Today’s date is May 21, 2011. Assuming that the world doesn’t end today (*sideeyes*), many of you are gonna have to start pre-planning your way to the next phase of your life.
And while people love to take positions in black and white and without any inkling of shades of gray or context (you’ve heard these folks – the “it’s dumb to go to grad school” crowd), for some of you out there, grad school will be necessary to step into your career of choice.
It’s summertime for undergraduates across the nation and NOW is the time to start making solid plans for grad school.
But wait – what? – I just finished the semester. I want some down time. I’m not ready for this. And plus… applications aren’t even out yet.
Before you go into a tail spin, I’m talking about taking that very first step to preparing yourself to apply to grad school. If you haven’t done it already, you want to start doing your research:
Still undecided on whether grad school is right for you?
If you’re still on the fence, it’s OK, but let’s work towards a solid decision before Fall semester. Do you actually know everything you *need* to know about grad school? Spending some time doing some summer reading from a reputable guide to grad school will serve you well.
Getting What You Came For is an excellent book that I read myself when I first started my Ph.D. program. It came so highly recommended that it was given to me *for free* during a summer program I participated in before beginning doctoral level work (and everyone else who attended as well). It’s definitely recommended reading for even *before* you apply to grad school, especially if you’re wrestling with the question of whether a masters or doctorate program is the right choice for you.
Test Prep – What Works For You?
Will you need to take any entrance exams? Will you study with do-it-yourself guides? Or do you need the structure of an actual test prep course? Will Kaplan, Powerscore, or Princeton Review best help you meet your goals? Which courses are even available in your area?
Will Your Resume Stack Up to the Competition?
Have you checked out your academic/work resume lately? Do you have any volunteer or work experience to prepare you for the field you want to go into? What about extracurricular activities that speak volumes about your character and potential to do well in your advanced degree?
Hello…. Some Guidance Please?
You may be like a lot of people and you feel like there’s something missing that may otherwise strengthen your profile as a great grad school candidate. If so, then maybe you need an objective eye to talk about what kind of experiences you could be participating in in the meantime that will pay off in spades before the admissions committee. Now’s the time to go in and have a heart-to-heart chat with your undergraduate advisor, if you haven’t done it already. Also schedule some time to sit down with a professor and talk “grad school” – what does it take to get in and critically analyze to see if you are indeed doing everything that you *can* be doing to set yourself up to success.
Graduation Day comes a lot quicker than you realize. Your entrance to the “Real World” can either be a rude awakening or a smooth transition, but the winners are those who start preparing for it today.
Yes, even when you’d rather be sun tanning on the beach.
A few hours of missed sunlight is worth stepping soundly into your future, right?
