Graduate and Professional
School Expo
October 6, 2015
Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, 2nd Floor
5:00-7:00 PM
Presented by the
Career Development Center
Questions to Ask Any Graduate Program
1. What kind of student thrives in your program?
2. What would be the advantages and disadvantages to going to grad school immediately after completing an undergraduate degree? The advantages and disadvantages of waiting a few years? The best use of the interim time?
3. Can you tell me about your placement rates and types of jobs obtained by recent graduates? (Avoid relying on testimonials and anecdotal evidence).
4. How can I be a strong candidate for a program like this?
5. What is the largest and the most typical class size for a graduate class? Are classes restricted to graduate students? To majors?
6. What are the criteria and process for selecting TAs, RAs, and Fellows?
7. Will I get to develop my own topics, or will I be expected to work on a professor's ongoing research?
8. What facilities are available for graduate students? Are there any restrictions on access?
9. What is the mean time to complete (a) classwork, (b) research, (c) thesis or dissertation? That is, what is the mean time to complete the master's or Ph.D.? Ask about the program as a whole, but perhaps more importantly, by professor.
10. What is your attrition rate? Of those who don't finish, what are their reasons?
11. How reliable is your financial support year to year? Is the first-year offer always sustained, given attainment of academic goals?
12. What are the age range, gender balance, ratio of married/single, and geographical origins of graduate students in the program?
13. Can you tell me who is launching new projects? Which professors have won awards and grants lately? (These presumably need graduate assistants).
14. May I meet some currently enrolled students? (In person, or later via phone or email; be sure to ask about their research topics and be sure to take notes on specific professors mentioned).
Seeking Word-of-Mouth Advice
1. How did you get into this field?
2. What education or credentials are required for continued advancement in this field?
3. What was different than what you expected? Any myths you want to shatter for me?
4. What advice would you have for a young person interested in this field?
5. Should I go to grad school right away or work for a year or two first? If work, what kind of experiences would be best?
6. Which grad schools do you think are best in this field? Why?
7. Do you know any professors that I should contact?
References:
Asher, Donald. Graduate Admissions Essays, Write Your Way Into the Graduate School of Your Choice. Vol. III. New York, NY: Ten Speed Press, Random House, Inc., 2008.
Table / Institution / Description1 / Albany Law School
Albany, NY
Master’s, Doctoral
Law / Located in the heart of New York's capital, Albany Law is the oldest independent law school in North America. With more than 160 years of experience in legal education, the law school's students and alumni embark on brilliant careers.
Albany Law's outstanding location, the only law school within 90 miles of New York's capital, offers unparalleled opportunities for law students. Albany, the home of New York's highest court, federal courts, and the state legislature, is itself a laboratory for the study of law. We offer the J.D., LL.M., 14 concentrations, several joint degrees through accredited colleges and universities in the Capital Region and NYC, and a wide array of field placements, including internships through the Law Clinic & Justice Center and the Government Law Center.
For more information, please visit: http://albanylaw.edu
2 / Alfred University-The Graduate School
Alfred, NY
Master’s, Doctoral
General: Multiple Disciplines / Alfred University is the second oldest co-educational institutions in the nation awarding graduate degrees in art, engineering, counseling, school psychology, and business.
Alfred University offers a charming campus ideal for serious research, creativity, and study with small class sizes to allow direct access to faculty. Our graduate faculty are training future colleagues, so mentoring relationships form naturally. Current and former students impact personal and professional growth of students in the Graduate School developing networks of professional contacts during their studies which they maintain as alumni.
For more information, please visit: http://www.alfred.edu/gradschool
/
3 / Babson College
Babson Park, MA
Master’s
Business, Management / At the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson you will gain the entrepreneurial mindset to create economic and social value in the global economy. Our dynamic environment allows you to gain the skills and vision that employers look for most: the ability to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, and motivate teams. Ranked No. 1 in entrepreneurship for 22 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, a Babson degree will help you advance your career and achieve your future goals.
For more information, please visit: http://www.babson.edu/graduate
4 / Bank Street Graduate School of Education
New York, NY
Master’s
Education, Training / Bank Street is a progressive Graduate School of Education in New York City that offers master's degrees for those wanting to pursue teacher certification for the first time or expand on the certification they have already received. Initiatives like The Little Golden Books, The Voyage of the Mimi, and Head Start all have roots in our rich history. We're also still a big voice in New York City when it comes to education, as noted in the city's efforts to expand Universal Pre-K with the Graduate School's help.
Our master's programs integrate direct experience with children, teachers, and families, exploration and examination of theory, and observation and reflection. We prepare adults for professional work in schools, museums, hospitals, and community organizations.
For more information, please visit
http://www.bankstreet.edu/graduate-school/
5 / Bard College Master of Arts in Teaching Program
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Master’s
Education, Training / The BardMAT is an intensive graduate program leading to a master of arts in teaching degree and NYS Teacher Certification in grades 7-12. One-year/ full-time and two-year/ part-time options available.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bard.edu/mat
6 / Bard Graduate Center
New York, NY
Master’s, Doctoral
General, Multiple Disciplines / Bard Graduate Center is a graduate research institute located in New York City and committed to studying the cultural history of the material world. Our MA and PhD programs, research projects, and exhibition space together work to explore new ways of thinking about decorative arts, design history, and material culture.
For more information, please visit: http://www.bgc.bard.edu
7 / Binghamton University, State University of New York
Binghamton, NY
Master’s, Doctoral
Disciplines Represented / Binghamton University, a nationally distinguished State University of New York (SUNY) Center of Excellence, combines the atmosphere of a mid-sized, public institution with the resources of a very large research university. Whether you are a full-time student looking to immerse yourself in a master’s or doctoral program or a professional working towards an advanced degree or certificate, you can find your fit here: the University offers more than 60 master’s programs, 30 doctorate degrees, and 15 certificates. Binghamton University is proud to be ranked among the elite public universities in the nation for challenging our students academically, not financially.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.binghamton.edu/grad-school/
8 / Brandeis International Business School
Waltham, MA
Master’s, Doctoral
Business, Management / Brandeis International Business School provides an education grounded in rigorous economic and financial theory and gives students the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to build rewarding lives as citizens and professionals in the global economy. The school is located in close proximity to Boston, Massachusetts, and is part of Brandeis University, one of the world's leading research universities.
For more information, please visit: http://brandeis.edu/global
9 / Brown University
Providence, RI
Master’s
Education, Training / The Master of Arts in Teaching Program
The Brown Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program is an intensive one year master’s and certification program that prepares tomorrow’s teacher leaders. The program prepares teachers in elementary education (grades 1-6) or secondary education (grades 7-12) English, history/social studies, or science (biology, chemistry, or engineering/physics).
The Master of Arts in Teaching Program at Brown University prepares future educators to enter the classroom ready to create a community of high achievement for all students. With a passionate commitment to equity and social justice, MAT candidates become content experts who create innovative and rigorous learning experiences for youth. The program is intentionally small in size and fosters close collaboration with faculty and mentor teachers.
The Urban Education Policy Program
The Education Department at Brown offers a master's level program leading to an A.M. in Urban Education Policy. The twelve-month UEP program dedicated to the study of policy analysis, planning, and development in urban public education. The tightly focused academic curriculum, integrated with a nine-month internship, is designed to impart a set of core skills and competencies that are necessary for successful careers in urban education policy. The UEP program also provides a solid foundation for those anticipating advanced study in areas related to urban education policy.
The UEP program is designed primarily for recent college graduates and early-career individuals who seek a professional degree in the area of urban education policy or training that would prepare them for advanced study in this area. The program is particularly suited for those who seek a highly focused one-year graduate program that recognizes the dual role of theory/research and practice in developing and implementing sound education policies. The intent is to provide targeted, high-quality, master's level training to the next generation of individuals who will be leaders in the urban education policy arena.
For more information, please visit: http://www.brown.edu/education
10 / Clark University
Worcester, MA
Master’s, Doctoral
General: Multiple Disciplines / Founded in 1887, Clark is committed to engaging in consequential research and practice and to preparing responsible leaders who apply critical thinking and multiple perspectives to local and global issues. Clark's urban location and tradition of community partnerships place Clark faculty and students in an ideal position to exemplify the University's motto, "Challenge Convention. Change Our World."
Clark's focused areas of research excellence are backed by strong Ph.D. and master's degree programs that engage graduate students from around the world in such areas as Master’s Degrees
Accounting (MS), Business Administration (MBA), Community Development & Planning (MA), Education (MAT), English (MA), Environmental Science & Policy (MS), Finance (MS), Geographic Information Science for Development & Environment (MS), Information Technology (MS), International Development & Social Change (MA), Professional Communication (MS), Public Administration (MPA), Dual MBA/MA in Community Development & Planning and Dual MBA/MS in Environmental Science & Policy.
For more information, please visit: http://clarku.edu
11 / Columbia School of Social Work
New York, NY
Master’s
Psychology, Social Work / The Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW) combines opportunities for rigorous academic training with the practical application of social work concepts and skills in the real world. We have more areas of specialization than any other school of social work and are one of only two Ivy League social work schools in the nation. When students graduate, they are prepared to practice as professionals in a wide range of settings -- courtrooms, schools, hospitals, religious institutions in urban or rural communities, in the U.S. or abroad. CSSW prepares problems solvers and agents of social change for the betterment of the world.
For more information, please visit: http://swadmissions.columbia.edu
12 / Columbia University, MPA in Environmental Science & Policy
New York, NY
Master’s
Environmental Science, Public Affairs / Students in the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program enroll in a year-long, 54-credit program offered at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, in partnership with the Earth Institute.
For more information, please visit:
http://mpaenvironment.ei.columbia.edu/
13 / Columbia University, Teachers College
New York, NY
Master’s, Doctoral
Education, Training / Teachers College, Columbia University is more than its name implies—it is an urban, independent, thoroughly diverse and multicultural, comprehensive graduate and professional school of education.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/admissions
14 / Drew University
Madison, NJ
Master’s, Doctoral
General: Multiple Disciplines / The Caspersen School of Graduate Studies at Drew University in Madison, NJ offers humanities based degree programs for full and part time study. The university is situated on a beautiful, wooded 186-acre campus and is located 30 miles west of Midtown Manhattan. Drew offers small class sizes and personal attention to students. Programs offered: Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts in Poetry and Poetry in Translation, Master and Doctor of Arts & Letters, Master and Doctor of Medical Humanities, and Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in History and Culture. Scholarships available.
For more information, please visit:
http://drew.edu/grad
15 / Fordham University Graduate School of Education
Fordham, NY
Master’s, Doctoral
Education, Training / The Fordham University Graduate School of Education offers master's, doctoral, and professional diploma programs. We also offer professional development opportunities for educators, including additional certification and extension programs in special education, bilingual education, TESOL, and literacy. Some programs are funded by scholarships and grants.
Our Graduate School of Education areas of study include Teaching or Education: Initial teacher preparations and advanced master's for those already certified; Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy; Counseling; School Psychology; and Contemporary Learning and Interdisciplinary Research
For more information, please visit: http://fordham.edu/gse
16 / Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
New York, NY
Master’s Doctoral
General: Multiple Disciplines / Fordham University, the Jesuit University of New York, is committed to the discovery of Wisdom and the transmission of Learning, through research and through undergraduate, graduate and professional education of the highest quality. Guided by its Catholic and Jesuit traditions, Fordham fosters the intellectual, moral and religious development of its students and prepares them for leadership in a global society.