Graduate fair prepares students
Utah State University hosted representatives from graduate schools around the country as they visited with students in the Evan N. Stevenson Ballroom of the Taggart Student Center on Tuesday. Sponsored by USU Career Services, the event was held to help students apply on time for various graduate programs.
“The purpose of the Graduate School Fair is to provide an opportunity for students to come and investigate about 98 graduate programs from all over the country,” said Donna Crow, executive director of Career Services and Student Services Assessment. “The grad fair really is about them asking questions of the graduate school representatives.”
Students in attendance, ranging from outgoing seniors to underclassmen still years from graduation, found the fair to be both useful and informative. The orientation covered topics such as application deadlines, advice for underclassmen on how to best prepare for graduate school and what exactly those who have already applied can do going forwards. Graduate school representatives strove to tailor their approach to each student.
“I got some useful information that I needed so I can plan out what I’ll do further down the road here at Utah State,” said Dallin Johnson, a sophomore majoring in pre-physical therapy. “I have a better idea what I’m going to do.”
“I made some good connections with a couple of the graduate programs I applied to,” said Derek Rickson, a senior business administration major who is applying to dental school. “I just wanted to know the best thing I can do now that I’ve applied and am waiting for interviews.”
Those considering graduate school often worry about things such as admissions tests or their perceived lack of competence – whether it’s based on undergraduate record or otherwise and financial concerns.
“They ask, ‘Am I eligible?’, ‘Do I have the GPA I need to get in?’ They want to know about financial support,” said Janet Fonoimoana, a representative from the Brigham Young University Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate program. “[What I want them to know is that] it’s possible to get into BYU graduate school. It’s not as competitive to get into as the undergrad [programs].”
Her sentiment was shared by other graduate school representatives in attendance, who similarly emphasized the possibilities available to students of varying undergraduate histories.
“Don’t worry about the specific degree that you get for your undergrad, worry about those transferable skills that can take you to a masters,” said Kirsten Elliott, a representative from the University of Utah Master of Public Policy.
Although the fair has now ended, the office of Career Services, along with many of the representatives and students in attendance, have one resounding message for undergraduate students with graduate school plans: begin planning now.
“We’ve got all kinds of guides in our office, written guides and online as well,” Crow said. “It’s a process. I recommend giving yourself the time to make that decision and get into the school of your dreams”.