Photo courtesy of Cahill Career Development Center
The Cahill Career Development Center and Office of Fellowship and Scholarships held a workshop on graduate schools and how to pay for them on Jan. 26.
The workshop,hosted by Dr. Rebecca Root, detailed reasons for attending graduate or professional school, factors to consider during searches, elements of the application, suggested preparation timelines and how to pay for graduate or professional school.
Root, the Director of the Office of Fellowship and Scholarships, said: “Grad school should be something you build towards during your four years at college.” She expanded by saying, “Grad school is an evolving process that does not occur overnight – you need to really think about it.”
Root stressed the importance of planning ahead and leaving adequate time to prepare for academic and financial obligations.
Root, who joined Ramapo College in 2009 as an associate professor of Political Science and International Studies, also suggested that students take a gap year: “Employers and graduate schools want you to have job experience, because it is more valuable.”
Some factors to consider when researching graduate or professional school:
- What are your current goals? What do you hope to gain from graduate or professional school?
- What type of experience are you seeking?
- What are the post-graduation job prospects?
- Are there any other factors to consider such as family or other commitments?
- What type of degree are you seeking?
- Are you ready to go back to school?
- Should you study part time or full time?
- Can you afford it? Is financial aid available?
Application elements to be aware of include: official transcripts, standardized test scores such as GRE, LSAT, GMAT or MCAT, essays and personal statements, recommendations, work samples or portfolio as well as interviews.
The Cahill Center offers one-on-one assistance with the graduate school application process including feedback on drafts of proposals, essays and application preparation. The Office of Scholarships and Fellowships also helps with researching competitive scholarships and fellowships to help pay for graduate school.
For questions and advisement, students can contact the Cahill Career Development Center (C-209/ASB 513), cahill@ramapo.edu, or the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships, rroot@ramapo.edu. Website: www.ramapo.edu/cahill/graduate-school/
jrodri14@ramapo.edu
