Getting into grad school groove
The most embarrassing part of the Graduate Record Examination for Kelsey Burns was when the Testing Center confiscated her pen.
“I didn’t know you couldn’t have pens. I write with pens all the time,” Burns said. “I really thought he was going to void my test, and I was really embarrassed.”
Burns, a senior in speech pathology, said she had only one week to study for the GRE. Due to a quick change in life plans, Burns also said she only had one month to complete the process of applying to graduate school. The first thing she did was buy the book “GRE for Dummies.”
“I had heard it was the best book because it’s funny and keeps you awake while also teaching you the principles you need to know,” Burns said. “I put off school studying and just did GRE studying.”
One resource Burns said was helpful was practicing GRE tests online by Googling the subject. Since the GRE is taken on a computer and not on paper, Burns said it helped her get a feel for testing on the computer. After she actually took the test, Burns said she felt exhausted.
“I felt like my brain had oozed out of my head in a day and was gone,” Burns said. “And since you get your score at the end, you know right then if you suck or if you will survive and be able to apply to grad school and not be embarrassed. It really sucks you have to take it, but I didn’t die.”
If going to graduate school is still a debate, Burns said she suggests making a pros and cons list.
“The decision has a lot to do with where you are in your life right now,” she said. “Are you moving away, getting married? Are you personally ready for more school? There are so many things you can weigh in your mind if it’s a good idea or not.”
Pete Morris, USU admissions officer, said he graduated with his master’s degree in Asian studies in 1999. He had a wife and four daughters at the time.
“I learned that I could still learn,” Morris said.
This USU admission officer said he wants students to know if they find something they have an interest in academically to not let it pass them by, regardless of their age.
“Time flies by and then you regret not doing it,” Morris said.
Morris said graduate school is a good incentive for “your marketability” and is a way to contribute to people’s world and communities.
One reason Morris said he encourages students to go to graduate school is to find depth in their field of study. Morris said graduate school is not as focused on general education requirements, but there are more specific core courses to help focus on certain interests.
“For those who like to study and learn, it’s a great opportunity to create our own avenues,” he said.
Even with a family to support, Morris said he was committed to completing his graduate degree. Part of getting accepted to the program, Morris said, was to take his GRE test.
“They were horrible, and I never wanted to do it again,” Morris said. “But preparation is the best key.”
Burns said preparation time was her number one problem.
“I felt completely unready a week before to prepare for something I knew nothing about,” she said. “It was really scary, so start thinking about the GRE a little earlier than I did.”
Morris said the GRE is similar to the ACT test taken in high school. Both tests determine a score of acceptance into further education. The first step in obtaining a master’s degree is deciding what someone wants to do, and Morris said this takes time.
“Investigate all your programs,” Morris said. “Once you commit, it will be a hassle to change.”
The second step Morris said to do is logging onto the School of Graduate Studies Web site at www.usu.edu/gradschool. From there, Morris said people can fill out an online application that will be sent to his the admissions office right away. Burns said the online application made her life easier.
“I had the option of working on it and saving it and working on it again which was convenient, because I didn’t have time to just sit down and do it. What college student really has time?”
Once the School of Graduate Studies receives the application, Morris said it becomes the school’s responsibility to contact names the student wrote down concerning letters of recommendation. Morris said this system is “way, way better” compared to the last one, since waiting for recommendation letters usually held up applications in the past. Now, Morris said besides being quicker, there is more overall communication between his department and the person writing the letter.
Burns said she appreciated the time this new system saved.
“You say these are my three letters of recommendation, give them their e-mail address. The grad school e-mails them with instructions,” Burns said. “That was nice. Usually you have to give them envelopes, stamps, addresses, instructions, and I didn’t have to worry about any of that.”
The third step is to take the test. Eric W. Jensen, a testing supervisor, said the school offers the GRE, MILLERS, LSAT and MCAT. Jensen said the GMAT is no longer given at USU but can be taken in Ogden or Draper. Each test refers to a specific program, and Jensen said to call the office for information concerning each test or for scheduled test times.
Applying on time is crucial, and Morris said if you are past the deadline, some departments will not even accept your application. Morris said the best time to start applying is the second to last semester before receiving your bachelor’s degree.
The School of Graduate Studies offers a periodical, “Utah State University Bulletin,” which can be picked up in its office in Old Main Room 164. Morris said this periodical contains information about applications, deadlines, financial aid and programs offered at USU. Listed in the periodical are deadline application dates for each semester.
Jensen said since applications aren’t complete without a test score, contacting the Testing Center early is a good idea to ensure that test scores are processed before your deadline. The busiest periods of testing seem to be November and December, so Jensen said calling early to register for an exam date helps to save heartache later on.
For more information concerning any of USU’s 94 master’s programs or 30 doctoral programs, people can contact The School of Graduate Studies by calling 1-866-USU-GRAD or by visiting its Web site at www.usu.edu/gradschool. For information concerning the Testing Center, which is located in University Inn Room 115, people can call 797-1004.
“If you have an interest in it, just pursue it,” Morris said. “Don’t let it pass you by.”
-britg@cc.usu.edu