Are you thinking about applying to graduate school? As you may recall from my last blog post, My Story: Making a Career Change at Age 29, I recently went through the application process and am working toward my master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. While not everyone may be thinking about the same field, I have a few tips for the overall process that will keep you on-track to meet those application deadlines.
Be Organized
This will mean different things for everyone, but being organized is extremely important when applying to graduate school. For me, this was creating a spreadsheet with the schools, requirements for application, deadlines, a notes section, and color coding for different phases of the process. For you, it could be a similar process, or maybe you prefer printed documents, folders, piles, etc. No matter the process, make sure it works for you and keep an eye on your progress so you don’t miss any deadlines.
Ask for Positive References Early
References are an important aspect to the application process. The references you choose should be able to speak to you and your work in the field you are going into. When asking for a reference, be sure to ask if the person is willing to be a “positive reference” for you. Be prepared to explain why you are applying to certain programs and to provide an updated résumé for them to reference your accomplishments.
Tip: To make sure your résumé is top notch, visit the Center for Career Development in Wilbur Cross, Room 202, from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday for walk in résumé critiques.
Research is Important
It is important to research the specifics of programs and institutions in general, but another great way to research is through informational interviews and connecting with current contacts. I set up meetings or phone calls with many of my mentors in the field for which I was looking to attend graduate school. I learned things about institutions that I never would have known just by looking at the website. My mentors also connected me with their peers who could provide additional perspectives.
Seek Assistance Early
Don’t hesitate to ask for help. I asked for assistance from many people; whether to look at my résumé, provide me with a positive recommendation, to discuss my options, or just for moral support while applying (since I did so during tax accounting season, eek).
Luckily, the Center for Career Development is hosting a workshop called “Grad School 101” on Thursday, September 24th from 6-7pm in Laurel Hall, Room 201. This workshop will help you get started on your graduate school journey.
As always, the Center for Career Development is here for you, so if you need additional assistance, stop by for a walk-in appointment from 12pm-4pm Monday-Friday in Wilbur Cross, Room 202. Good luck – you’ve got this!
Arizona Summit Receives WRBLSA Award Arizona Summit was recently awarded the 2016 Black Student Law Association Chapter Award at the
Western Region Black Law Students Association (WRBLSA)'s 48th annual convention held during the
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Charlotte School of Law AAMPLE®
If a lower LSAT score is hurting your chances of getting into law school, Charlotte School of
Law (CSL) offers the Alternative Admissions Model Program for Legal Education (AAMPLE), a
seven-week online class that helps prospective students prove they are able to handle a
demanding law school curriculum.
Florida Coastal Law's Practitioner Clinics Florida Coastal Law's Practitioner Clinic is an innovative course offering students a chance
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work on these cases in the practitioner's office off campus, and the Clinics are offered as
two credits with an evening classroom component.
Center for Professional Development Arizona Summit's Center for Professional Development (CPD) is a full-service career counseling
and resource center that supports and assists students in all stages of the career planning
process, while helping employers fill their semester, summer, and permanent hiring needs.
Charlotte Law Compliance Certificate Program
Students with or without a legal background can pursue a career in the rapidly growing
field of compliance and ethics. Charlotte Law is one of the few law schools in the U.S.
offering a Corporate Compliance Certificate Programentirely online. It's an 18-week
platform that prepares students for the Compliance Certification Board exam.
Florida Coastal Law Offers LLM & Certificate in Logistics & Transportation Florida Coastal Law is the first law school in the U.S. to offer an onlineLL.M. Degree or
Certificate in Logistics & Transportation. Students in the 24-credit LL.M. or 12-credit
Certificate program gain expertise in global logistics and transportation law through
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