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Graduate and Professional School

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As a CSUF student, the Career Center offers various resources and strategies to help you navigate the Graduate and Professional school process.

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Choosing a Program

Continuing on to graduate study is a long-term commitment, and it is critical that you gather enough information about your field to make a wise decision about graduate and professional school. Every field is different; in fact, in some fields you can be in a negative position if you attend graduate and professional school at the wrong time during your career. Talk to faculty, professionals in the field, or the Career Center to gather information about your chosen field.

Graduate School Resource Guide:

Utilize the Graduate & Professional School Resource Guide to learn what to expect from the graudate school application process and start planning your next steps!
Graduate School Resource Guide

Researching Schools

After making the decision to go on to graduate and professional school, the next step will be locating and evaluating potential schools and programs. Use the following resources to do so:

Deadlines

Be aware of the application deadlines which can vary between different programs. For fall admission at most graduate and professional schools, applications are due in January or February; some are even earlier.  Students need to start to take steps before the end of their junior year. 

Program

Examine the curriculum keeping in mind personal goals and educational needs. It may be important to know if the program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the field or focuses specifically on one approach. Other important considerations are the class size, fieldwork opportunities, philosophy, and methods of instruction.

Additional questions to consider include:

  • What is the program reputation?
  • Is the opportunity for specialization present? Is specialization required?
  • Does the school offer the type of enrollment option you want?
  • Does it offer sufficient courses and career options?
  • Are internships or work-study programs part of the curriculum?
  • If certification is required, what percentage of the class passes? What states have reciprocity?
  • How long is the program (number of credits)?
  • What are the prerequisite requirements?
  • Will it offer knowledge within your capability and interests?

Faculty

Students will be working extremely close with faculty in graduate and professional school, so it is important to research them. Find out who they are including areas of specialization and research interests they are currently pursuing. Good sources of information are college and department catalogs and journal publications.

Factors to consider include:

  • Make-up of faculty
  • Professors with doctoral degrees
  • Professors' work experience in the field
  • Faculty accessibility to students

Financial Considerations

There are several kinds of financial assistance available for graduate students including fellowships, scholarships, teaching and research assistantships, and loans. Financial aid application deadlines are frequently earlier than the general application deadline.  Check with the Financial Aid Office and individual departments at your institution for further financial aid resources. 

Questions to consider include:

  • Do the tuition fees fit your budget?
  • What type of work-study programs, loans, scholarships, research opportunities, and assistantships are available?

Facilities

Get an idea of available facilities by reviewing the school website or visiting the campus. Find out about the libraries, laboratories and research facilities, graduate housing as well as any partnerships with other research educational and professional organizations.

Size

Consider the overall size of the program. The critical aspect of size is the ratio of faculty to students in the specific graduate program. In a large program, the applicant should be concerned with the ratio of active faculty to students and the number of students in the common first-year graduate courses. In a small program, the concern is focused upon the number of active faculty and the number and scope of the graduate courses offered.

Additional Questions to Ask Yourself

Admissions Procedures

  • Do you know the procedures and timeline?
  • Are any advanced exams required?
  • What documents will you need?
  • Is there an interview process?

The Students

  • Is the school selective with regard to admissions?
  • What is the make-up of the student body?
  • How many enter directly from their undergraduate degree?
  • Is there a student association? What are its activities?

Campus Life

  • What social/cultural life will be available?
  • Do most students reside on campus or off campus?
  • What living accommodations are available and what are they like? 

Geographic Location

  • Do you prefer an urban or rural environment? A hot, cold, or mild climate?
  • What is the distance from home?
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The Application Process

It is important that you first identify the application deadlines for the schools in which you are interested in applying. You need to know all the different components needed for your application which could include a statement of purpose, specific tests, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an interview. 

Statement of Purpose

The graduate and professional school application often requires a statement of purpose. This is a concise, well-written essay which demonstrates your ability to organize and present ideas clearly. Your statement of purpose should reflect your background, qualifications and goals.

Utilize  grammarly@edu, a free CSUF student resource, to help with your grammar and writing style for your statement of purpose.

Read more information on developing your Statement of Purpose or Schedule an Appointment

Developing a Statement of Purpose

Applications for graduate and professional school often include a statement of purpose which outlines your background and reasons for wanting to pursue an advanced degree in the field or profession.  Always defer to the essay prompt given by the institution when writing your statement of purpose. 

Opening Paragraph

  • Introduce yourself to the selection committee and state your general reasons for pursuiing graduate studies. 
  • Make it interesting; the committee members will read many applicaitons. Give them a sense of your particular talents, individuality, experience and uniqueness.

Background

  • Concentrate on those experiences that have served as reasons for your pursuing graduate and professional studies as well as your chosen profession.
  • Describe your community and family background and how your interests in, and knowledge of, your chosen field developed. Describe any personal attributes and qualities that would help you complete your graduate studies successfully. Remember to include examples.
  • Focus on your determination to achieve your goals.

Qualifications

  • Describe those experiences that serve as a foundation for your graduate and professional studies. 
  • Discuss: (1) your expertise and accomplishments in your major field, (2) your undergraduate studies in general and how they relate to what you intend to accomplish in graduate school, (3) specific learning experiences that demonstrate your motivation and inspiration for continued study, and (4) other relevant experiences such as jobs, internships, community activities, and volunteer experience.

Goals and Objectives

Address the following items in relation to your continued studies:

  • Short term- What specific area do you want to study in graduate and professional school?
  • Long term- How do you intend to combine your knowledge and experience with your graduate work to achieve your career goals?
  • What impact will you have on society, the community, or your field of study with your advanced degree?

Closing Paragraph

  • Leave the reader with a strong sense that you are qualified and that you will be successful in graduate school. You should combine this with your qualifications.
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Application Process Continued - Tests, Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation

Tests

Most graduate and professional programs require scores from standardized admission tests. Below is a list of common tests but not all inclusive—be sure you have read the requirements for admission carefully so you are aware of all of the tests necessary and the deadline dates for submission of the test results.

Tests to take for specific types:

  • Graduate School (most Programs)
    • Graduate Record Examination (GRE
  • Dental School
    • Dental Aptitude Test (DAT)
  • Law School
    • Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
  • Veterinary School
    • Veterinary Aptitude Test (VAT)
  • Business School
    • Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
  • Optometry School
    • Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT)
  • Education
    • California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)/
      California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET)
  • Pharmacy 
    • Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
  • Medical or Podiatry School
    • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
  • Psychology, Education, Social Services
    • Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

Transcripts

It is your responsibility to have an official copy of your transcripts sent to each school to which you are applying. Please note that it can take the Admissions and Records office up to 10 business days to have your official transcripts ready.  The Office of Admissions and Records provides information about requesting official and unofficial transcripts.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation should be requested from professors, advisors, employers or other individuals who are familiar with your work, undergraduate preparation, commitment, motivation, and/or potential.  Click here for more information about requesting letters of recommendation.

Graduate School Tips & Strategies

Read great graduate school tips and strategies in our Graduate School Resource Guide:

Graduate School Guide

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Graduate and Professional School Interviews

Interview Preparation Tips

Many graduate and professional programs require a personal interview before you are accepted into a program. The interview process varies widely depending on the program to which you are applying. Prepare for this as you would for an interview with an employer.

The art of interviewing is a skill acquired through much practice. To best prepare, read through the information below and begin practicing.

To set up a mock graduate and professional school interview: Schedule an Appointment

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