| Listed below are many frequently asked questions (FAQ's) about General Graduate School Information, Application Preparation, and Financial Aid. The questions have been broken down by subject for easier reading. | |
| General FAQ's | |
| 1. What is the difference between a master's degree and a doctorate? | |
| 2. How long does each degree take to complete? | |
| 3. How do I know whether I should get a master's degree or doctorate? | |
| 4. Do I have to get a master's degree before I get a doctorate or apply to a doctoral program? | |
| 5. How many schools should I apply to? | |
| 6. How can I best determine which schools are most likely to accept me? | |
| 7.How can I compare programs in my discipline so that I know which is best for me academically and professionally? | |
| 8. How important is it to make contacts with faculty and students at the schools in which I'm interested? | |
| 9. How can I make contact with faculty at the programs to which I am applying? | |
| 10. What part does the reputation of my undergraduate school play in an admissions committee's decision? | |
| 11. What standardized admissions exams do I need to take? | |
| 12. How important are standardized admissions exams? | |
| 13. What if I have a very high GPA but do poorly on the GRE? | |
| 14. Do test prep courses make a difference? | |
| 15. Will one bad semester or a couple of poor grades hurt my chances of acceptance? | |
| 16. How important is work experience related to my field? | |
| Application Preparation | |
| 1. How important is my overall GPA? Do graduate schools focus primarily on grades in the discipline or field that I am pursuing? | |
| 2. How important is the personal statement? | |
| 3. Should letters of recommendation be from professors in the discipline I am pursuing? | |
| 4. What if I don't know any senior faculty in my discipline? | |
| 5. How do I approach professors for letters of recommendation? | |
| 6. When should I start the application process? | |
| 7. Is there an advantage to submitting my completed applications well in advance of the deadline? | |
| 8. What if I'm ready to apply now but I haven't met all of the programs' pre-requisites? | |
| Financial Aid | |
| 1. What types of financial aid are there, and how do I know which ones I'm eligible for? | |
| 2. What if I make too much money to qualify for financial aid? | |
| 3. Should I bother applying to schools that I know will be too expensive to attend without financial aid? | |
| General FAQ's | |
| 1. What is the difference between a master's degree and a doctorate? | |
| The main difference between the two degrees has to do with the level of specialization attained in your field. A master's degree provides less opportunity for specialization and little research training. Master's programs generally require the completion of 30 credits of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree and either a final, comprehensive exam or a written thesis (usually 50 to 100 pages in length). A doctorate provides a higher level of specialization and also gives extensive research training. Doctoral programs generally require 60 credits of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree. Further, most programs administer at least two exams (written and oral) and require a written proposal outlining the final research project to be undertaken. All doctoral programs require a dissertation (a book-length manuscript detailing the doctoral candidate's original researach in a specialized area) and a final, oral defense of the dissertation. | |
| 2. How long does each degree take to complete? | |
| A master's degree generally can be completed in two years. Some fields, such as social work or the speech and hearing sciences, require field work or a clinical practicum, which may add time to the length of completion. | |
| A doctorate generally takes 5 to 7 years to complete. Variables include the nature of the discipline itself, the specific course requirements of the program you are enrolled in, how much labratory research (if any) is involved, whether field work or clinical training is required, and the length of time needed to complete the dissertation. | |
| 3. How do I know whether I should get a master's degree or doctorate? | |
| This really depends on your ultimate career goal. If you want to become a university professor, qualified to teach undergraduates and graduate students, and do research and publish in your field of expertise, you must obtain the doctorate (Ph.D.). | |
| If your goal is to become, say, a social worker, a practicing speech pathologist, or a high school teacher, you should obtain a master's degree, which will prepare you to become licensed and/or certified in fields such as these. In some cases, a master's degree may also qualify you to teach at the community college level. | |
| 4. Do I have to get a master's degree before I get a doctorate or apply to a doctoral program? | |
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While most students enter doctoral programs directly from undergraduate studies, it is not uncommon for students first to obtain a master’s degree in their discipline. Some doctoral programs prefer students without previous graduate study, but others, such as Clinical Psychology, may prefer their students to have either a master’s degree or a substantial number of graduate credits in the field. It is best to check with each school to which you are applying for their policy and advice. You should also inquire about whether financial aid amounts and availability differ for students accepted with a master’s degree as opposed to those accepted directly from undergraduate programs. Many doctoral programs do offer “en route” master’s degrees. These are usually awarded after a doctoral student has completed all, or at least a substantial amount of course work and required comprehensive exams. |
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5. How many schools should I apply to? |
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| There is no set number, and the number of schools that a student applies to may vary widely from discipline to discipline. As a general rule, you should focus on those schools to which you have a reasonably good chance of being accepted (based on a combination of your academic qualifications, test scores, and the particular program's profile of successful candidates). You may certainly apply to your top-choice school, even if it is unlikely that you will be accepted. While having a "safe" school is often a good idea, make sure it is one that you would actually feel good about attending. | |
| 6. How can I best determine which schools are most likely to accept me? | |
| Begin by researching the discipline. There are books and organizations that rate programs within each discipline and provide information about each program's admissions standards. For example, the most competitive programs in some disciplines have acceptance rates as low as 2%. Other very fine programs in the field may admit up to 25% of applicants. (Program size will play a large role in this.) Many programs will provide applicants with general admissions standards, which may include the range of test scores and GPA's that applicants are expected to have. Finally, talk to faculty in your field who are knowledgeable about graduate programs in your discipline. | |
| 7. How can I compare programs in my discipline so that I know which is best for me academically and professionally? | |
| Again, research is essential. Guidebooks (and, in some instances, professional organizations) can provide comprehensive information about faculty reputation, student placement, teaching and research opportunities, financial aid, and so on. It is important to remember, though, that each program has its own strengths and weaknesses. For instance, an English program may be among the top ten for Victorian literature but may not be highly rated in Renaissance literature. This is why it is important to have some idea about your desired specialization within the discipline. Research the faculty in whatever specialization you are interested in and talk to faculty in that specific area in your department. | |
| 8. How important is it to make contacts with faculty and students at the schools in which I'm interested? | |
| Current graduate students can provide information and perspective about the program that you won't get from guidebooks, catalogues, or faculty. Many programs have graduate student organizations, and it is often possible to contact them by phone or e-mail either with specific questions about the program or to talk more generally. Establishing contact with faculty members at specific programs, particularly in your intended area of specialization, is a very important part of the application process. Making a favorable impression - which means being informed about the program and the professor's research, asking specific questions, and presenting yourself as a serious, committed junior scholar - can only enhance your application. Even if the professor is not on the admissions committee, she will very likely know someone who is and may well pass along her favorable impressions. She may also be able to refer you to other faculty members in the department with whom you can speak. | |
| 9. How can I make contact with faculty at the programs to which I am applying? | |
| The most effective way to do this is through an introduction by a professor in your department. Don't be shy about asking them if they know anyone that you can talk to. Obviously, professors who know your work best will be more likely to make a call or send an e-mail on your behalf. If this is not possible, you can certainly write a letter to a particular graduate faculty member to introduce yourself and ask either for a meeting (if this is geographically feasible) or a phone conversation. If you choose to write a "cold call" letter it is absolutely essential to know the professor's work, the program's strengths and weaknesses, and to talk briefly but specifically in your letter about your own research interests as they relate to the professor's area of research. An alternative method is to call the program and ask if it is possible to speak (preferably in person) with a program officer (the chair or deputy chair), a member of the admissions committee, or whoever is the liaison between the program and prospective students. Many programs also have a recruiting day where they host prospective students and provide an opportunity to talk with various faculty members and graduate students. Some programs will also permit prospective students to arrange to sit in on a seminar session. | |
| 10. What part does the reputation of my undergraduate school play in an admissions committee's decision? | |
| It is often true that when considering candidates of roughly equal qualifications, the committee may consider a candidate's school, and particularly the reputation of the specific discipline at that school. This is why it is important to take a challenging course of study that includes advanced courses, directed independent study, and where applicable, research experience. Participating in nationally recognized fellowship programs, such as Mellon or McNair, can also significantly enhance an application. The fact is, there's nothing you can do directly about your school or department's reputation and ranking, so focus on everything that you can control. | |
| 11. What standardized admissions exams do I need to take? | |
| This will be determined by your discipline. Almost all graduate programs require the GRE, and some also require subject tests. Professional schools require exams specific to that area (LSAT, MCAT, and so on). You should find out what exams are required from each school to which you plan to apply, and you should do so at least one semester in advance of the application deadlines. | |
| 12. How important are standardized admissions exams? | |
| The weight placed on these exams varies according to discipline and to individual schools. Most programs tend to have baseline scores below which they will usually not consider a candidate. However, it is not unusual for students with very high test scores to be rejected in favor of someone with only fair scores if that student has other outstanding qualities, such as a high GPA and impressive research, internship, or related work experience. | |
| 13. What if I have a very high GPA but do poorly on the GRE? | |
| The weight given to standardized admissions exams varies from program to program and discipline to discipline. If your exam score is not reflective of your academic accomplishments and capabilities, it is often a good idea to ask one of your faculty recommenders to address it in the letter. This can be particularly effective if you have taken advanced courses or done independent study with that professor. It is generally not a good idea to try to explain a low test score in your personal statement. If English is your second language, the admissions committee will know this, and will take it into consideration when looking at your scores. They understand that many outstanding non-native speaking candidates score somewhat lower on the GRE. | |
| 14. Do test prep courses make a difference? | |
| The simple answer is yes, but to varying degrees. | |
| 15. Will one bad semester or a couple of poor grades hurt my chances of acceptance? | |
| A difficult semester, especially early in your college career, will generally not greatly affect your chances. A poor semester in your junior year, especially in courses in your major, may be more problematic, unless there are legitimate extenuating circumstances such as a health problem or family crisis. The academic "bump in the road" is something that you can discuss in your personal statement, a long as your are not making excuses and instead stress how you have overcome adversity and learned from the experience (see the Personal Statement Guide for details). You should certainly talk about your academic record with whomever writes your recommendations and decide together how best to address the situation (if it needs to be addressed at all). | |
| 16. How important is work experience related to my field? | |
| It certainly can never hurt, but it is more important for some fields than others. You need to research your discipline regarding the types of related work experience (lab or research assistant, apprentice, intern, volunteer, and so on) that they may find desirable and/or necessary for candidates to have. | |
| Application Preparation | |
| 1. How important is my overall GPA? Do graduate schools focus primarily on grades in the discipline or field that I am pursuing? | |
| Graduate and professional schools obviously place greatest emphasis on grades in courses related to your field, but they do consider the totality of your academic record. While it is unlikely that a poor grade in a required math class will adversely affect your application to a PhD program in English, for example, a pattern of mediocre or poor grades outside your major field, especially in related disciplines, will likely have an adverse effect. Conversely, outstanding grades in courses removed from your discipline can significantly enhance your chances. Many programs also look favorably upon a candidate who has pursued a particularly challenging course of study (a double major, a number of upper-level electives outside a student's discipline, and so on), even if it has resulted in a somewhat lower overall GPA. In short, while most schools do have some general GPA scale for evaluating candidates, they almost always place your GPA in the context of your particular undergraduate course of study. | |
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2. How important is the personal statement? |
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| Assuming that you are in the final applicant pool, the personal statement is often the determining factor in acceptance or rejection. In other words, it is an absolutely essential part of your application, and while some disciplines may give it more weight than others, an ineffective personal essay will surely compromise your chances of being accepted. See the Personal Statement Guide for a step-by-step approach. You should also seriously consider taking a personal statement writing workshop or working with someone individually on the writing process. | |
| 3. Should letters of recommendation be from professors in the discipline I am pursuing? | |
| Can they be in a related field? The most meaningful and effective recommendations usually come from faculty in your field, especially senior faculty, and especially those with whom you have worked in advanced classes and/or projects. After all, doctoral programs want to know about your academic work and potential in that specific discipline. It is important, though, to follow the directions on each application form. Some may ask that one of the recommendations be from an advisor or from faculty in a related field, or in some cases from a non-academic source. | |
| 4. What if I don't know any senior faculty in my discipline? | |
| The short answer is: Get to know someone, either by taking a course, being a research assistant, or through an introduction. If this is absolutely impossible, speak to an advisor in your department (or the department chair) about the situation. In general, recommendations from adjunct faculty, particularly those without a PhD, don't carry nearly as much weight as those from senior faculty. | |
| 5. How do I approach professors for letters of recommendation? | |
| Writing letters of recommendations is part of a professor's job, but obviously those who know you and your work well will be more receptive to and enthusiastic about writing a letter on your behalf, and they will be able to write stronger, more informed letters. In asking for a recommendation, it is important to find out if the professor is willing to write a "strong" letter. It is also advisable to talk about what the professor will address and stress in the letter. Most professors will gladly discuss this with students, but there are some who would prefer not to. You shouldn't worry about those who do not want to discuss the letter with you, as long as they have assured you that they will write a strongly positive, substantive letter on your behalf. In any case, when you approach someone to write a recommendation always offer samples of your work (both from classes you've taken with that professor and other classes in the field), a copy of your transcript, a list of the schools to which you are applying, and a draft of your personal statement. And just as important, tell the professors when the application deadline is, and make sure to follow up by gently reminding them or asking whether they have completed the letter. Finally, it is always important that the letters and your personal statement be complementary and consistent. | |
| 6. When should I start the application process? | |
| Applying to graduate school is a time consuming process, and attention to every detail is vital to your success. It is generally not advisable to begin the process in the same semester that your application is due. See the Application Process Timeline for a step-by-step approach. | |
| 7. Is there an advantage to submitting my completed applications well in advance of the deadline? | |
| Absolutely. The general rule is, the sooner, the better. Many schools have rolling admissions (even if they don't announce that on the application forms), which means that they consider and admit candidates as they receive their applications. Even those schools that do not have rolling admissions often give greater attention to applications received before the great rush at deadline time simply because they have more time to do so. You should also know that submitting your application early can affect the amount of financial aid that you receive. While some schools may have deadlines as late as April 1, financial aid commitments, including fellowship, assistantship, and grant awards, are often made long before that. | |
| 8. What if I'm ready to apply now but I haven't met all of the programs' pre-requisites? | |
| In general, graduate schools expect you to have completed all pre-requisites by the application deadline. Those that make exceptions usually say so in their bulletin or on the application. But you should know that even if you are not required to complete pre-requisites until after a decision has been made on your application, you will most likely be at a disadvantage compared with applicants who have already completed them. In other words, if you will not have completed pre-requisites by the application deadline, you may not yet be ready to apply for admission. | |
| Financial Aid | |
| 1. What types of financial aid are there, and how do I know which ones I'm eligible for? | |
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There are two basic categories of financial aid for graduate students: internal and external. The majority of applicants will receive some form of aid. (Funding is scarce, however, for international students. Some assistance may be available through the student's home government or special programs. Contact your international students' office on campus or at the graduate schools to which you will apply.) External aid refers to national fellowships, such as awards given by federal agencies like the National Science Foundation or privately run groups like the Mellon and Ford foundations, which may be used for study at any accredited graduate school. (There may also be local groups, such as unions or private foundations in your area, which may sponsor small fellowships or other types of assistance.) Several of these programs can be accessed by direct links on this web site. You should also inquire with the appropriate advisors on your campus (most colleges have an Office of Honors and Scholarships or other similarly titled department). External funding agencies will have their own application procedures and deadlines, separate from whatever schools you are applying to. Internal aid comes directly from the graduate school in which you will enroll. Eligibility is determined through the information you provide on the federal financial aid form. If you hope to be eligible for any kind of internal aid (merit or need-based), you must complete this form and submit it with your general application. (Make sure that when you request your application packet, you also request the financial aid form.) Internal aid comes in a variety of forms:
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| 2. What if I make too much money to qualify for financial aid? | |
| You should never assume that you do not qualify for financial aid (unless, of course, you are independently wealthy). While you may not qualify for need-based financial aid, much aid at the doctoral level is based on merit. There are numerous fellowships, scholarships, and grants, both internally (through the particular program and university) and externally (through independent foundations, organizations, and even individuals). It is essential to apply for all the forms of financial aid that are available. | |
| 3. Should I bother applying to schools that I know will be too expensive to attend without financial aid? | |
| Many of the top graduate and professional schools are private institutions, which generally have higher tuitions than public universities. However, it can actually cost less to go to a more expensive school because they generally provide more generous financial support for their graduate students, often paying full tuition and substantial stipends. The fact is that you cannot know how much your graduate education will cost until after you have applied and been accepted. Don't limit your choices based on what you think the costs may be. | |
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