Applying to Graduate School
Graduate School Links 

Pre-Admission Tests

Depending on the degree sought and the area of specialization, graduate programs require different tests. The most widely used test is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), a comprehensive test offered several times a year at various colleges and institutions. It is scored the same as the SAT and some programs may require a minimum score for acceptance. Application booklets for the GRE are available in the Career Services Center.  Many colleges and universities will accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) in place of the GRE.  Check information on the colleges and universities you are interested in to be sure. 

A graduate program in Law would require you to take the LSAT. Information on this test can be obtained from Dr. Robert Gill, the pre-Law advisor. Most MBA programs require the GMAT, Graduate Management Admissions test; medical programs normally require the MCAT. Other tests may also be required. Be sure to find out from the institutions to which you are applying about the tests you will need to take.

When you apply for a test, be sure that the test results will be received before the application packet deadline and indicate to which institutions they are to be sent. Test results usually take about six weeks. Be sure to include testing fees, if applicable. Some tests (e.g., GRE) will allow late entry on testing day if spaces are available. Take fees with you.

GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE)

Schedule the computer-based general test at Sylvan Learning Centers in Roanoke (540-344-3688).  Subject tests are given at Virginia Tech; call the counseling office at Virginia Tech (231-6557) for more information.  Do an on-line sample test and get test preparation information at www.kaptest.com . For more information pick up the Information and Registration Bulletin at the Graduate College (Preston Hall) or visit GRE Online at http://www.gre.org.  

MILLER ANALOGIES TEST (MAT)

The MAT is administered at Radford University by  Dr. Paula Stanley.  She can be contacted at 831-5835 or pstanley@radford.edu. Visit MAT online at http://www.hbtpc.com/mat/index.htm

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST (LSAT)

In order to pursue Pre-Law, most colleges and universities require the LSAT.  Visit LSAT online at http://www.lsat.org. Go to the LSAT Practice Lab and get other test preparation information at www.kaptest.com and/or prepare for the test at www.prepmaster.com. Dr. Robert Gill is the pre-law adviser.  You can reach him at (831-5534) or (rgill@radford.edu) for questions.  The LSAT is given at Virginia Tech. Call the counseling office at Virginia Tech (231-6557) for questions.  Registration booklets are available in the Graduate College (Preston 213)

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

In order to pursue an MBA, most colleges and universities require the GMAT.  Visit GMAT online at http://www.ets.org/gmatets.html . The GMAT is  given at Virginia Tech.  Do an on-line GMAT sample test and get test preparation information at www.kaptest.com  For more information, call the counseling office at Virginia Tech (231-6557) for questions.  Registration booklets are available in the Graduate College (Preston 213).  Dr. Wayne Saubert is the MBA Director at RU.  He can be reached at (540) 831 5258.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

In order to pursue Pre-Medicine, most colleges and universities require the MCAT.  RU Chemistry majors should contact Dr. Rhett Herman (831-5441) or (rherman@radford.edu).  RU Biology majors should contact Dr. Mary Roberts (831-5639) or (mdrobert@radford.edu).  The MCAT is given at Virginia Tech.  Do an on-line sample test and get test preparation information at www.kaptest.com  For more information, call the counseling office at Virginia Tech (231-6557).   Visit MCAT online at http://www.aamc.org/stuapps/admiss/mcat/start.htm

Click here to links for additional graduate school information

After four (or more) years of study at the undergraduate level, college students must choose between the job market or additional academic training. While a Bachelor's degree will qualify you for many jobs, a graduate degree may open up new doors. If graduate (or professional) school is in your plans, begin the process of obtaining information and choosing a school at least one year prior to graduation.

Choosing a Graduate Program

Choosing a graduate program is a process which requires research and careful consideration. The following suggestions will help you to organize the process...

  1. Since graduate level education requires specializing in a field, you must first decide on the field you're interested in. You can do this with the assistance of a faculty or CSC advisor, or by talking to professionals in a variety of fields. (The Alumni Career Network is one source of professionals to ask for information.) The book Accounting To Zoology, Graduate Fields Defined, available in CSC, also describes the major graduate school fields.
  2. Use Peterson's or Barron's guides to graduate programs to get an overview of the schools offering the program you've selected. These directories will provide application requirements, tuition costs and other relevant information. Write to the address provided for a current catalog and program description for those schools in which you have an interest.
  3. Once you've decided on your field of study and have narrowed down your choice of schools, a closer look should be taken at the curriculum and faculty. The curriculum should be able to meet your expectations as far as what you hope to gain from your experience. Talking to current students or faculty can give you a better picture of what the program offers. Also, the graduate catalog of a particular school will detail courses and requirements. The faculty has a major role in the reputation or quality of a program. A brief look at the areas of specialization within the faculty could yield a clearer picture. Does the faculty focus on an area of research of interest to you? How often do they publish? What is their training? Once you've researched the curriculum and the faculty, find out what type of job placement and student services are offered. Some questions to consider are...
  • Where are alumni working now and are they successful?
  • What kind of job search assistance is offered?
  • What percentage of graduates locate jobs?

Applying to Graduate School

Applying to graduate programs takes patience and organization. Most schools have deadlines between January and March for the following Fall Semester, but make sure you know the individual school(s)' requirements. Since requirements will vary, you can use the checklist provided on the last page to give you a timetable to plan for deadlines. Know what tests you're required to take and the testing dates. Recommendation letters, transcripts, application fees and essays are often required and have to be planned for in advance so that deadlines don't "sneak up on you".

Transcripts

Admissions committees require official transcripts to be sent from all colleges attended. An official transcript is one that possesses an official college seal and is sent directly to the admissions office without going through the applicant's hands. Some programs may want a complete packet sent and request that official transcripts be included by you. In this case, a transcript will be sealed in an envelope that you can include with your materials. To request a transcript to be sent, you must request it in writing and sign for it at the Registrar's office. At Radford University, transcripts are sent free of charge. To play it safe, request transcripts at least four weeks before they are due.

Letters of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation is a statement which attests to the applicant's potential for success in the graduate program and beyond. Most schools require two or three letters. For academic degrees, faculty members are the best references, though work supervisors or employers can also offer good insights.

Recommendation forms are usually provided with the application and include a space for you to choose to waive or retain your rights to the recommendation. Many people believe that a letter carries more validity if you waive that right. If you choose to waive your right when asking someone to write a recommendation, make sure you will be written a good one! Give that person ample time to write a good, detailed letter and if you feel it's necessary, you can provide them with your transcript, a copy of your application essay or a copy of a recent research paper.

If a recommendation form is not provided in the application materials, the individual writing the reference will use his or her own letterhead. Give the person a self-addressed stamped-envelope (SASE) to expedite the process and insure convenience.

Finally, it is a good practice to write a thank-you note to each person writing a reference. They have done a favor for you and you want to demonstrate courtesy. Also, you may need to ask for their help again in the future.

The Application Essay

Some schools will require one or more essays or "statements of purpose" to get an impression of the applicant and their writing style. Essay topics vary, but generally, what is looked for is:

Keep the essays positive! Few things look worse than trying to explain the negative points of an essay to an admissions officer. They don't want to hear explanations.

Lastly, the presentation is very important. Type your essays and double-check the spelling and grammar. The essay is representative of you so it has to be neat and error-free.

Interviews, Portfolios, and Auditions

An interview may be required by some programs. Prepare for it just as you would a job interview. Some controversial questions could be asked to throw you a curve ball, so anticipate what might be asked. (Ask appropriate RU faculty for advice.) Plan for what you want the interviewer to know about yourself and present the information when the opportunity is given. Remember that the interviewer is more interested in "how" you think than "what" you think.

Programs requiring visual creativity such as Art, Architecture, Journalism or Graphic Design may require a portfolio. A portfolio should showcase your skills and talents. You may be asked to present your portfolio to a reviewer. Mailing the portfolio or leaving it with an employer is done at your own risk. The employer is not insured against its loss, so it is a good idea to label all of the pieces with your name and address in case they are misplaced.

Auditions would be required for Music, Theater or Dance majors. For a performance major, the audition is the most important element of the graduate application. A live performance will usually be scheduled though sometimes a tape will be sufficient. The performance will be reviewed by a committee of professionals who will evaluate you according to their prescribed standards.

Acceptance of a Program

Once you've been accepted into a program, you can further narrow your choices by visiting the campus (if you haven't already) and deciding if it is somewhere you'd like to spend the next couple of years. By visiting the campus and surrounding community, you can decide what type of financing you'll need to afford both tuition and housing.

Financing Graduate School

Your choice of schools shouldn't be limited by the cost of the education. There are several routes a student can take in obtaining financial aid. Through loans, scholarships, grants or fellowships your education can be financed and allow you to attend schools that would otherwise be unaffordable.

Applying for aid can be time consuming. Plan to apply for it when researching your program of study. This will allow you to identify the aid that is particular to each school.

Most grants and fellowships are awards that require no service in return. Other fellowships offer stipends for work performed, often at a professional level (e.g., Research or Teaching Assistantships). They often cover the cost of tuition plus a small amount to cover living expenses. Grants and fellowships can be based on financial need or academic merit and some are awarded without financial need as a factor.

Loans, unlike the other forms of aid, need to be paid back. A loan should be applied for after other resources have been researched and the need for additional money is realized.

There are several ways to finance your education. After contacting the Financial Aid Office at the prospective school for a list of graduate financial assistance programs, pursue other possibilities through foundations, scholarships and grant programs. Some of the references listed at the end of this handout are useful for identifying alternative sources of financial support.

Helpful References

You can use these helpful references for applying to/deciding on graduate programs:

Available in the Career Services Center library

Possibly Helpful Websites:

Educational Testing Consultants, Inc.-GRE, MCAT, DAT, OCAT PCAT, VCAT, AHPAT
eCollege
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