Graduate or professional school is where students go for further education after finishing their bachelor’s degrees. These programs provide focused training in certain areas, resulting in advanced degrees like master’s degrees, doctoral degrees (Ph.D.), or professional degrees such as law (J.D.) or medicine (M.D.).

Starting to plan for Graduate or Professional school early can help you:

1. More time for preparation: As an early applicant, you will have more time to gather necessary materials, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores.
2. Increased competitiveness: Many graduate programs have rolling admissions, meaning they review applications as they receive them. By starting early, you can put yourself at an advantage as there may be more spots available.
3. Reduced stress: By beginning the process early, you can spread out the workload over a longer period.

Information

• Research programs and schools:
  • Identify programs that match your goals and interests
  • Look into admission requirements, curriculum, and faculty
  • Consider factors such as location, cost, and program duration
• Prepare for standardized tests:
  • Determine which tests are required (e.g., GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT)
  • Create a study plan and timeline
  • Consider taking practice tests or enrolling in prep courses
• Gain relevant experience:
  • Seek internships, participate in extracurricular activities, research opportunities, or part-time jobs in your field of interest
• Improve your academic record if necessary:
  • Focus on maintaining a strong GPA, especially in courses related to your intended field of study.
• Start the application process:
  • Create a timeline for application deadlines
  • Begin drafting your personal statement and statement of purpose
  • Request letters of recommendation well in advance
  • Prepare/refine your resume or CV
• Consider financial planning:
  • Research funding options such as scholarships, grants, and assistantships.
  • Explore student loan options and understand repayment terms
• Research and Prepare for Your College Applications:
  • Practice common interview questions ( if applicable)
  • Research the programs and schools you are applying to thoroughly
  • If possible contact schools and visit their admissions sites for application forms, application deadlines, course listings, and financial aid information.
• Make informed decisions:
  • Compare offers from different programs.
  • Consider factors such as program fit, location, and financial support.

SUPPORT/FEEDBACK

1. Get help with planning for graduate school by submitting your request through the SEEK Academic Support Center (ASC) system. Click here to complete the survey.
2. For those in AGRO 101 course ( SEEK Financial Planning and Budget Course), you can get feedback from your Professor.
3. Contact your advisors for assistance –                                                                                                                                                                               Dr. Rebecca Cenatus – rcenatus@mec.cuny.edu                                                                                                                                                             Ms. Takisha Randall – Trandall@mec.cuny.edu                                                                                                                                                                Dr. Jewel James – jjames@mec.cuny.edu
4. MEC Career Management Center –   Career Management Contact Information                                                                                                    website: https://www.mec.cuny.edu/student-success/career-management/resources/

References

Mahdi, M. (2024). To What Extent Is Early Rolling Basis Graduate School Application Important? https://cambridgedb.com/to-what-extent-is-early-rolling-basis-graduate-school-application.html