Our Voice

    At some point in your college career, you are going to have to decide what you would like to do after graduation.  This includes thinking about whether or not you want to attend graduate school.  
    This is not a choice you should put off.  The admissions process for graduate school is intense and time consuming.  Therefore, you need to start deciding if graduate school is right for you well in advance.
    We say this because it’s already hard enough to balance your undergrad degree, extracurricular activities, family and more, and adding in graduate school is just going to make your life more stressful, so plan early.
    Be aware though, that graduate school isn’t for everyone.  You do not need to be attending if you’re just looking to find yourself because we promise that grad school isn’t about that.  It’s about research and professional advancement, and if you’re not willing to make a full commitment, then you don’t need to go.
    But if you are one of the few that are willing to sacrifice your sanity and your bank account, then good for you, just be prepared for a challenge of a lifetime.
    And believe us when we say, the challenge starts the day you decide you want to apply.
    Applying for graduate school is the hardest task for most.  The application process consists of letters of recommendation, GRE scores, transcripts, a resume and an admissions essay.  This can be overwhelming to many, but our advice is to get help from those around you.
    That’s why it’s so important to have professional relationships with your professors.  We at GCSU are lucky because our school is small, and most of our professors know who we are.  Use that to your advantage.  Ask your professors to write you a recommendation and to look over your essay, because they are the ones who know you best in the classroom and they are going to be the ones who can help you the most.
    And realize that the GRE needs to be taken seriously.  Don’t put off studying to the last minute, unless you are a genius, because if you wait until a day before the test you are not going to do well.  Plus, it cost $130 and seriously, who wants to pay that twice?
    Just be aware that graduate school is not a walk in the park.  The entire process is difficult, but rewarding at the same time.  Getting accepted to your first choice not only will put a smile on your face, but will also relieve all the tension you have put on yourself.
    Just be aware that having a back up plan is always a good idea, too.  Even if it leaves you working at the local deli, it’s still better than not working at all.
    So go and be prosperous and good luck!

 
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Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 23 2007. Filed under Opinion, Our Voice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry