that are important, and in classes in which you are not performing well.

Which Paper Should I Write Next? originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 06:11:43.

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Your Transcript: Your Grad School Application Goes Nowhere Without It!

2009-11-27T06:12:12Z

Applicants to graduate school sometimes become so concerned about the more challenging aspects of the application, like recommendation letters and admissions essays, that they forget the easy stuff, like transcripts. Transcripts usually must be sent directly from the registrar's office at your school to the admissions office at the program to which you're applying. Request transcripts early because your school may take a week or more to process them. You don't want your application to be rejected because your transcripts didn't arrive on time.

Your Transcript: Your Grad School Application Goes Nowhere Without It! originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 06:12:12.

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It's All About Timing

2009-11-25T06:39:41Z

Is graduate school right for you? Sometimes that's not the right question. Instead ask yourself "Should I go to grad school NOW?" Not all students go straight from undergrad to graduate school. Many take a year or more off. During that year or two you could improve your academic credentials, get great experience, or simply see what your career options are so that you make an educated discussion as to whether graduate school is right for you. Remember, you don't have to decide now; it's about timing.

It's All About Timing originally appeared on About.com Graduate School on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 06:39:41.

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How Graduate Admissions Committees Process Graduate School Applications

2009-11-23T05:11:20Z

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

2009-11-20T06:14:58Z

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

2009-11-18T06:24:10Z

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

2009-11-16T06:22:09Z

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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