Graduate School Information
Are you considering graduate or professional school as the next phase of your journey? If so, be sure you do your homework.
Research Available Programs
Graduate Study at UT Dallas - The University of Texas at Dallas offers a variety of graduate programs at the Master's and Doctoral levels.
UT Dallas Career Center - A number of resources and professional staff are available to assist you with your research and preparation for the application process. The Career Center sponsors the annual Graduate/Professional School Expo. Representatives from various graduate and professional school programs are available to discuss their program offerings, requirements and application processes. Representatives from each of UT Dallas graduate programs are usually in attendance.
Pre-Health Students - Register with the Health Professions Advising Center (HPA Center). The HPA Center works with students in determining the appropriate steps to take to strengthen their application to professional school. The HPA Center furthers knowledge of the professional healthcare educational programs and their requirements for admission for the benefit of any UTD student that desires a career in healthcare.
Pre-Law Students - - Register with the Pre-Law Advising and Resource Center. The Pre-Law Advising and Resource Center wants to help you make informed decisions about your academic and personal preparation for law school and a legal career. They offer guidance from your first year through the law school application process and your eventual matriculation to law school.
Teacher Certification - The UT Dallas Teacher Development Center's Teacher Certification programs provide rigorous, university-based course work with extensive field experience, including student teaching or a supervised post-baccalaurete internship to students interested in making teaching and/or school administration their career. The Teacher Certification program offers options for both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students.
Talk with Faculty - Faculty members who hold the graduate degrees of interest to you are able to give you valuable insight into programs and experiences.
Talk with Current Graduate Students - Graduate students currently in the programs you are researching can be valuable assets as they can share their up-to-date perspective as they live it.
Related Web Sites - In addition to the web sites of individual universities and graduate/professional schools, a number of other web sites give additional helpful information.
- CollegeNet - A portal for applying to college over the web with over 500 colleges and universities listed.
- Yahoo's List of Universities - Alphabetical list of colleges and universities around the world with links to institutional homepages.
- Peterson's Guides - "The Education and Career Center" provides access to over 30,000 individual academic programs with more than 1600 institutions. Also includes helpful information on financing your education.
- Kaplan - Offers answers to questions about continuing your education, including what programs are available, where they are located, how to pay for your education, what tests are required, and how to successfully pass the tests.
- Princeton Review - A compilation of information about various graduate programs and related resources.
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - Information on programs, application processes, residency programs related to the field of medicine.
Pay Attention to Requirements
Prerequisites - Read the fine print! Be sure you know if there are course prerequisites or other experiences and/or qualifications required for admission into the program. Some programs may, however, admit students who do not have all required prerequisites on a probationary status until the requirements are met.
Testing - Many programs require one or more graduate exams as a part of the application process. Because these exams are not always offered in convenient locations or at convenient times, be sure you inquire early. Most of these exams also have a cost attached to them.
- GRE - Graduate Record Exam
- GMAT - General Management Admission Test
- LSAT - Law School Admission Test
- MCAT - Medical College Admission
- MAR - Millers Analogies Test
- TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
UT Dallas Learning Resource Center - The UT Dallas Learning Center administers some of the tests referenced above and has more information on many more.
Other Related Websites - The following sites provide additional resources and information related to graduated and professional school requirements.
- GRE On-line - Provides an overview of the layout of the general GRE test and explanations of the various subject tests. Also listed here is information about application deadlines, procedures, locations and test dates. It also gives you sample questions and allows you to request your scores on-line after you have taken the exam.
- Education Testing Service - Information about the various tests created and offered by the Education Testing Service.
- How To Be A "Good" Graduate Student - Provides guidelines to future graduate students on the kinds of things to expect, the thesis process, and how and when to find help if things become too overwhelming.
Get Started on Applications Early
Contacting the School - A direct phone inquiry to the specific department or graduate college of interest to you gives you the opportunity to ask questions, get immediate answers, and clarify confusing details. Be sure you have your questions ready and consider time zone differences. Of course, you may write to the school instead, but it will take longer to get answers to your questions.
Application Forms - Many schools now have their application forms online. Do not cut corners or be careless. Complete your application materials with care, avoiding errors and misrepresentation of any kind. Be sure to note application deadlines.
Letters of Recommendation - Most programs require two to four letters of recommendation from former employers, professors, or other individuals who are able to provide insight into your candidacy for the program. Plan ahead and make your selection of reference writers carefully. Give your references plenty of lead time to write the letter so you will not miss application deadlines. Provide them with application deadlines and a stamped, addressed envelope. It would also be beneficial to discuss your interest and the specifics of the program to which you are making application with your references.
Transcripts - Most programs require that you send a record of all undergraduate and/or other graduate coursework you have completed. An 'official' copy is usually required from the institution that granted you the credit. You will need to provide each institution with the appropriate mailing address(es) and application deadlines. Most institutions assess a transcript fee for each copy requested.
Personal Essay - Graduate programs also usually require that you submit a personal essay to prove you are a good candidate for their program. This essay should include your academic ability, prior experience, and proof of your dedication to the field of study. Take this step seriously. If an interview is not required, this may be your only opportunity to market yourself directly.
Interviews - Some graduate programs require a personal interview. A personal interview can work to your advantage. It gives you an opportunity to market yourself and show the level of your interest in person and to gather more specific information about the institution and the program. Be sure to ask about potential interviews early so you can be well-prepared. You may also want to consider scheduling a mock interview opportunity in the Career Center to practice your approach.
Links To Other Resources - The following links provide additional help in preparing for your application to graduate and/or professional schools.
- JobWeb - Applying to Graduate and Professional Schools; Provides a comprehensive list of application requirements requested by most graduate schools.
- Graduate School and Careers in Psychology - Provides a focus on resources related to graduate programs in psychology.
- College of William & Mary Guide - Even though this link goes to the William & Mary Career Center page, there is helpful information when considering graduate school.
Consider Financial Matters
Cost of Application Process - Most schools assess application fees that can range between $20 and $100. There are also costs for graduate exams, having scores sent to schools, and having transcripts sent. It is not uncommon for the entire process to cost several hundred dollars. Keep this in mind when you are considering making application to 10 different programs.
Graduate Assistantships - Assistantships vary from program to program and from institution to institution. Some institutions offer a stipend and often some kind of tuition waiver. It is important to submit applications early since there are usually a limited number of positions available and it is a very competitive process. Interviews may also be requested before assistantships are granted; these should be approached like any other employment interview.
Internships - Some programs offer internships that carry academic credit for your work. Not all of these offer a stipend, but some do.
Scholarships - Many schools offer graduate scholarship programs. In addition, there are some federal, state, and locally funded scholarships available to graduate students. Financial Aid Offices on most campuses can assist you in locating information about various scholarship programs.
Educational Loans - Another way to fund your educational endeavors is by securing educational loans. Many of these loan programs carry low interest rates and require no payments until after you secure your degree. The Financial Aid Office also has information on available graduate student loan programs.
Other Resources
FastWeb - The oldest and most popular free online scholarship matching service
FinAid - The most comprehensive annotated collection of information about student financial aid on the web, including scholarships.
FAFSA - U.S. Department of Education site for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Connects to additional information on aid programs
NASFAA - National Association of Student Financial Aid (NASFAA). Several Sections related to financial assistance programs.
Page last updated on June 18, 2009.
