GREady: Get Ready for Graduate School

GRE Word of the Day

2007-02-16T14:47:00.000-06:00

salad days \salad days\, noun:
A time of youthful inexperience, innocence, or indiscretion.

Elinor looked outside at Marianne and Mr. Willoughby and could not help but reminisce about her own lost salad days.

A Graduate Student Must Have

2007-02-01T09:50:00.000-06:00

So now that you are in graduate school and signed up for classes, what do you do about the writing requirement? Graduate school writing is very different than undergraduate writing. You must be concise, write about the entire question, realize the importance of your topic, and learn to write for both a broad and narrow audience. Spring Into Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientists by Barry J. Rosenberg

is one such book that will successfully guide you through those grueling classes. Rosenberg's book goes through proper word and grammer useage, planning, power point presentation skills, how to handel e-mail mishaps, and much more. This book is definatly worth the cost at $19.79 at Amazon and should be a part of any graduate student's book collection.

GRE Word of the Day

2007-01-30T12:50:00.000-06:00

Coquette (n.) = A woman who habitually trifles with the affections of men; a flirt.

In Gone with the Wind, the heroine, Scarlett O'Hara, is an insatiable coquette. Many scenes depict her trifling with Rhett Butler’s heart.

Writing the Personal Statement--Part 2

2006-12-31T16:46:00.000-06:00

Now that you have a rough idea of where your personal statement is going, it is a good idea to read other personal statements. Although personal statement books are usually limited to law school, business school and medical school, you can find some good examples at local bookstores, libraries and online stores. Here are a few to get you started:

How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School (Paperback)
by Richard J. Stelzer - I actually used this as my first source. Stelzer goes over what you should expect each personal statement to have and how to utilize your time to be most effective. Lots of examples in different fields.

Peterson's Perfect Personal Statements: Law-Business-Medical-Graduate School (Peterson's Perfect Personal Statements) (Paperback)
by Mark Alan Stewart - This book is good for showing you examples of what not to write in your personal statement. Learn from other people's mistakes.

Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice (Graduate Admissions Essays) (Paperback)
by Donald Asher
This book is the mother load. Great examples of what to write and not write. Also great for the planning stages of the personal statement. A must have for anyone thinking of applying to graduate school.

Free LSAT Practice Tests

2006-11-13T10:14:00.000-06:00

Free LSAT Paper Version Test- will need adobe acrobat to read this file. This is a 1996 test.

Free LSAT Demo- Free Online Princeton Review Version.

LSAT Center Test- LSAT sample.

CollegeJournal- Free LSAT sample test.

GRE Word of the Day

2006-11-01T12:06:00.000-06:00

HUBRIS (n.) = Overbearing pride or presumption.

Sentence: Dr. Frankestein's hubris is best exemplified when he becomes so bold as to believe he can control his creation.

The Statement of Purpose Part I--Getting Mentally Prepared

2006-10-30T18:35:00.000-06:00

You know it has been creeping up on you, the last thing on your graduate school application..yep, you guessed it…your statement of purpose. Most graduate school programs place the majority of their decision based off of your personal statement. A personal statement should state why you want to study this subject, why you need a graduate degree in it, why this particular program, any future plans…..and most of all state that you have PASSION for this type of research. However, it is difficult summing up everything in your heart and conveying it on paper.

First off, you need to make sure you understand the entirety of the personal statement prompt. Write it down in a separate sheet of paper and make a list of all the topics the program wants covered. Most personal statements use the same format so you can use it for multiple programs. That being said you must revise it somewhat to cater to that particular program, which shows that you have done your research and really understand what you want. Stick that list EVERYWHERE. Put it on your computer, your desk, your books, your notebook, your fridge, your phone…..this will prevent you from procrastinating and will force you to always be thinking about it. The best statements are those that have been thoroughly thought over and constructed over the time course of 3-4 weeks. No procrastinating!

Next you will need to brainstorm. Ask yourself these questions:

1) What first drew you to this field?
2) When did you know this is where you wanted to be? Was it gradual or was it just one moment…EUREKA!
3) Are you passionate about it? How? (this is REALLY important so give it ample thought)
4) Do you have any research experience? Shadowing experience?
5) Do you understand what graduate school will be like? This is also important. If the graduate school committee feels that you are not mentally prepared, it might decide to decline you as a candidate.
6) Do you need a graduate school degree, why?
7) What do you want to do with your graduate school degree?
8) Why this program? Also, if you find 1-3 faculty members’ research exciting, be sure to mention it. Furthermore, if you have an idea of what you would like to work on with them, state it.
9) Do you feel you will contribute significantly to the program and to the field at large? This is a major selling point, remember you want the program to want to be associated with you.
10) What makes you think this program is a perfect fit for you?

From here, take a few days to mull over these ideas. Although you are not actually writing anything down at this point, you are still thinking about it and mentally preparing yourself for this challenging task.

In part 2 of this series, I will go over the outline. Once you have an outline, writing the actual statement of purpose will be far easier and go more smoothly than first hacking in. All outlines have a basic format but you decide how to approach the issue at hand.

Stress Busters- How To Handle Stress

2006-10-29T15:46:00.000-06:00

It doesn't matter what day of the week it is, we always have stress. Even the weekends can be nail bitting. An upcoming interview, a test, a paper, seeing your relatives can all add more stress to your life. You definatly can feel it, mentally and physically. However, some people just seem to handle it better than others. Here are a few tips to help you bust the stress:

20 Stress busters:

1) Make a decision and plan around it. Do not ask others to make your decisions for you; you are the one who will have to commit to it and live with it.

2) Exercise daily. Choose an exercise you enjoy doing: jogging, walking, golf, basketball…you name it. Do not overdo it at first. Exercise releases endorphins, which gives you a boost in the day.

3) Listen to relaxing music. Music can really take you away and allow you to relax before starting a big project.

4) Laugh… a lot. The simple act of laughing can do a lot to change your mood.

5) Take charge of your financial situation. Money problems are a big part of stress. Create a budget plan.

6) Schedule a realistic day. Do not try to do too much and allow enough time to finish projects.

7) Develop a social support network—friends, family, classmates and other groups.

8) Have fun. Find a happy medium between school, work and play.

9) Talk out problems with others or write them out in a journal daily.

10) Eat well. Do not eat all that junk food. Junk food makes you feel bloated and ishy.

11) Listen to relaxation tapes.

12) Get enough sleep.

13) Be aware of daily hassles and try to avoid them if possible.

14) Be aware of role contact. Your roles often bump and conflict with one another, i.e. student/brother/father/husband/employee roles.

15) Avoid procrastination. Take action now and plan everything out.

16) Take time for solitude. Sometimes you just need some you time.

17) Create a personal space. Make a retreat and relaxation place.

18) Be aware of your breathing. Take deep breaths when feeling stressed.

19) Replace negative, over critical thoughts with positive statements and affirmations.

20) Be assertive your communication. Ask for help, set limits or boundaries with others. Do not be afraid to say no.

Upcoming Graduate School Fair

2006-10-24T17:13:00.000-05:00

BYU and UVSC are hosting their First Annual Graduate and Health School Fair to educate students about various graduate/health programs and the application process. Over 80 graduate school programs will be represented at the BYU/UVSC Fair. Programs that will be heavily represented include: MBA programs, chiropractics, nursing, army, test preparation help, chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, and neuroscience. Students that attend the fair are encouraged to dress up, bring a resume and contact card, and act enthusiastically. An estimated 1,000 students will attend the fair but numbers could reach as high as 3,000. If you have the opportunity to go the BYU/UVSC, take advantage of all the graduate school contacts you can make. During the application process, you might need to send a cover letter so make sure to mention that you went to the fair and were impressed by the school’s reputation. Furthermore, it is fine to mention the graduate school representative’s name.

The Graduate School Fair will be held October 25, 2006 at the Wilkinson Center Ballroom at BYU.

Behavior Change Plan

2006-10-07T17:26:00.000-05:00

Applying for graduate school is no easy task. Sometimes it requires us to forego a movie with our friends or a much needed shopping fix. Creating a behavior change plan will enable you to fix any type of procrastination and set you on your long term goal to getting into the graduate school of your dreams.

5 Steps for Behavior Change:

1) Monitor your behavior and gather data.
2) Analyze the identity patterns and data.
3) Set specific goals.
4) Devise a strategy or plan of action.
5) Make a personal contract.

GRE Word of the Day

2006-09-12T17:08:00.000-05:00

CUPIDITY (n.) = eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth; greed; avarice.

sentence: King Midas’ cupidity led him to ask Dionysus for a touch that will turn everything to gold. Unfortunately, Midas realized too late that truly everything, including his food, would turn into the precious metal, leaving him with an empty stomach.

Graduate School Funding: Scholarship Search

2006-09-09T15:24:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, most graduate school programs do not offer funding to their students. I was shocked as you are probably right now. I have a friend who is considering entering a program in public health and much to her dismay discovered that the program does not provide students with funding, including most of all tuition expenses. Since graduate school is considered a privilege, many programs will not waive tuition. Largely, I believe the availability of graduate schools to offer funding is based off of what programs are considered "hot", especially those programs considered "hot" to the current government administration. However, this does not mean that you are totally at a loss. There are other sources of funding such as teaching assistant and graduate research positions, fellowships, grants and scholarships. The focus of the post is finding scholarships that will cover a huge gambit of programs.

Before searching the web or the library for graduate school scholarships, some graduate schools and programs do have scholarships that you compete for. Usually these scholarships are within the entire graduate school so you will be competing for that scholarship with potentially 100s of other students from different disciplines. The library at your institution is another great place to start, look in the catalogue for scholarships or ask a librarian to help narrow down your search.

The internet is another option that will have you perusing through possible graduate scholarships as fast as you can say “show me the money!”. Here are a few starting sites to help you along the way:

Fastweb- This is your best choice for finding lots of scholarships under a graduate school heading. Simply fill out a form, which will state your highest degree obtained, interests, gender, age, etc.. By submitting a form, Fastweb will pair your qualifications with scholarships in your field.

SCHOLARSHIPS-GRANTS.NET - This site works similarly to Fastweb. You must fill out a form so that the site will match you with possible graduate school scholarships.

BrokeScholar- Again, similar to Fastweb. This database has over 650,000 scholarship awards listed. Service is free and includes an online calendar to help you stay organized with scholarship deadlines and other important dates.

Scholarship Experts- This service lists scholarships by local, state, national or school specific.

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-08-14T17:07:00.000-05:00

SUSURRATION (n.) = a whispering sound: murmur

sentence: A susurration filled the church as the assembled worshipers intoned the familiar prayers of the Stations of the Cross.

Are You Ready to Plunge Into Graduate School?

2006-08-13T14:31:00.000-05:00

FastWeb, an online scholarship and fellowship search for undergraduate and graduate students, recently published an article detailing questions potential graduate school applicants should ask themselves. Bridget Kulla states that a lot of graduate student applicants do not understand the amount of work that must go into earning a master’s or doctoral degree and are consequently unprepared when they enter into their program.

Salary plays a huge role in whether or not someone will decide to go for another degree. The average salary that person holding his/her master’s degree will earn $10,000 more than those who hold a bachelor’s degree. However, what Kulla does not state that this depends upon which field you will enter. Those who hold a master’s degree in the sciences will tend to make more than those holding a master’s degree in social work. Again, this also depends on what field is popular, how many people hold this type of education title, and who is hiring.

Another important factor is time. You must be able to commitment 2-7 additional years earning your master’s or doctoral degrees. Committing these years solely to education can be stressful but it can also have its rewards. You will be able to climb the career ladder faster than those holding their bachelor’s degree and you will be able to work at a job you’ll most likely be happy with.

In addition to the above, Bridget Kulla has offered some other points you should ponder on.

Kulla’s Questions:

1) What are your future career goals? Do you need an advanced degree to achieve this?

2) Are you really passionate about a particular field? Graduate school studies are much more specific than undergraduate studies. For example, if you are interested in psychology, are you interested in family psychology, clinical psychology, etc.?

3) Are you financially prepared for graduate school? Some graduate school fields do not come with stipends and you must find your own source of funding. Are you prepared to take out loans and end up $27,000 in debt?

Graduate school can be extremely rewarding; however, it is not without its sacrifices. You will have to spend a large chunk of time researching and studying, finding funding and possibly going into debt. Be sure to consider the above questions before applying.

For more information about Bridget Kulla’s article, please click on “Are You Ready for Graduate School?”

Free Vocab Quiz

2006-08-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

Take the Encarta "Dictionary or Fictionary" quiz to see how your vocabulary building is doing. Best of all this quiz is free.

To Start With the "Dictionary or Fictionary Quiz", Click Here!

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-08-09T08:43:00.000-05:00

MUFTI (n.) = ordinary dress that does not denote a calling or station

sentence: At his shelter for runaways, Father Jerry goes about his work in mufti, having learned from experience that his Roman collar is a barrier between him and his troubled charges.

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-08-07T04:03:00.000-05:00

ANCILLARY (adj) = 1. of lower importance, rank or position 2: providing aid or support

sentence: Those who argue that any level of civil defense would be inadequate in the nuclear age have cited that vast numbers of doctors, nurses and ancillary personnel that would be needed in even a limited attack.

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-08-06T07:47:00.000-05:00

MANUMISSION (n.) = liberation from slavery

sentence: Once again, Jews in all parts of the globe will gather round the Seder table to commemorate the manumission of the Hebrew people in ancient Egypt.

Housing Search-Part 2

2006-08-03T18:05:00.000-05:00

This is the second part to Housing Search Basics. So now that you know the types of questions you should landlords(ladies) and reality agents, you need to know where to start looking for housing.

1) Look at Rental and Housing Advertising Magazines and Newspapers. I know this seems like an obvious one; however, by checking out these sources, you will have a better idea of what the housing/apartment market is like and the types of amenities you can expect. A good place to look for housing magazines and newspapers can be at local bookstores (Barnes & Nobel, Borders, etc.), grocery stores, near mall entrances, gas stations, and even motels/hotels.

2) Craig’s List. Did you know that more people advertise and search for housing and employment on Craig’s List than any newspaper? Advertising on Craig’s list is free and the best part of it is that you can access it from your home computer. Craig’s list usually states whether or not the housing building will allow for cats and dogs. Also, it provides contact numbers to the sellers or landlords(ladies) so that you can ask questions or make an appointment to view the place. Remember, you always want to view the place before making a commitment so that you will get a feel for it and know exactly how you will fit with the rest of the tenants and community.

3) Rent.com. This is a great starting place. Rent.com will match apartments and other types of housing based off of specifications by you. For example, on the website’s side button (left), you can fill out a general price range, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you want, and if you need a place that accepts pets. In addition, you can fill in if you expect to have roommates and what move-in date you are looking at. If you find a housing arrangement with Rent.com and mention it to the landlord/seller, you might be eligible to have a rent deduction of $100 for the first month!

4) Apartments.com. Apartments.com works a little differently than Rent.com. To start your search, you must click on the state you will be living in and then check off the city in a provided list. This site is beneficial because it narrows your search based on location so that if you wish to live near the universities, the website will only look for places in that vicinity. In addition to stating how many beds/baths and rent range you would like, you have the option of being more specific with the types of desired and community features.

5) Apartmentguide.com . This website works similarly to Rent.com and will be easy to get a good sized list of apartments, houses and condos. You might want to start your housing search here as it sometimes will provide you with rental coupons and online tours of the housing unit.

6) Ask friends & family in your graduate school area what types of neighborhoods are good and which ones will fit in with your lifestyle. Sometimes sellers do not list housing units in newspapers or online so in order to view the scope of apartments/houses on the market you need to view the neighborhood, preferably by car. Be sure to have a good map, a paper tablet, pen and if possible a cell phone. If you find a housing unit that is up for rent or on the market, write down the contact number and the street address. You might want to contact that person right away to set up a viewing time, hence, the cell phone. I know this search method is a bit of a pain and not as convenient as looking up on a computer but you might be passing up on a perfect apartment/house that the owner never advertised in the paper or apartment websites.

7) Ask your program coordinator and faculty advisor/members. Hey, what better people to ask than those from your program. They understand the stresses on incoming students and the necessity to find a place that will be conducive to their learning. Perhaps they know of a great apartment community that many students from your grad program are staying at or a nice community of scholars and/or professionals.

8) Check the graduate school website out. Sometimes graduate schools’ will post a list of communities that are looking for graduate students in particular. This will only cost a few minutes of your time and is well worth the investment.

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-07-27T17:25:00.000-05:00

HECTOR (vb) = 1: to play the bully: swagger 2: to intimidate or harass by bluster or personal pressure

sentence: Insiders say that for all his public affability, the president of the company hectors his lieutenants without letup and cold-shoulders those on the bottom half the of the totem pole.

Housing Search-Part1

2006-07-26T00:49:00.000-05:00

Attending graduate school can mean living in a new area that might be as different as moving to a foreign country. Part of a successful graduate school career is attributed to living in an apartment or home that is conducive to your learning style such that you will thrive academically, professionally and socially.

Before jumping straight into the apartment/house market, think of the type of environment you would like to spend a good chunk of time studying in. Is it quiet, noisy or a mix of both? Another excellent point to consider is the amount of money you are willing to pay for an apartment/house. If you are planning on living with roommates, the amount of rent you must pay will likely be lower. Also, transportation will play a major role in your final decision. Perhaps you own a car and require a parking space or maybe you plan to ride the bus and need to be near the bus line. It is extremely important if you plan to do science bench research that you understand that you might be in the laboratory late into the night, possibly the best housing location is near the university.

In addition to the above, it is important to have a prepared set of questions to ask the estate realtor or landlord(lady) prior to viewing the place. Here are a few questions that may serve as guidelines for your housing search:

1) How Many rooms are there? What types of rooms?
2) Is there a possibility for roommates?
3) How much is rent per person?
4) Are utilities covered or do I have to pay for them? If so, how much do utilities typically cost?
5) Is a washer/dryer included? If so, is it coin operated?
6) How big are the bedrooms and bathrooms?
7) What type of security do you offer (cameras, deadbolts, etc.)?
8) What type of heating do you have?
9) Is there a deposit?
10) Is there an application fee?
11) Is the rent at a fixed rate?
12) What type of amenities is offered?
a) pool
b) fitness center
c) air conditioner
d) central ac
e) cable
f) internet access
g) garbage
13) Is parking available?
14) Are there any association fees?
15) What is the neighborhood like? Quiet/noisy?
16) What is the crime rate in the neighborhood?
17) What type of lease is it? Year or month to month?
18) Are pets allowed to stay? If so, is there a pet deposit?
19) What type of tenants do you have? Undergraduates, graduates and/or professionals?
20) Is there a rent to own option? If so, how much would the rent increase by and what percent would go towards buying it?

In part 2 of this series, I will go over different search sites and options to get your housing search underway.

Introduction to the Graduate School Application Process

2006-07-25T16:23:00.000-05:00

The University of California Davis' Advising Services has a short video clip that will briefly describe the graduate school application process. Tammy Hoyer, the Assistant Director of Advising Services, takes you through the various aspects that will be evaluated by the graduate school board: G.P.A., GRE, Personal Statement, and letters of recommendation. In addition to Hoyer's video clip, UC-Davis offers other videos that focus more closely on the above aspects. The other video clips can be seen on UC-Davis' Advising Services site. In order to view video clips, you must have Macromedia Flash Player, which can be downloaded for free.

Click here to watch Tammy Hoyer describe the application process!

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-07-25T15:55:00.000-05:00

PLANGENT (adj) = having a loud reverberating sound.

sentence: As plangent organ music resounded through the church, the congregation rose to sing praise to the Lord.

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-07-24T22:04:00.000-05:00

VEXATIOUS (adj) = 1: causing anxiety: troublesome, distressing 2: full of disorder or stress

sentence: During one vexatious period in his life, Eric had to contend successively with a bitter divorce, an equally bitter custody battle, and a change of jobs.

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-07-07T15:52:00.000-05:00

COMPOTATION (n.) = a convival drinking party: carouse

sentence: Although the author's transcript shows that his major was history, his former fraternity brothers claim that a major in coeds and compotations might be more accurate.

20 Things Not to Wear to a Graduate School Interview

2006-07-06T14:44:00.000-05:00

In a previous article, “Dress to Impress”, I wrote about what a potential graduate school candidate should wear to the graduate interview. It is also important to note what candidates should not wear to interviews. As much as we would like to think that personality and talent far outweigh everything else, our appearance is also factored into the graduate school’s final decision on whether or not to make an offer of admission. Below is a guideline of what you should not wear to a graduate school interview.

20 Things to Avoid Wearing to a Graduate School Interview:

1) Underwear as main articles of clothing. Underwear should be kept just as its name implies—it should not be worn as outerwear clothing. Do not wear camisoles (at least ones that are revealing) and make sure that lingerie is not showing. Bra straps should not be visible.

2) Workout gear. Some graduate programs are very laid back; however, even laid back programs expect you to show up in professional attire during the graduate school interview.

3) Soiled, stained or rumpled clothing. Make sure all clothing is ironed and free of stains. The best clothes to bring are ones that do not need to be ironed or are easily pressed.

4) Shorts. The weather might be hot but you should never ever wear shorts to an interview. Instead opt for lightweight clothing with long sleeves and legs.

5) Tattoos. Absolutely do not expose your tattoos if you can help it. Wear long sleeves and pants. Also, use a spray on makeup concealer to cover-up tattoos.

6) Extreme hair color. Wait on that new color. Stick to natural looking colors and natural highlights.

7) Dramatic makeup. Wear light makeup that has natural tones. The best eyeshadow has neutral tones, like tan and brown. Do not cake on makeup.

8) Cologne. Do not overuse cologne. To be on the safe side, use a nice smelling soap or febreeze.

9) Perfume. Again, do not drown yourself in that fragrance. Wear a fruity smelling perfume, if you must, and not a musky scented one. Feel free to spray febreeze on your clothing.

10) Long, fake or wild colored nails. Keep your nails short and neat.

11) Scruffy beards. Clean shaven is best but if you must keep the facial hair make sure it is neat and trimmed.

12) Micro-miniskirts. Remember skirts should only be slightly above the knee and not tight fitting.

13) Torn knee-highs or pantyhose. If you notice a huge run or tear in your stockings, remove them. Believe it or not the tear in your knee-highs is more noticeable than the fact that you are not wearing any at all.

14) Overly revealing attire. Check to insure that everything is in its place. Do not wear clothing that will expose breasts, back and arms.

15) Athletic socks with street shoes. They might be comfortable but it looks like you would rather be out playing baseball than going on the graduate school interview. If your interviews are all over the place bring your dress shoes to change into before your meeting.

16) Sandals. Keep your feet encased in professional looking dress shoes and not sandals. Toes should not be on display.

17) Body piercings. Remove nose, eyebrows, tongue and any other excessive piercings.

18) Bare midriff. Your six-pack stomach might be awesome but it is not something you want to show on your interview.

19) Low-rise pants. Do not show off your underwear and even ahem…the “plumber’s crack.”

20) Icing yourself in jewelry. The rule is that you should not be wearing more than 3 pieces of jewelry. Also, watches count as part of the 3 pieces.

To read more on what you should not wear to graduate school interviews, click on CareerBuilder.com’s article, “What Not to Wear to Work: 15 Things ."

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-07-06T00:10:00.000-05:00

TILAK (n) = an ornamental spot worn on the forehead chiefly by Hindus as a sectarian mark.

sentence: My Indian friend's tilak, which consisted of three horizontal lines across the forehead, indicated that he was a follower of the god Siva.

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-07-05T17:36:00.000-05:00

PRECOGNITION (n) = clairvoyance relating to an event or state not yet experienced.

sentence: If I'd possessed a modicum of precognition, I never would have signed up for those skydiving lessons!

GRE Vocab Word of the Day

2006-07-02T06:41:00.000-05:00

STOICAL (adj) = not affected by or showing passion or feeling; especially: firmly refraining from responding to pain or distress

sentence: David took a stoical approach to his time in the dentist's chair, but it was obvious that he was not happy to be there.

What You Need To Know About Student Loan Consolidation

2006-06-30T00:45:00.000-05:00

The student loan interest rates are expected to sky rocket from 4.75% to 7.25% on July 1, 2006. Consolidating loans before this date could mean thousands of dollars in interests; however, it is important to whether or not to consolidate and if there are any repercussions for doing so. gradPak: Guide To Graduation and Beyond lists the essentials that every recent college graduate should know.

Top 5 Things To Know About Student Loan Consolidation:

1) Make sure that your current student loan interest rates are higher than the consolidation rates. Right know you might be saying, “Duh that is obvious”, but it is worth taking note. Loan consolidation programs are able to provide you with (or should be able to) a lower interest rate by providing you with “borrower benefits.” Borrower benefits are rewards for on-time payments or electric fund transfers that allow you to reduce your interest rate potentially up to 1.25%.

2) Consolidating loans can also mean extending the payment period. This is great for those of us who have problems meeting monthly payments. By extending the payment date, you will not default on your loans and consequently will lower your monthly payments.

3) Consider the long-term costs of consolidation. Like any loan, extending the years of repayment can increase the total amount you must repay. Be sure to factor in the total prior to consolidating. However, if you decide to repay the loan off early, no penalties will be incurred and you can truly benefit from the low interest rate.

4) Check your current payoff status. If you are rounding the final lap in repaying your student loan, you may not want to consolidate your student loans.

5) Ask about the grace-period. When you consolidate your loan, the grace-period changes. You can take advantage of the fixed interest rate; however, you might have to start paying on your student loans immediately.

Other Considerations:

Student loan consolidation will take approximately 30 minutes of your time. There are no fees or credit checks, nor penalties for early repayment of your loans. Shop around for student loan consolidation providers and compare loan benefits (not all providers offer the same benefits of service). Check to see if your alumni association has a preferred provider. The alumni association has essentially done the work for you and found a program with competitive benefits and quality service. gradPak advises that it is best to go with a provider that you trust.

To Read More About Student Loan Consolidation:

“Student Loan Consolidation: an essential step in managing your first debt!” gradPak

Networking 101

2006-06-26T20:03:00.000-05:00

The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business is instructing its students in the “Art of Schmoozing.” The networking lectures include cocktail hours, formal dinners, mock receptions and theme parties. The University of Chicago suggests that all business students devote 10 hours per week making contacts and practice interacting in the above social settings. Although networking is an integral part to succeeding in business, I believe that all graduate and professional school students can benefit from schmoozing. Networking is essential if you wish to apply for grant money or climb the social ladder. Carlos Ontenda, a business school student at the University of Chicago, states that networking is an investment in your future career. Here are a few hints to get you started at building your own professional network:

12 Steps to Easy Networking:

1) Before introducing yourself to anyone, make sure that you have a planned 10 second introduction scheme. This is sometimes referred to as the “elevator pitch.”

2) Work on a firm but not bone crunching handshake. Click here to learn how to execute the All American Handshake.

3) Be passionate about your end goals but do not be overly aggressive. Aggressiveness turns people off.

4) If you are in a networking function, do not talk to any one person more than 8 minutes. Remember the key is to make as many connections as you possible can.

5) Have business cards and résumé. When you come across a person you would like to add to your professional network be sure to hand out your business cards (add e-mail address to the back of them) and your résumé. Also, ask that person if he/she has a business card you could have.

6) Donate 1 -2 hours per week networking. Although the University of Chicago advises that students spend 10 hours/week networking, most of us do not have that kind of time to devote to schmoozing. 1-2 hours should be sufficient enough to create or maintain 1-3 connections. Use the time to research people in your academic field or to meet new faculty/staff within your department.

7) Eat early. This way you will have more time to talk and network.

8) Stand near the food to meet people. People tend to accumulate near food so your best chance to network with the most people is to simply stay where the food is.

9) Know who the leaders are. At networking functions, ask at the information desk for a list of the companies and leaders who will be attending. Be sure to meet with all of these people.

10) The key is listening. Listen 80% of the time and talk 20%. This way you will learn more about your future connection.

11) Write a letter to your new connections. Mention what you discussed with that person to jog his/her memory of who you are.

12) Maintain the connection. Send letters, birthday cards, holiday cards, call them…do whatever you need to do to keep your professional network happy and stable.

To Learn More About Networking, Click On the Following Sites:

"The Art of Schmooze"

Answers to GRE Questions of the Week (06/17/06-06/23/06)

2006-06-26T19:20:00.000-05:00

Verbal:

The correct answer is (C). A wag is defined as a humorous person; a wit; a jocker. Answer (D) is another word for wag, while answers (A), (B), and (E) are not related.

Math:

The correct answer is (B).

$5.00 * 21 = $105.00

4 open CDs were returned--$3.00

$105.00-$12.00 = $93.00

10 Money Shocks for College Graduates

2006-06-22T18:20:00.000-05:00

Pat Curry from Bankrate.com advises all recent college graduates to be cognizant of the top 10 money shocks. Despite what most college students believe, Curry states that “College is not the real world [but]…the final playpen.” The 10 money shocks facing graduates largely concern bills, insurance, credit and believe it or not retirement. Hidden costs that may impact your future are:

1) Gross v. Net Income. Curry writes that most college graduates plan on spending their gross income and neglect to pay attention to their net income. Paychecks are less than what college graduates expect due to deductions for benefits, payroll taxes and income taxes. Curry advises the recent college graduates need to live off of their net income and not their gross salary. To check your net income, go to PaycheckCity.com to use its net pay calculator.

2) Bills. College graduates living in the dormitories until now usually do not have to pay for their own autoinsurance, internet access, cable bill, groceries, utility bills, cable bill and car maintenance. Curry writes that college grads need to keep rent and furnishing in mind also. In order to pay off the above bills, college grads might want to consider taking public transportation instead of buying that hot new car. Curry suggests that graduates, who move to larger cities, contact the alumni chapter to ask them about the typical cost of living.

3) The First Tax Return. Before taking all of your tax information to H&R block, be sure to think about possible tax deductions i.e. business travel and business car use.
4) Car Insurance. This is a biggie. The insurance cost increases in bigger cities. Also, budget in gap insurance if necessary.

5) Health Insurance. College graduates are usually not covered under their parents’ health insurance after the age of 23. Be sure to ask future employers if health insurance is offered and when. Students in graduate school can be offered up to 90% coverage under the university’s health insurance.

6) Other Insurance Needs. Factor in renter’s insurance which will cover personal belongings and liability. Disability insurance should also be considered. Disability insurance is more affordable at young ages.

7) Bad Credit Decisions Made in College. Credit scores follow you for seven years. College graduates typically have $3, 262 in credit card debt and loans between $20,000-31,700.

8) Credit Isn’t Free. Remember the convenience of credit cards come with a price—interest rates and harsh late fees.

9) Student Loans Don’t Go Away. 6 months after graduation you are expected to start paying on all those student loans. Bankruptcy is not an option as student loans are not forgiven.

10) Saving For Retirement. Starting with your first paycheck or stipend (graduate school), you need to put some money aside for a nest egg. Long-term money growth is the key so the earlier the better. Think about placing your money in a savings account, 401K plan, or mutual funds.

To read more about Pat Curry’s article, click on “Top 10 Shocks for College Grads.”

How to Build Your Credit History

2006-06-19T00:14:00.000-05:00

gradPak states that a poor credit score can affect your ability to rent an apartment, buy a house, or buy a car. The ability to pay for an apartment or house is a huge consideration when attending graduate school. Your current credit score will follow you for seven years so it is important not to make any drastic mistakes. To view what potential creditors will see, request your credit reports. You can obtain a free credit report every 12 months from the three nationwide consumer-reporting companies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Click here to request a copy of your credit score. If you are denied credit by a creditor, that creditor has an obligation to inform you why you are not issued credit. Use this as an opportunity to understand what your problem areas are and how to address them. If you are finding difficulties in applying for credit, here are a few tips:

1) Open a bank account. Although it is not officially credit, it shows a history of money management.

2) Sign up for a credit card at a retailer. Retailers are typically less restrictive with who is approved for credit.

3) Get a cell phone. This will also show a history of payment and future creditors will more likely view as someone who would repay loans.

4) Pay student loans. This might be the only credit history you have so far so it is extremely important to show responsibility with payments.

Tips for Establishing Good Credit:

1) Make Your Payments Consistently and Make Them on Time. This is the most important factor in establishing good credit. Credit reports list any late payments, bankruptcy, or collection activity. If you are unable to make payments, call you creditors and see what can be worked out.

2) Keep Your Debt Low. Credit scoring models look at your ration of debt to income. gradPak suggests using the 20% rule- pay outstanding debts and avoid getting into total debt that exceeds 20% of your annual income.

3) Establish History. Creditors look for patterns; therefore, you need a lengthy payment history. Short credit history can be offset if you make timely payments and paying more than your monthly minimum. Most importantly, do not continually switch credit card companies.

4) Stick to a Few Accounts. Look at having only 2-3 credit cards, more than this might have a negative impact.

To learn more about establishing a credit history and applying for credit, view the gradPak money section.

Quote of the Week (06/18/06-06/24/06)

2006-06-18T03:01:00.000-05:00

"Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration and inspiration."

---Evan Esar

GRE Questions of the Week (06/17/06-06/23/06)

2006-06-17T00:40:00.000-05:00

Verbal:

Choose the word most opposite to the prompt.

WAG:

A) Far
B) Teacher
C) Dullard
D) Prankster
E) Dog

Math:

Sam owns a music store and primarily sells CDs. CDs cost $5.00. Sam sold 21 CDs and had 4 open CDs returned. Sam gives $3.00 back to the customer for open CDs. How much money did Sam make?

A) $105.00
B) $93.00
C) $85.00
D) $72.00
E) $69.85

Student Loan Consolidation

2006-06-16T00:24:00.000-05:00

On May 30, 2006 the federal government announced a student loan interest rate increase of 7.25% effective July 1, 2006. Prior to the July 1st deadline student loan interest was at 4.75%. Current college students and recent college graduates now have less than 15 days to lock in the current 4.75% rate. Nelnet and various universities have teamed up and are offering students to consolidate their loans. If students choose to consolidate their loans, they can literally save thousands of dollars. For example, a $20,000 loan that is locked in at 4.75% interest will save a student $10,301 that would cost them under the July 1st interest rate. Nelnet Loan Advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will help to consolidate all student loans. Simply call 1-877-303-7442 or visit their site at www.alumniconsolidation.nelnet.net.

The State of Education in the Union

2006-06-15T18:40:00.000-05:00

In an article by Kris Kendall of MSN, “The Most (and Least) Educated States”, America’s states, including the District of Colombia, are ranked based on the percent of individuals having higher education degrees. Kendall remarks that this is an extremely powerful tool because postsecondary degrees equate to higher earning potential. The top spot goes to Washington D.C., which is not a great surprise considering the amount of lawyers, politicians, teachers, and doctors it has. Washington D.C. aside, the other states that rank in the top are:

1) Massachusetts – 35.8%* with $53, 610**
2) Colorado - 34.7% with $50, 538
3) Connecticut- 34.6% with $56, 803

* percent are those who have a 4yr degree or higher
** average yearly income

States that ranked in the bottom half are:

1) Oklahoma – 21.9% with $35,129
2) Tennessee – 21.5% with $38,247
3) Louisiana- 21.3% with 34,141

The big message from Kendall’s article is that earning a higher degree increases your opportunities for greater financial success.

College Success with Upward Bound

2006-06-14T19:57:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Department of Education’s Trio Program funds both the Upward Bound (UB) and Upward Bound Math/Science (UBMS) Programs, which help high school students prepare for life in a collegial setting. UB and UBMS are six week programs that run approximately from June 11 to July 21 in which students take college classes, conduct field research, live in the residence halls, and listen to various guest speakers on career topics. Typical college classes that UB and UBMS students enroll in are ornithology, college algebra, Spanish, literature and composition. Upon completion of the program, students with grades C or better receive high school credit for participation and those in their senior year receive college credit that will transfer. High school students that are eligible to participate in UB and UBMS must come from a low-income and first-generation for postsecondary education background. To learn more about the Upward Bound programs, please visit the U.S. Department of Education UB and UBMS.

The Art of Answering Interview Questions

2006-06-13T15:53:00.000-05:00

Kate Lorenz of CareerBuilder.com states that the majority of failed interviews are due to nervousness. Since most interviews follow the same format, Lorenz believes that nervousness can be attributed to lack of preparation. Here are some tips for your next interview:

1) Prepare for your interview. Practice at least three hours for each interview.

2) Know the common interview questions and draft responses to them. For commonly asked questions click “Interview Questions.” Practice speaking your responses out load.

3) Read up on the company or graduate school with which you will be interviewing with. Create questions of your own. For possible questions click “Questions to Ask” and “Questions to Ask Graduate Students.”

4) Have good directions to the interview site.

To read more tips on acing your interview, go to "How to Answer These Tricky Interview Questions."

Financial Planning for Recent College Grads

2006-06-13T14:07:00.000-05:00

In “A Survival Guide for College Grads”, M.P. Dunleavey stresses the point that all college grads need a plan for financial security. Dunleavey states that on average, a recent college grad has student loans amounting to $20,000, which means monthly payments of $200. In addition to this, college graduates have credit card debt of roughly $3,000 due to living expenses and books. In order to start making payments while avoiding destitution, Dunleavey suggests that all students need to find a job and fast. Another option is going to graduate school or professional school, which will extend the payment date on loans at least until graduation.

Collegegrad.com advises students to form a strict budget plan needed to obtain a job.

1) Cell phone plan so that potential employers can reach you easily

a. Graduate Buddy’s suggestion: Get a prepaid cell phone so that you are not forced into a year long contract that might have hidden costs (minute overages, roaming charges, disconnection fee, etc.) Prepaid cell phones are just as reliable as cell phone contracts.

2) $200 for interview suit

a. Graduate Buddy’s suggestion: $200 for a suit that you only wear for interviews and to your sister’s wedding seems a little exorbitant. Instead shop at Target, Fashion Bug, or eBay and look like you are wearing a $200 suit instead of forking out the big bucks.

3) $10 for a professional pen so that you look like a serious job seeker

a. Graduate Buddy’s suggestion: Again spending huge amounts of money that you do not have, is not necessary. Buy a professional looking pen on clearance at Target for $3-$6.

In addition to the above Dunleavey states that college grads should keep in mind other expenses like rent, security, deposit, utilities, and invisibles. Dunleavey writes invisibles are all those hidden costs that you never had to worry over before. Invisible costs are items like food, kitchen tools, and other household planning expenditures. All rooms in your apartment have hidden costs:
1) Living room
2) Bedroom
3) Bathroom
4) Kitchen
5) Dining room (Graduate Buddy thinks you can wait on purchasing furniture and other accessories for this room as it is not essential at the start)
6) Miscellaneous (cleaning supplies, iron, iron board, pet supplies)

Dunleavey lists a couple of ways you can check off the above rooms:

1) Price everything you need before going to the store. This way you will not spend over your budget.

2) Peruse the dormitories. College students will leave furniture and other goods in the hallway for the garbage. Instead think of the leftover rule and use them for your own place. Can we say environmental friendly?

3) Go to the dollar stores.

4) Graduate Buddy’s suggestion: Check out second-hand stores such as Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army.

To read M.P. Dunleavey’s article go to “A Survival Guide for College Grads.”

America's Best and Worst Paying Jobs

2006-06-12T06:20:00.000-05:00

Forbes.com and MSN have teamed up to learn about the top best and worst paying jobs in America. Not surprisingly, the best paying jobs are those that involve higher education such as graduate school, law school, business school, dental school and medical school, which just goes to show you that an early investment in your education truly pays off in the end. To view the best and worst paying jobs in America, scroll down or visit MSN and Forbes.

America’s Top 25 Best Paying Jobs

1. Surgeons (treating diseases, injuries, and deformities) - $181, 850
2. Anesthesiologists - $174, 610
3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists - $174,490
4. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons - $169,600
5. Internists, General - $ 156,790
6. Prosthodontists - $ 156,710
7. Orthodontists- $ 153,240
8. Psychiatrists - $151,380
9. Chief Executives - $140,880
10. Pediatricians, General- $140,000
11. Family and General Practitioners - $137,980
12. Physicians & Surgeons outside specialty fields - $137,100
13. Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers - $134,090
14. Dentists, General - $132,660
15. Podiatrists - $111,130
16. Lawyers - $110,590
17. Engineering Managers - $104,210
18. Air Traffic Controllers - $100,430
19. Computer and Information Systems Managers - $100,110
20. Marketing Managers - $100,020
21. Natural Science Managers - $97,560
22. Sales Managers - $96,950
23. Astronomers - $96,780
24. Optometrists - $96,290
25. Law Teachers, Postsecondary - $95,570

America’s Top 10 Worst Paying Jobs

1. Cooks, Fast Food - $15,230
2. Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food - $15,430
3. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers - $15,560
4. Dishwashers - $15,670
5. Waiters and Waitresses - $15,980
6. Shampooers - $16,020
7. Gaming Dealers- $16,210
8. Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession and Coffee Shop - $16,290
9. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop - $16,310
10. Amusement and Recreation Attendants - $16,730

Top GRE Psychology Study Aid Books

2006-06-10T02:52:00.000-05:00

1. Kaplan GRE Psychology, Second Edition (Kaplan Gre Psychology) (Paperback) by Kaplan

2. Cracking the GRE Psychology Test, 7th Edition
(Graduate Test Prep) (Paperback) by

Princeton Review

3. GRE Psychology w/ CD-ROM (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the GRE (Test Preps) by R. Kellogg, R. Pisacreta, and The Staff of REA (Paperback - Nov 30, 1999)

4. ETS GRE Psychology.

GRE Psychology Test: Free Online Practice Tests

2006-06-06T22:13:00.000-05:00

Official ETS Psychology Test

Kaplan Sample Questions

Free Study Manuel

GRE Psychology Test:

2006-06-05T23:49:00.000-05:00

According to PSI CHI, The National Honor Society in Psychology, about half of doctoral-level psychology programs and a third of master's-level programs require applicants to submit scores from the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) Psychology Test. Unlike the GRE that all students take, the subject base psychology GRE is on paper rather than computer. The GRE Psychology Test contains 205 multiple choice questions (5 choices per question) and lasts approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. Subject tests, including the GRE Psychology Test, usually are taken at a university or other specified testing site on three possible dates. Testing dates are listed on the ETS website. In order to register for the GRE Psychology Test, you must print out a form from the ETS website and send it to its main office. The test fee is $130.00.

The scored earned on the GRE Psychology Test is based off of the number of questions you answer correctly minus one-forth of the questions you answer incorrectly. Questions that are left unanswered are not counted towards your final score. By correctly applying the Process of Elimination (P.O.E.) it is possible to gain points rather than lose points in your total.

ETS has a six member committee composed of six psychology faculty members from various U.S. colleges and universities. Each member writes 15 questions for the test and will meet with other group members to discuss what questions should be included on the psychology test.

The GRE Psychology test is broken down into the following sections:

- 40% material dealing with cognition, sensation and perception, learning, and biological psychology
- 43% dealing with social psychology, personality, development, and abnormal behavior
- 17% dealing with research methods, history of psychology, and applied psychology

In reality, the test consists of three of the aforementioned sections that are integrated in all parts of the test.

Graduate School Application Cover Letters:

2006-06-04T18:57:00.000-05:00

Paper applications and supporting material sent via the post to graduate schools require cover letters. Cover letters should be approximately 1-2 paragraphs and contain:

1) What is enclosed in the envelope and why. Do not make the reader guess why you are sending the following materials. State what program you are applying for and for what year/semester.

2) Tell specifically how you heard about their program. Write if their website impressed you, if it was a family member, friend, advisor, faculty, recruiter or mentor. It is appropriate to mention the name of that person in the cover letter, especially if it is a recruiter or someone who works in that program.

3) Convince them to really take a look at your application. Make sure the cover letter is well written and targeted for that program. The department website is a great way to incorporate the main points and goals of that program,

4) Take the opportunity to really show them your attitude. Success in the application process is 80 % attitude. The cover letter should state how excited you are about the prospect of becoming a student in the graduate program.

5) Provide or refer to any information that you would like to highlight about your application or anything you feel you were not able to mention in your application. Work and on-hand experience are great points to focus on.

6) Indicate what you will do to follow up. The best way to write this is to say “I look forward to your decision."

Click on the following sites for cover letter examples:

Overview of Cover Letters and Examples

Graduate School Cover Letter Example

Monster.com Cover Letter Help

About.com Cover Letter Explaination and Examples

Stress Release With Spin Spa ™

2006-06-01T01:50:00.000-05:00

The Graduate School application and interview processes are often stressful so much so that tension builds up in every part of your body. Stress causes at least some of us to be nervous and that is the worst thing to be feeling when taking the GREs or going on an interview. This is just one of the many reasons why the creators of Spin Spa produced an at home spa experience that gives you all the features of an all star salon spa without the wallet busting prices.

The Spin Spa system is a motorized handle with two speeds (high and low) that connects with rotating spa heads. The five heads included in the system are:

- MicroDerm Head that helps slough off dead skin cells and gives skin a smooth appearance
- Mesh Sponge that lathers up liquid soap for gentle exfoliation
- Cleaning Head
- Message Head for tired muscles
- Pumice Head smooths away calluses and rough skin

Spin Spa handle also allows for the easy washing of hard to reach places such as the back and lower legs.

Spin Spa , a $60.00 system, can be purchased for $ 19.99 with s+h on the phone by dialing the following number: 1-800-955-4994 or online for $14.99 with s+h. All orders come with a free silk spa robe.

Replacement heads that include all five Spin Spa heads can be purchased through HSN for $11.00 with s+h.

College Preparation: Postsecondary Education

2006-05-31T18:25:00.000-05:00

Starting in the junior year of high school, students have the option of registering for postsecondary courses. Postsecondary education basically means that students can get course credit for college during high school by attending college classes during their last two years. Most students who decide to take postsecondary classes in conjugation with the assigned high school classes usually register for general education courses since most liberal education colleges require the same classes. It is possible that by seeking this opportunity in junior and senior years that future undergrads could shed up to one year of class taking and be that much closer to receiving their college diploma. Before registering for postsecondary courses, be sure to consider the following points:

1. The College Is Near To Your High School Or Is Easy To Get To. Remember you still are not finished with your high school classes and will need to transport yourself from high school to college and back again. When scheduling classes, try to see if you can register for morning high school classes and afternoon to evening college classes. This way you will not need to go back and forth. Also, leave enough time between high school and college lectures in case you need to use the bus for your means of transportation.

2. Look At the Courses of Your Target College. Get a course booklet from the college you hope to attend after high school, and view the courses offered there to make sure the postsecondary courses you register for will match. Remember if postsecondary courses do no match up precisely, you run the risk of that college not accepting those transfer credits.

3. Check To See If Your Target College Accepts Postsecondary Credits. Some colleges will not transfer postsecondary credits especially if you have obtained them from a two year institution. Be sure to talk with the registrar’s office about this before signing up for any college courses.

4. Be Prepared To Study For Hours On End. College courses, even general education courses, will be harder than your average high school course. Remember for every one hour you spend in lecture, you must study for two hours out of the classroom. This means studying on weekends.

Results to GRE Questions of the Week (04/25/06-05/01/06)

2006-05-02T17:34:00.000-05:00

Verbal:

The correct answer is D. Judge: Gavel is a professional to tool response. Although, both (A) and (C) seem logical, animal and patient are not tools but things professionals interact with. Both (B) and (E) show professions, but not tools are listed.

Math:

The correct answer is A. The area of a circle equal to Πr^2 and the diameter is equal to 2 times the radius. So, A=Πr^2
146m^2/Π = r^2
Take the square root of 46.47m^2 = r
r = 6.817m , since d = 2r
d = 13.6 m

The 5 Major Time Wasters

2006-05-01T09:04:00.000-05:00

1. Spreading yourself too thin by trying to do too many things at once. Suggestion: You must set priorities for each day, and if necessary, each hour. Get the most important things done first.
2. Being afraid to delegate. Suggestion: Convince yourself that it’s not necessary to do everything yourself. You can still be certain things are being done the way you want them to be when you delegate.
3. Not wanting to say “no” to requests. Suggestion: You can’t say “yes” to everything without getting in over your head. Decide what you must do—and want to do—and say “no” to all other requests.
Being tied to the phone. Suggestion: Have others screen your calls. Use an answering machine when you don’t want to be disturbed. Schedule a telephone hour to return calls.
Procrastinating. Suggestion: Get those chores done first—if they’re important. Divide large tasks into smaller ones. Remember yourself when you accomplish something.

Source: Dr. Dan Yager, writing in Woman’s Own, Publications Inc., 1115 Broadway, NY, NY 10010
Communication Briefings, V. XX, N.I

Quote of the Week (04/29/06-05/-05/05/06)

2006-04-29T15:16:00.000-05:00

"Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. "

--Robert F. Kennedy

Anatomy of a Résumé

2006-04-29T15:03:00.000-05:00

In addition to test scores, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and application fees, graduate school programs will also require a résumé detailing your education, extracurricular activities, awards, research, etc.. Programs such as Microsoft Word ® have résumé wizards that can aid you in the formation of your own personalized résumé.

Resumes should have all or nearly all of the following sections:

-Summary (also called a Background Summary)
-Job History with descriptions (reverse chronological order)
-Education and Continuing Education
-Awards/Scholarships/Honors
-Special Skills
-Presentations
-Publications
-Conferences
-Research
-Summer Programs and/or Internships

Summary- This section is not necessarily required in your graduate school résumé. If included, summary should state a brief description of skills and research interests.

Job History- This section should only include jobs that are pertinent to graduate school, such as tutoring, teaching, researching, etc.. However, you may choose to list unrelated jobs if your grades are low and wish to highlight and explain why (i.e. had to take on numerous jobs to pay school bills) later in your personal statement and need résumé as supporting evidence.

Education- This section should list the degree earned and institution you attended. Also, be sure to write G.P.A. and if you received honors. If continuing education classes were taken, write which field classes were listed under.

Awards/Scholarships/Honors – List these in different headings under this and place them in chorological order.

Special Skills – List any skills that you have gained while researching that may set you apart from other candidates.

Research – Write where and when research was conducted. Also, include the major research advisor.

Summer Programs and/or Internships – Please see research.

Below are two examples of résumés. Please note that résumés typically do not go beyond the first page; however, in case it does be sure to write your last name and the page number in the right hand corner so that they program knows it is more than one page. The below résumés are to be used only as examples and are not to be copied. Remember the graduate school program wants to hear about you and your accomplishments. Final Note: Do Not Even Think About Falsifying Any Information As This Could Led To Serious Consequences To Your Graduate School Career.

NAME
Address
E-mail

Education
University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Bachelor of Science, cum laude, May 2006
o Major: Chemistry Minor: Biology
o GPA: 3.472/4.
Honors/Scholarships/ Awards
· Students of Excellence Award, Spring 2005 and Spring 2006
· Dean’s List for Academic Excellence, Spring 2004 and Fall 2004
· Simpson Scholarship, Fall 2003- present
· Sorenson Scholarship, Fall 2003
· American Indians into Science and Engineering Society Scholarship, Fall 2002-May 2003
· Bureau of Indian Affairs Scholarship, Fall 2002-present
Research Experience
· Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, 2005
o Faculty Mentor(s): Richard Hart, Ph.D., and Gary Bufford, Department of Chemical Engineering,

University of California-Davis
o Research Project: “Polymers Used For Synthetic Tissue.”
· McNair Scholars Program, 2003-2004
o Faculty Mentor: Kim Liu, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
o Research Project: “D-serine Detoxification.”
· Native Americans into Medicine, Summer 2002-2003
o Center for American Indian and Minority Health, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota-Duluth
o Research Project: “Myocardial Infarction.”
· High School Super Star Program, Summer 2000-2001
o Faculty Mentor(s): M. Sid, Ph.D., Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota
o Research Project: “The Effect of Copper (II) sulfate on Coliforms found in Lake Superior.”
Publications
· Smith, Jane. & Liu, Kim. (2004). D-serine Detoxification. The McNair’s Scholars Journal of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 5, p.1-13.
Foreign Language Skills
· German, 1997-present
Organizations
· American Indians into Science and Engineering Society, 2002-present
· Alpha-Mu Gamma Foreign Language Honors Society, 2003-present
· Students of Science Organization, 2002-present
· Honors Program, 2003-present
o Earned 12+ honor credits in Chemistry
Presentations
· The McNair’s Scholar 6th Annual Poster Session of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, October 4, 2005, Superior, Wisconsin
· The Research Experience for Undergraduates Program in Chemistry of the University of California-Davis, August 4, 2005, Davis, CA.
· The Committee on Institutional Cooperation SROP 2005 Conference, July 15-17, Madison, Wisconsin
· The 13th National Ronald E. McNair Scholars Research Conference, November 5-7, 2004, Delavan, Wisconsin

Do You Want To Go To Graduate School?

2006-04-28T12:08:00.000-05:00

Perhaps you are sophomore in college or a laboratory assistant in a pharmaceutical company and have been pondering about whether or not to apply to graduate school. The decision to apply and later attend graduate school is a life altering experience and could very well be the biggest decision of your career. Chances are, since you have clicked on this blog, you have seriously given this some thought and only need a little more information to make the final commitment.

First of all I would like to briefly mention that I cannot tell you how many times I have heard potential graduate applicants state that “four to six years is too much time” or simply that they are “too old to try.” These types of negative thoughts can only dim your desire to apply for a short while and leave you later with the question , “what if I had taken the chance?”. You must ask yourself if not applying is worth giving up hope of a better future. A friend of mine told me that the best way to think about it is that odds are in six years you will still be six years older unless you have found a youth elixir, if this is the case, could you share your secret with me? So, would you rather be six years older or six years older with your masters or doctoral degree?

Before applying to graduate school, some other points to consider are the following:

1) Do You Have A Family? An immediate family is a huge factor in going to graduate school. This is especially so if you have children. They, as well as yourself, will have to make a lot of sacrifices such as moving to a new city or maybe even new state, financials, and time commitments. Also, this is a huge factor if you have elderly parents that you are caring for. You will have to make some arrangements if your parents are not able to take full care of themselves for long periods of time, such arrangements should be a part-time care giver. Make sure to have a family meeting to see how the rest of your family reacts to you attending graduate school.

2) Are You Prepared For Long Hours Of Studying? The first two years of a doctoral program are often the hardest. You will be expected to devote a large portion of your time studying for core classes and later for taking qualifying exams. Some universities suggest that when you are preparing for qualifying exams that you might want to attend the core classes again so that they will jog your memory.

3) Do You Like To Research? Right now, you are probably saying to yourself, “Duh, of course I like researching otherwise I would not even be interested in applying to graduate school.” However, some applicants do not realize how integral this is to graduate school. The majority of your graduate school career will be focused on researching, which means long hours in a laboratory and/or libraries. Also, you will have to be prepared to give monthly talks on your research and defend it in front of a committee.

4) What Will You Do With Your Final Degree? This is somewhat far in your future but is worthy of serious thought. Once you have your degree, what do you do with? You must be sure that the job market is favorable for those with masters or doctoral degrees in your field.

5) Is There Funding? One of my friends, who applied to a doctoral program in history, had to take out numerous loans to cover her tuition, books, apartment, and other living costs. This can get very expensive pretty fast. Before applying, see what the graduate school program offers in terms of teaching assistants, research assistants, fellowships, grants and scholarships. Also, check online and at your own university to see if graduate school funding is offered to alumni.

6) Is This What You Really Want? Taking points 1-5 into consideration, try to picture yourself 10-15 years from now. What are you doing? What is your life like? Has your life improved? If you see a favorable picture, you know graduate school is definitely in your horoscope.

Bulking Up Your Credentials: Summer Programs #2

2006-04-28T09:51:00.000-05:00

National Institutes of Health Research Opportunities- Includes both high school and undergraduate summer research. Undergraduate research centers on biomedical study. In addition to having a United States citizen status, applicants must be an undergraduate at an accredited university and enrolled at least half time. The program lasts approximately 8 weeks and summer program candidates usually arrive at the N.I.H. in May or June. The stipends for trainees are adjusted yearly, with supplements for prior experience. For current stipend information, click here. Applications are accepted from November 15 to March 1.

Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program at Harvard University- - The Division of Medical Sciences administers the research training programs for PhD students in the biomedical sciences at Harvard Medical School. The Program is offered for college students from under-represented groups who are seriously considering research careers in the bio-medical sciences. Summer research opportunities will be available in a variety of biological and biomedical sciences including (but not limited to): cellular and developmental biology, cell cycle regulation, cardiac and vascular functions and pathology, studies of blood cells, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, receptor structure and functions, transmembrane signaling mechanisms, study of clotting mechanisms, and virology. Room, board and health insurance are provided by Harvard University. The program lasts for 10 weeks and students are paid $390/week.

The SURE Program- The Summer Undergraduate Research Program at Emory (SURE) allows undergraduate students to conduct supervised research with a faculty mentor. Students receive training in the research methods applicable to their research plan, analyze their data and create written and oral presentations of their results. At the end of the summer, each participant takes part in a formal research symposium. Panels of faculty and graduate students help explore mentoring issues, and make recommendations on how to choose a graduate program and how to balance work and family responsibilities. Speakers address their own involvement in science careers and the requirements for success in their fields. Weekly ethics discussions allow students to explore the ethical aspects of research careers. Awards for popular science essays [optional submission] and scientific posters are made at the end of the program. Approved posters and essays will be published through the program web site.
SURE is sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, by individual contributions by research mentors, and supplemented by funds from an NIH training grant to the Microbiology and Immunology Department. Our program ethics component was developed in part through NSF/REU award from the National Science Foundation.

Undergraduate Curriculum: Testing Out of Courses

2006-04-27T11:59:00.000-05:00

More often than not college students graduate in 5-6 years, which is due to the number of classes needed to complete their bachelor degree. Somewhere in their hectic schedule of taking major and minor classes, they need to find to time to fulfill those general education (gen. eds.) requirements. Testing out of classes is increasing in popularity and is especially helpful in eliminating gen. eds.. Courses that students are usually able to test out of are Freshman English I and II, language classes, survey literature courses, and introductory courses. Testing agencies that offer the above are The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) and Dantes Subject Standardized Tests (DSST). The CLEP test costs about $55.00, while the DSST is $60.00. Also, the university administering the test might require an additional processing fee, which usually is around $15.00. Although CLEP and DSST expenses seem exorbitant, keep in mind that taking the actual course will cost lots more. Besides, what is graduating in 4 years worth? Before taking any of these tests, make sure to contact the registrar’s department and/or program department to affirm that you will receive credit and study, study, study. So if you are looking to shed some of those added college years, click on the following sites:

About CLEP

Register for CLEP

Military CLEP

About DSST

DSST Courses

What to do if you are waitlisted

2006-04-26T14:25:00.000-05:00

Some graduate school programs have waitlist candidates that they feel will fit nicely with their program. If graduate school programs’ do not entice their top choices, they will often offer admission spots to those on the waitlist. Graduate programs might not even notify a candidate that he/she is on a waitlist and many times candidates never know. The tell tale signs that you have been waitlisted is if you have been waiting to hear back from your graduate school program for over a month and/or if you cannot seem to get a definitive answer from the graduate school coordinator or committee. If you believe that you have been waitlisted, do not delay but act so that the graduate program will absolutely know what a wonderful candidate you are and that it simply cannot go on without you. Here are following tips to use if you believe you are on a waitlist:

1) Send a new and current transcript. If your new semester grades are in (most likely fall), send it to the graduate school and graduate program. If there is any unique class you took, such as a graduate school level course, be sure to stress this.
2) Send another letter of recommendation. Perhaps you are conducting a new research project with a faculty member; let the graduate program know through a letter or recommendation. The more faculty members that support you, the better your chances of admission are.
3) Talk with faculty members from the graduate program. Before contacting faculty, read at least one paper he/she wrote so that you can meaningfully discuss his/her research. Faculty love to discuss their pet projects. Once you feel comfortable in conversing and it is at the end of the meeting, you can tell him/her that you are on a waitlist for that program. It is possible that he/she has enough academic weight to get you an admissions offer.
4) Programs. If you are involved in any summer research programs and internships, write the program a letter. This will strengthen the research experience you have in the field. Experience is highly valued in applying to graduate programs.
5) Awards. Receiving any accolades? Tell the program. This boosts credentials and shows the graduate program that you are an emerging leader and will contribute vastly to the program.
6) Apply for outside funding. If you have received outside funding, send the information on to the graduate school program. Faculty members as well as the graduate program committee are more willing to accept someone with funding so they are not dependent upon the funding from research grants like other potential graduate candidates.

Basically, you want to reinforce why the graduate program should accept you, demonstrate that you are a perfect fit for the program and school, address any concerns that the program might have raised about you, and present a polished and mature look. Remember as long as you are waitlisted, there is still a chance for you to win the graduate program over!

GRE Questions of the Week (04/25/06-05/01/06)

2006-04-25T08:36:00.000-05:00

Verbal:

Judge: Gavel

A) Veterinarian: Animal
B) Lawyer: Papers
C) Surgeon: Patient
D) Dentist: Drill
E) Student: Grade

Math:

If the area of a circle is equal to 146m^2, what is the diameter of that circle?

A) 13.6 m
B) 15.1 m
C) 23.2 m
D) 114.5 m
E) 229.3 m

Quote of the Week (04/21/06-04/27/06)

2006-04-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

---John Wesley

Results to GRE Questions of the Week (04/13/06-04/20/06)

2006-04-21T09:44:00.000-05:00

Verbal:

Correct answer is (B). (A), (C), (E) are all synonyms. (D) is an antonym but is not used in the right context.

Math:

Correct answer is (C). A right triangle always consists of a right angle, which is 90 degrees. Since we know that a second angle is 33 degrees, we can find the third angle.
180 degrees (in triangle) = 90 + 33 + x
180 = 123 + x
57 = x

Bulking Up Your Credentials: Summer Research Programs

2006-04-19T11:11:00.000-05:00

It seems like more and more programs expect that students have had a least one undergraduate research experience. Many universities will allow students to work with faculty members either through work study or through an individual agreement. However, it is extremely important to understand that you must diversify your experiences and that the more opportunities you seek, the bigger the edge you will have over other candidates. Some summer programs to consider are listed below:

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program – This program is dedicated to the astronaut and physicist Ronald McNair, who tragically died in the Challenger accident. It is specifically designed for juniors entering their senior year in an undergraduate program. The primary focus is to see minority and/or first generation college students earn their undergraduate degree and pursue higher education in the form of a master’s or doctoral degree. However, in rare cases sophomores are accepted. Depending upon the undergraduate facility, you will either be assigned or decide which faculty member in your field to research with. Also, you will be expected to design a project or continue to research the faculty member’s current project. The McNair Scholars Program typically lasts 10 weeks and involves writing a research paper, including an abstract, which will be published in the university’s McNair journal. A stipend of around $2,000 is also given. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to present your research project in an oral or poster format at the National McNair Scholars Conference.

Research Experience for Undergraduates Program- The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects designed especially for the purpose. This solicitation features two mechanisms for support of student research: (1) REU Sites are based on independent proposals to initiate and conduct projects that engage a number of students in research. REU Sites may be based in a single discipline or academic department, or on interdisciplinary or multi-department research opportunities with a coherent intellectual theme. Proposals with an international dimension are welcome. A partnership with the Department of Defense supports REU Sites in DoD-relevant research areas. (2) REU Supplements may be requested for ongoing NSF-funded research projects or may be included as a component of proposals for new or renewal NSF grants or cooperative agreements. Undergraduate student participants in either Sites or Supplements must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. Most individual REU programs require students to be of junior status. A stipend or around $4,000.00 is supplied to students for living and other expenses. REU students will be expected to present his/her project in a PowerPoint presentation to the university’s graduate school.

Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) - A program to expose talented undergraduates to professional and educational opportunities in the academy. The goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented students who pursue academic careers by enhancing their preparation for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors. The major activity of the SROP is an in-depth research experience with students working one-on-one with faculty mentors. SROP students are required to write a paper and an abstract describing their projects and to present the results of their work at a campus symposium. Each student receives a stipend of at least $2,500 for the summer, plus up to $1,100 toward room and board and travel to and from the host institution. The faculty mentor may receive $500 to cover the cost of the student's research project. The host institutions provide funding for students to attend the annual SROP conference.

Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship Program- The Undergraduate Research Summer Fellowship Program of the Council on Undergraduate Research provides support for a seminal experience in the life of an undergraduate natural or social science, mathematics, or engineering student. Fellowships provide ten weeks of research with a faculty mentor on the student’s home campus. The student and mentor apply jointly. Research projects are conducted during the summer between the junior and senior years. Fellowships currently provide a student stipend of $3,000 - $3,500 and $500 for supplies and materials. Some awards also provide up to $500 in travel funds for the student to present a poster or a talk at a scientific meeting and a $500 stipend for the faculty member who serves as mentor. CUR has established an endowment fund named after CUR founder, Brian Andreen, to support these fellowships. In addition, CUR accepts contributions from individuals and corporate and government sponsors for current-year support.

What To Do If You Do Not Get Accepted to Graduate School

2006-04-17T09:34:00.000-05:00

It can be awfully disappointing to be turned down by the schools you were hoping would accept you. You are an intelligent, talented and charming person, who has great promise for that graduate school field. Although all of these qualities are looked for in a graduate student, the graduate program decision process is largely subjective. If you did not get accepted to graduate school, consider doing the following:

1. Apply earlier (avoid the last six weeks before the deadline). Try applying the week before Thanksgiving.

2. Apply to more schools (six is usually considered a prudent minimum: two safe schools, two middle of the road schools, two reach schools).

3. Apply to more safe schools (even 4.0 students can and do get rejected).

4. Visit the school. Talk with a faculty member you’d like to work with (be absolutely certain to read some of their recently published work first). Also, be sure to write a thank you letter to faculty members you met with and ask even more questions about their research. They love talking about their research and a letter will give a lasting impression.

5. Go to summer school in the targeted subject and do well (it’s easy to get into summer school, even at Harvard).

6. Take one class at a time in the targeted subject and do well (remember: your most recent grades count the most).

7. Get volunteer or internship experiences in the targeted field (even part-time or unpaid). Great programs are the McNair Scholars Program, Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, and the Summer Research Opportunities Program.

8. Work in a “real job” in the targeted field (there’s no substitute for actual experience, and recommendations from supervisors in the profession). See if your advisor has any suggestions on where to look for a job.

9. Get an intermediate degree (such as a master’s or even a credential or certificate).

10. Get older and try again (sometimes, that’s all it takes).

Don’t forget that the best time to apply is early in the fall to start graduate school the following fall, so be sure to plan ahead!

Adapted from Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press, 2000)

Applying to Graduate School: Locating Graduate Programs Using Book References

2006-04-15T17:52:00.000-05:00

Although online resources are extremely convenient and widely used, sometimes they do not show you everything you would like to know about a particular program. The majority of online sources require you to register and pay an online fee to look at all program statistics. Therefore, I believe the best course of action is to find information from the ‘hard copy’ sources. Instead of spending an enormous amount of money to peruse the below listed books, see if your local or university library owns them. If this is not an option, click on this site Best Buys for Textbooks to determine the most cost effective site to buy book references.

Peterson’s Guide To Graduate Schools In the U.S. 2006 – This works similarly to the Peterson’s Guide Online version. However, no registration and online fee are required. Again, this Peterson’s Guide is the most comprehensive source to locating graduate school programs.

Complete Book of Graduate Programs in the Arts and Sciences 2005 by Princeton Review - This book is used for the person thinking about applying to graduate school. It goes over masters programs and doctoral programs. It also states the reasons why you should apply for graduate school. Subsequent chapters tell you about the current programs in arts and science and what each requires.

Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission: Psychology, Counseling, and Related Professions - Is similar to the Princeton Review book except that well, it deals with psychology and clinical psychology programs.

Finding the Best Business School for You : Looking Past the Rankings - Lists business schools according to what you view school strength to be, which insures the best possible match for you.

Guide to American Graduate Schools : Ninth Edition, Completely Revised (Guide to American Graduate Schools) - The usefulness of this book is best put by the words of the following buyer, "The book has profiles on essentially every school in the US with graduate programs, including many I had never even heard of. The profiles explain what programs are available, admittance requirements and procedures, costs, addresses, phone numbers, contact personnel, etc. All the information is extremely well presented and genuinely useful. While I am sure that there are small errors in a book this comprehensive (just like there are errors in any 700-plus page book, be they grammatical or otherwise) this is a great resource for basic research into a school or program. Obviously, when a student has accomplished this first step, they will need to go to individual school websites, talk to schools, and ultimately visit campuses. For general information on graduate programs in the US, this book is the clear champion compared with the other available options. Any prospective graduate student that isn't 100 percent sure what program they want to enroll in should own this book. "

Applying to Graduate School: Locating Graduate Programs Using Online Sources

2006-04-14T14:43:00.000-05:00

Frequently future applicants to graduate students know which field they want to enter but not which program. Furthermore, some areas of study are scarcer than others and can be difficult to locate a program. Here is a list and description of online sources that can be used to find graduate programs:

Peterson's Guide. Peterson’s Guide is the largest listing of graduate programs. You can search by zip code, program interest, or university name. Peterson’s Guide also rates the school and shows what it requires in terms of tests, G.P.A., etc. The side button on the website provides further help in writing your personal statement and finding scholarships.

Find the Right School. This site shows you possible programs by research area and zip code. Furthermore you can see the website’s top pick of graduate schools by looking on the main page. If you click on the school site, you can request information immediately about your desired program.

U.S. News. If you really want to apply to graduate schools that are ranked in the top 10, U.S. News is the place to start. It will show you the top 3 graduate schools in your programs and provide the institution's website. However, to view the top 100, you will need to pay a fee of $14.95.

Graduate School Guide. This site works similarly to Find the Right School.

Other helpful hints are to look up societys and other organizations of your major field to see what institutions they recommend that you apply for. Also, be sure to go to the library and check out books that have current information about graduate school rankings and required information. If there is a specific project you would like to research, check out journals like Pubmed to see if other doctores have similar interest to determine which university he/she is working at. You can seek the help of your advisor, chances are he/she knows the best places to apply to. One final thought is to join a number of summer programs and internships like the McNair program, Research Experience for Undergraduates, and Summer Research Oppertunities Program.

Undergraduate Curriculum: Choosing Your Minor

2006-04-13T11:58:00.000-05:00

In addition to selecting an undergraduate major at the end of your sophomore year, you need to choose a minor. Again, before you select one, here are a few guidelines:

1) Look At The Rule For Choosing A Major. The same rules apply here. Click here for Choosing a Major.

2) Make Sure That Minor Complements Your Major. If your minor coincides with your major, you will be able to make more connections to your major and reinforce what you learn.

3) Check the Classes You Must Take For Your Major and Required Courses for Graduate School. Sometimes your major or graduate school requirements state that you need a certain amount of credits from a particular field. If they amount to 50% or more credits needed for a minor, select this area to complete a minor. It is a huge time saver.

4) Consider A Language. A minor in a foreign language is a definite booster for your graduate admissions score. It is especially helpful if you plan on interacting with a large amount of people on a daily basis. Furthermore, some graduate fields require that you know a particular language to translate papers.

Quote of the Week (04/13/06-04/20/06)

2006-04-13T11:45:00.000-05:00

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."

---Lucille Ball

GRE Questions of the Week (04/13/0-04/20/06)

2006-04-13T11:18:00.000-05:00

Verbal:

Math:

Undergraduate Curriculum: Choosing Your Major

2006-04-11T16:01:00.000-05:00

During your first two years of college, you are expected to take a variety of classes ( which usually amount to your general education requirements) to establish an idea of not only what the college provides, but also what major you would like to graduate with. At the end of your sophomore year you are required to declare a specific major and minor unless there are special circumstances which prevent you from doing so. Prior to making your decision, be sure to look at the following tips and check them off.

1. Take math, science, and English/other language classes. These are usually required and are consequently the major fields involved in graduate school.

2. Make a list of the classes you absolutely hated or did not do well in. If you do not like a class, most likely your grades will reflect it. No one wants to be in a field he/she are desperate to get out of. Also, if you like the field and do poorly in it, your chances of getting into a good graduate program are significantly lowered. See if you can create a special major that centers on your likes but is catered to how you test best.

3. Make a list of classes you particularly liked and excelled in. This gives you a base to make your final decision.

4. Research people who majored in that field and what types of jobs and salary
they have. Trust me; the only reason why the artist is starving is because he/she wants to lose some weight. You cannot simply go into a particular field without having a sufficient financial backing. Also, it is important to keep this in mind if you are planning on having a family of your own anytime soon. Final line: It does you no good if you are doing what you love to do if you have to submit and live in substandard conditions.

5. Get to know the faculty. You will be spending a lot of time with these people anyway so you best just get to meeting them sooner. If you only like one of the faculty members, you will not want to stick with this major. More importantly, meeting the faculty will allow you to see the type of research they do and whether or not it is compatible with your interests.

6. Ask other students. Sometimes a university can be really good with a specifically poor program. Have lunch with other students and ask how they like their major field of study or if they could switch, would they and where would he/she be in. Also, questions students about the faculty i.e. anyone you want to avoid.

7. Ask your advisor. That is what he/she are there for.

8.If you cannot decide. See if you can have a double major that is complementary. In other words do not get a chemistry major and an art major as they conflict. Sometimes majors that complement one another require that you take the same class. Hence the proverbial birds and stone, by taking one class you, complete two requirements. If the above will not do, simply see if you can get more time to make this commitment.

Accepting An Offer Of Admission

2006-04-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

Starting April 15th, graduate programs will ask you to inform them about your decision pertaining to their offer of admission. If you have either decided in the affirmative or negative, graduate programs require you to notify them via a written letter. Listed below is a form stating that the offer of admission has been accepted, please feel free to use this and write additional information that might help cater the letter more to your specific program. If you have decided not to accept an offer, click on declining an offer of admission for further information.

[Date]
[Your address]
[Program address]

Dear [Name of Program],

It is with the utmost pleasure and excitement to inform you that I have accepted your offer of admission to the [program name] program. After visiting your program, I truly knew that none of the [field of study] programs I was accepted to could offer me the critical thinking that the [name of graduate school] would. Quite simply I could not envision myself anywhere else.

I was extremely impressed by the quality of faculty and graduate student research projects and of the research facilities. I thoroughly enjoyed my recruitment meetings with Drs. [name of individuals whom you have met with or corresponding with]. I can honestly see myself working with the entire [name of program] faculty and it will be a difficult decision to choose only three rotations. Again, I look forward to becoming an active student and researching with the [name of program] faculty and students. Thank you so much.

Respectfully,

[your name]
[your e-mail]

GRE Questions of the Week Results (03/31/06-04/06/06)

2006-04-09T16:56:00.000-05:00

Verbal:
A moratorium is an official halt or cessation of an activity. One possible purpose, or use, of a moratorium is to preserve (for instance, to preserve an endangered animal species). Similarly, one possible use of a tree is to shade. The second answer choice is the best response.

The first answer choice: Is one possible use of a revolt to tyrannize? No. The purpose of a revolt might be to stop tyranny (which means "oppressive rule").

The third answer choice: Is one possible use of a problem to solve? No.

The fourth answer choice: Is one possible use of a collection to accumulate? No. The relationship between these two words is just the opposite: One possible purpose of accumulating is to form a collection.

The fifth answer choice: Is one possible use of an eclipse to cover? No. Covering is part of the definition of eclipse.

Math:

450-3x = 320 +5x

130=8x

130/8 = 8x/8

x = 16 ¼

Quote of the Week (04/07/06-04/13/06)

2006-04-08T01:21:00.000-05:00

"Never, never, never give up!"

----Winston Churchill

The Cost of Applying to Graduate School*

2006-04-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

If you are like most candidates applying to graduate school, money is a scarce resource. Before applying to graduate programs, you should have a rough idea of how much it will cost you. Listed below is an itemized account of what each graduate school might expect you to have. Please note that not all graduate schools require their candidates to complete a subject base GRE test and TOEFL. Furthermore, it is possible to have the graduate school waive the application fee if your undergraduate financial aid office can provide the program with a letter stating that you are in financial need or if you are a member of a program that offers waivers, such as the Ronald E. McNair Scholar Program and Research Experience for Undergraduates Program.

1. Graduate Records Exam Registration Fee….$115.00
2. GRE Score Report....$15.00
3. Subject Base Graduate Records Exam….$130.00
4. Subject Base GRE Score Report….$15.00
5. TOEFL….$140.00
6. TOEFL Score Report….$17.00
7. Undergraduate Transcript (must supply one from every institution you have attended)....$8.00
8. Application Fee….$100.00

Total: $540.00 if applying for 1 school

Additional schools will cost you $155.00 per. Graduate program

*Fees are reflected for tests taken in the United States.

GRE Questions of the Week (03/31/06-04/06/06)

2006-03-31T11:33:00.000-06:00

Verbal:

Math:

Results to GRE Questions of the Week (03/23/06-03/31/06)

2006-03-31T11:21:00.000-06:00

Verbal:
The statement that the other senses compensate for partial loss of hearing indicates that the hearing loss is not prevented or corrected; therefore, choices (B) and (E) can be eliminated. Furthermore, the ability to compensate for hearing loss certainly does not facilitate its early treatment (D) or early discovery (A). It is reasonable, however, that early detection of hearing loss is complicated by the ability to compensate for it. The best answer is (C).

Math:
Since Minnesota produced 2/3 and Michigan produced 1/6 of all the iron ore produced in the United States, the two states together produced 5/6 of the iron ore. Therefore, the 18 million tons produced by the rest of the United States was 1/6 of the total production. Thus the total United States production was 6 · 18 = 108 million tons, and Minnesota produced 2/3 (108) = 72 million tons. The best answer is (D).

Quote of the Week (03/31/06-04/06/06)

2006-03-31T11:12:00.000-06:00

"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it."

--The Buddha

Free Practice TOEFL Internet Tests

2006-03-31T09:22:00.000-06:00

Take the below listed tests to determine how well you score without studying. Once you compile the raw data, you will know which areas to focus on prior to taking the official TOEFL.

Free TOEFL Software and Practice Exams

Free TOEFL Practice Test

Free TOEFL Videos

Free TOEFL Tests

Free TOEFL Structure Tests

Sample TOEFL Test and Free Tutorial

Free TOEFL Preparation Exercises

Free TOEFL Study Practice Guide

Free TOEFL Test and Other English Exercises

Free TOEFL iBT (Computer Based) Test

TOEFL Study Aid Books

2006-03-30T13:42:00.000-06:00

In order to do well on the TOEFL, it is absolutely essential that you study. Some great study books are listed below. To find the best price on TOEFL books, go to Best Buys for Textbooks for sources.

TOEFL iBT : The Official ETS Study Guide (McGraw-Hill's TOEFL iBT) (Paperback)by Educational Testing Service (Unknown)
This is really the best book to have if you are taking the computer based version of the TOEFL. It includes an audio CD and a CD that contains a real TOEFL test. This will give you a great idea of how the reading passages will look like. It is a great book for practicing grammar; however, you will need to find another source to practice speaking the English language.

TOEFL Test Preparation Kit (Book, CD-ROM, and 4 Audio CDs) (Paperback)by Educational Testing Service (Editor)
This book contains 14 hours of practice materials with 980 questions from previously administered TOEFL tests. Included are a workbook with five tests plus an additional 140 practice questions; a sealed test exercise book and answer sheet; four audiocassettes with 248 minutes of recorded listening comprehension material and answer sheet instructions; and the
TOEFL Sampler CD-ROM. The CD-ROM contains both Windows and Macintosh versions and includes tutorials, essay topics and sample student essays, and 67 additional practice questions.

Cracking the TOEFL with Audio CD, 2006 (College Test Prep) (Paperback)by Douglas Pierce, Sean Kinsell
In addition to having audio CDs, this book allows for TOEFL test takers to go online and practice real TOEFL tests. Also, it includes the revised version to the TOEFL (the speaking portion). In addition, it includes a supplemental text for foreign students interested in attending a university in the United States.

Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL® Test Book with CD-ROM (Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test) (Paperback)by Jolene Gear, Robert Gear
This comprehensive test-preparation course is ideal for classroom use and self-study. The third edition also includes a CD-ROM component containing seven complete practice tests. Learners may take the tests in study mode, which generates feedback on their responses, or in test mode, which simulates the experience of taking the exam by computer. Fully revised and updated, the text provides a complete tutorial and a wealth of new activities to introduce students to the new computer formats and activity types. Other key features include more than 200 skill-building exercises fully updated for the new exam, 6 hours of listening material available on Cassettes or Audio CDs, a complete grammar review, and an in-depth mini-writing course.

TOEFL Listening Practice (CD-ROM)by Inc. Kaplan
TOEFL Listening Practice offers 2 audio CDs that will help build listening skills.

Vocabulary for the Toefl Test (In a Flash : Vocabulary for the Toefl Test) (Paperback)by Milada Broukal "At some point there may be a word you do not know the meaning of, and there may be no prefix or root to help..." (more)
This item has pre-made flashcards that will increase your vocabulary score on the TOEFL. It features the most commonly used words in the TOEFL.

Delta's Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test: Advanced Skill Practice Audio CDs [UNABRIDGED] (Audio CD)by Nancy Gallagher
Advanced Skill Practice A complete preparation course for high intermediate and advanced students 36 skill units in reading, listening, speaking, and writing Four full-length practice tests Over 1,200 questions in the format of the next generation test Complete answer key and audio scripts Charts to record progress on quizzes and tests Enough material for 15 weeks of study Advanced Skill Practice Audio CDs Companion audio texts for all listening activities in the coursebook Over 9 hours of material on 10 compact disks

How to Prepare for the TOEFL iBT with CD-ROM (Barron's How to Prepare for the Toefl Test of English As a Foreign Language) (Paperback)by Pamela Sharpe Ph.D.
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is now being offered as an internet-based test, or iBT, and the new edition of Barron’s TOEFL manual and accompanying software have been completely revised and updated to reflect the new format. The manual presents seven full-length model TOEFL iBT tests with explanations or examples for all questions, including sample essays and speaking responses. The author also offers general orientation to the new TOEFL iBT, as well as a review of academic skills, which include note taking, paraphrasing, summarizing, and synthesizing. There is also a review of language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The optional CD-ROM presents seven on-screen TOEFL iBT exams that simulate actual test conditions and provide automatic scoring.

Essential Words for the TOEFL (Essential Words for the Toefl) (Paperback)by Steven J. Matthiesen Explore: Citations Browse: Front Cover Table of Contents Excerpt Index Back Cover
Students of English as a Second Language will find vital help as they build a large English vocabulary. Nearly 500 words are listed with definitions and pronunciation help. There is also detailed advice for dramatically expanding one’s vocabulary with help from a standard dictionary and a thesaurus. Practice tests with answer keys help students measure their progress as they develop increased fluency in English.

The TOEFL in a Nutshell

2006-03-29T09:07:00.000-06:00

The TOEFL stands for the Test of English as a Foreign Language and is required for all nonnative English speakers to take prior to entering undergraduate and graduate school. The TOEFL is also used in cases of government, licensing, and certification agencies as well as scholarship programs. It is taken at several times during the year by over 600,000 candidates and is consequently the most widely used international test of English. The TOEFL suggests that nonnative English speakers should only take the test if he/she has completed 11th grade level coursework as the test is considered too difficult to take prior to this.

TOEFL measures the ability of nonnative English speakers to use and understand English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings. The TOEFL is available in paper and computer forms, although paper is the most common form being administered. The paper version lasts approximately 3 hours, while the computer based test (CBT) lasts 3.5-4 hours. The CBT listening and structure sections are computer-adaptive, which means that the difficulty level of each question depends on the correctness of the previous responses. Therefore, the final score reflects not how many the candidate got right, but the level of difficulty the candidate was able to attain. Scores range from 200-800. A score of 400 is typically considered low and a score of 600 or above is considered high. The minimum score required depends upon the program that one is applying to: technical program/2 year college (400), undergraduate program (500), graduate program (550).

The Paper TOEFL tests on 4 sections:

1) Listening Comprehension (30 min.)—Contains 50 questions pertaining to taped conversations. It measures ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America.
2) Structure (25 min.)—Contains 40 questions that focus on correct sentence structure and sentence completion. It measures ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English.
3) Reading (55 min.)—Contains 60 questions that are based on several short passages. It measures the ability to read and understand passages.
4) Test of Written English (30 min.)—It measures the ability to write an essay in English on an assigned topic. This includes the ability to generate and organize ideas, to support those ideas with examples or evidence, and to compose in standard written English in response to an assigned topic.

The Computer TOEFL tests on 4 sections:

1) Listening Comprehension (45-70min.)—Section tests listening capabilities. The types of questions that appear are who said what in conversations between two or more people in academic environments.
2) Structure (15-20 min.)—Section tests the candidate’s knowledge of English grammar. The types of questions that appear sentences in which the candidate must identify the erroneous word(s) and fill in the blank with the appropriate word.
3) Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary (70-90 min.)—Section tests on the candidate’s reading and vocabulary skills. The types of questions that appear are those based on 4 reading passages (usually 300 words each) and concern content, intent of the author, and ideas inferred from the passage.
4) Essay Writing (30 min.)—Section tests candidate’s writing skills. The candidate will be required to write an essay and take a position about a general topic.

It is imperative that candidate’s check whether or not the program he/she is applying for requires or accepts the TOEFL. Some undergraduate and graduate schools require that the candidate take a special English assessment test that the institution administers. The TOEFL costs approximately $140.00 and additional score reports to be sent to programs cost $17.00. Scores are good for two years after the test date.

TOEFL Test Dates
Location/ Date
Africa, Americas, Europe, Middle East, and North Africa/ March
Asia and Pacific Region/ April
Japan and Korea /May
China /August

To learn more about the TOEFL:

Register for TOEFL

About TOEFL

TOEFL Information and Resources

TOEFL

English Club

Facts about TOEFL

The Graduate School Interview: Writing a Letter of Thank You

2006-03-25T13:42:00.000-06:00

After the graduate school recruitment weekends and interviews, the program graduate admissions committee will meet with the faculty members and graduate students you had interviews with to determine if it should make you an offer of admission. So far you have looked the part of the graduate student, done your research and asked insightful questions to both faculty members and current graduate students and have responded wonderfully to the interviewers’ questions. The only thing left is to seal the deal and leave no doubt in the interviewers’ minds that you are a perfect fit with that program. In order to do this final step, you need to write a thank you letter approximately 1-2 days (as soon as possible) after the recruitment weekend.

Key points to include in your letter are:
1) open your letter by saying that you appreciate that he/she took the time out of his/her busy schedule to meet with you
2) mention ( at least a paragraph) of what the two (or more) of you discussed
3) be sure to state that you are excited and enthusiastic about his/her research and becoming a graduate student at that particular program
4) state key points that align you with the program’s major focus
5) include any further questions that you might have, especially about his/her research
6) close by writing that you look forward to the committee’s and that specific faculty’s (or graduate student’s) response

Two example letters are listed below. Notice how the student mentions similar points in both letters but caters what he/she specifically talked, like research focus, about at the interview in his/her letter. Also, the student includes accolades that he/she is about to receive from a very prestigious summer internship.

[Date]
[Address]

Dear [blank: could be Dr. or Mr., Ms.],

I just wanted to thank you for meeting with me on the [recruitment date] for the [program’s recruitment weekend]. It was such a joy for me to discuss your research with Burkholderia cepacia. I find your research to be particularly fascinating, inspirational and just really cool. I am especially interested by the fact that there is a heightened prevalence of B. cepacia in patients with cystic fibrosis. I am especially intrigued by the fact that B. cepacia is able to grow at a pH of 6, which is similar to the pH found in cystic fibrosis patients’ lungs. There was one question I had that I was not able to get to during our visit. I was wondering if you were accepting new graduate students into your laboratory. Your research really combines my two greatest loves in microbiology—pathogenesis and genetics. I really would like to be a part of your lab and study the environmental cues necessary for the function of B. cepacia’s two-component signal transduction system.

I would also like to inform you that I have been chosen as the McNair scholar of the year and will be presented with a plaque on [date]. It was truly unexpected and I feel very honored and humbled by it.

Again, I would like to thank you for meeting with me during the recruitment weekend. It was such a pleasure for me to discuss your research project. I have such a genuinely good feeling about the [list program] and I hope the program has a good feeling about me too. I look forward to your reply and the [graduate program] committee’s decision.

Respectfully,

[Name]
[include e-mail so that faculty’s response is more convenient.]

[Date]
[Address]

Dear [include title and name],

I just wanted to thank you for inviting me to the [recruitment date] recruitment weekend. It was such a joy for me to meet with the [specific program] faculty, staff and graduate students. I particularly enjoyed our talk about the [specific program] program and what the courses and rotations entail. The [name of institution] truly has a unique program, which incorporates and emphasizes the connections between [disciplines in program]. I believe that the [name of program] program offers students research independence that really enhances their own creativity. Furthermore, the diverse fields of study allow students to feel comfortable discussing, studying and later teaching a wide array of scientific fields. This is also reflected by the [name of program] faculty. Numerous faculty members have a primary and secondary focus to their research.

I am especially excited that the [name of program] program allows for students to work on collaborative projects between different tracks. Also, it was fascinating for me to see the laboratories in [specific building]. I am especially intrigued by the no door separation policy that the [name of program] program has initiated. It really creates an openness that fosters partnerships and comradery between laboratories, which in my opinion is the purest spirit of science.

I enjoyed all of the interviews with the faculty. I really can see myself working with all of them and if I am selected for the [name of program] program, it certainly will be a difficult decision to choose only three rotations. I am extremely interested in Dr. [fill in name] and Dr. [fill in name] research and hope to discuss the science behind it more in depth with them via e-mail. I am also excited at the prospect of conducting a joint project between Dr. [fill in name] and Dr. [fill in name] laboratories. In my interview with Dr. [fill in name], he/she mentioned that this would be an excellent option since I am interested in both bacterial pathogenesis as well as immunology.

I remember from our very first meeting two years ago (as a part of the McNair program, we went on numerous graduate visits and I really wanted to view your department) that I was extremely impressed by the [name of specific program] program. This most recent visit added to my awe and fascination of all the research and classes that are ongoing at the [name of specific program] program. I also am interested in your research with integrins and tumor formation. From our last meeting, I understand that you were in the process of developing a mouse model. I was wondering if you would discuss your research more in depth with me; it really is extremely exciting and interesting.

I would also like to inform you that I have been chosen as the McNair scholar of the year and will be presented with a plaque on [specific date]. It was truly unexpected and I feel very honored and humbled by it.

Again, I would like to thank you for inviting me to the [name of specific program] program recruitment weekend. It was such a pleasure for me to discuss various research projects with the faculty. I have such a genuinely good feeling about the [name of specific program] program and I hope the program has a good feeling about me too. I look forward to your reply and the [graduate program] committee’s decision.

Respectfully,

[name]
[e-mail]

Quote of the Week (03/24/06-03/31/06)

2006-03-24T22:15:00.000-06:00

"Failure is taking the path that everyone else does, success is making your own path."

--unknown

The Graduate School Interview: Questions to Ask Graduate Students

2006-03-24T18:41:00.000-06:00

In addition to meeting with several faculty and staff members from your applied program, you will also have the chance to meet with graduate students. This is a great opportunity to find out what the graduate program is really like. The recruitment weekend plan will most likely allow you to talk to the graduate students on outings. Outings might include going to lunch, dinner, shopping and touring the city. Some questions to ask graduate students are:

1) What is your specific area of interest?
2) What are you researching?
3) Whose laboratory/project are you working on?
4) What year are you in?
5) What is the most difficult aspect of being a graduate student?
6) Why did you ultimately chose this program?
7) What do you hope to do after you complete your doctoral/master’s degree?
8) Is it difficult to find an apartment/house/living area in this city?
9) Is there help available to find housing?
10) What are the first two years of the doctoral program like/ what is the first year of the master’s program like?
11) What was your favorite class?
12) What is your minor (concentration)?
13) What faculty members do you not want as an advisor/part of thesis or dissertation review board?
14) What faculty members do not get along with each other?
15) What faculty members teach well, which ones do I not want to have as an instructor for a class?
16) What is the public transportation system like here?
17) Does the doctoral stipend cover your cost of living or is it necessary to find further funding?
18) How is the medical insurance?
19) How many hours per week do you spend researching?
20) What is the emphasis of publishing in your first year?
21) What do you do to burn off stress?
22) How intense is the program?

Click on the following site for more questions to ask graduate students:

Ask Current Graduate Students

GRE Questions of the Week (03/23/06-03/31/06)

2006-03-23T14:13:00.000-06:00

Verbal:

1. Early______ of hearing loss is ______ by the fact that the other senses are able to compensate for moderate amounts of loss, so that people frequently do not know that their hearing is imperfect.

Answers to GRE Questions of the Week (03/16/05-03/22/05)

2006-03-23T13:56:00.000-06:00

Verbal:

The correct answer is tone is to scale. Explaination:In this instance, the best answer must be selected from a group of fairly close choices. The relationship between color and spectrum is not merely that of part to whole, in which case (E) or even (C) might be defended as correct. A spectrum is made up of a progressive, graduated series of colors, as a scale is a progressive, graduated sequence of tones. Thus (A) is the correct answer choice.

Math:

The correct answer is 15. Explaination: Since the average of x and y is 20, = 20, or x + y = 40. Thus x + y + z = x + y + 5 = 40 + 5 = 45, and therefore =15.

The Graduate School Interview: The Overview

2006-03-23T13:13:00.000-06:00

In previous posts we have covered graduate interview dress apparel, interviewer questions, and interviewee questions. Taking note of all the above will help your graduate interview go more smoothly. However, you still might be wondering how things will flow.

Each graduate program is different. You can expect that you will be meeting at least 4-6 faculty members. Typical interviews can last from 30 min. to an hour. You will usually meet with one faculty person per interview; however, this is not necessarily true if you are applying to a professional school (i.e. M.D. D.V.M.). The interviews will go one after another with a possibility of a break after the first hour and 30 minutes.

Write key words about the questions you would like to ask faculty members on a legal pad, which you can keep in a professional looking folder between interviews. Prior to the interview look briefly over the titles of his/her research project. It would be detrimental if you confused interview projects.

Make sure to get to interview about 5 minutes ahead of schedule. Relax for a moment, take a deep, long breath, and get in the right mind set for the interview.

If the graduate interviews are dragging and your mind feels like it can not take another second, pack a hard candy in your pocket or briefcase. On your way to the next interview pop it into your mouth. There is nothing like a little glucose to re-energize your attention.

Most interviews will take place in the faculty member’s office, which might be connected to his/her lab. The offices should be pretty comfortable so be sure to sit on the upper half of the chair such that your back doesn’t hit the chair’s back. This will force you to stay awake and it will look like you are excited and eager to become a graduate student.

This might look like a lot to digest at first but just remember that you have had a lot harder things to face during your college and/or professional career. You have already knocked the socks off the program and now all you have to do is seal the deal. Smile, you are almost there!

The Graduate School Interview: Questions to Ask

2006-03-22T10:29:00.000-06:00

As previously mentioned, graduate school recruitment weekends are not only opportunities for graduate schools to know you, but also for graduate programs to impress you. Furthermore, this gives you a chance to really see what graduate life is like at that location. Remember rule #10- never register for a graduate school without seeing the program and the location first. Graduate school recruitment weekends in addition to letting you meet the faculty also have you meet the graduate students. Be sure to pick the graduate students brains about what attracted them to the program and the location. Graduate school interviewers will expect you to at least have 5 decent questions. Most importantly, if you know who your interviewers are conduct a search of what their current research projects are and if you have time, go and read over their papers. A great place to start for the sciences is Pubmed. Some questions you can ask are:

1) What classes do you teach?
2) What graduate school funding do you commonly give students?
3) Is there a teaching portion to the doctoral/master’s program?
4) Ask a research question…faculty love to talk about their own research
5) What is the attrition rate?
6) How many graduate students earn their degree/ year?
7) What kind of facilities do you have?
8) What is the average amount of years it takes a graduate student to earn his/her degree?
9) What do graduate students do after they earn their degrees?
10) What percent of students in the program are of a minority background? (ask this if diversity is important to you)
11) How many females do you have in your program?
12) Are you accepting graduate students in your (laboratory or research project)?
13) Do you have graduate school housing?
14) What classes should I take in my first semester?
15) Is it possible to have a co-advisor?
16) Is it possible to conduct a collaborative project between two departments for my thesis or dissertation?

Click on the following sites for more questions to ask:

What to Ask During a Graduate Admissions Interview

Questions You Should Ask During a Graduate School Interview

Preparing Your Own Questions

Questions To Ask At the Interview

Questions To Ask To Get a Feel for the Program

Great Questions to Ask

The Graduate School Interview: Interview Questions

2006-03-21T22:08:00.000-06:00

Perhaps the most apprehensive part of the interview is what the interviewer will ask you. Depending upon the program, most interviewers will start out by telling you about his/her research or area of interest. This is especially true if you have applied for a doctoral program. The interviewer most likely is looking for graduate students to work with them during rotations. It is extremely important that you pay attention, some interviewers will go quickly over his/her project and expect you to make a suggestion for a future direction to his/her project, so that you can ask intelligent questions later. Prior to the interview be sure to read up on the interviewer, this will be discussed more in depth in subsequent articles. Furthermore, you can expect that the interviewer has read up on you as well. Sometimes the interviewer might ask you about low test scores or your area of interest. Other questions you can expect are the following:

1) What is the most recent book you have read?
2) What book has influenced you the most?
3) Why did you apply to our program?
4) What interested you most about our program?
5) Have you conducted prior research?
6) What have you researched?
7) What would you like to do with your master’s or doctoral degree?
8) What do you do for fun?
9) What was your favorite undergraduate class?
10) If you have taken time out from school, what have you been doing?
11) What is your specific area of interest?
12) What sets you apart from other candidates?
13) How has your background helped you to identify your research interest?
14) Are you seeking funding for graduate school?
15) Do you speak a foreign language?
16) Who would you like to work with?
17) Are you familiar with my research?
18) What excites you most about graduate school?

Click on the following sites to see more graduate school interview questions:

Sample Interview Questions for Graduate and Professional Schools

Graduate Interview Questions for Psychology

Common Graduate Interview Questions

Graduate Interview Tips

The Graduate School Interview: Dress to Impress

2006-03-20T18:23:00.000-06:00

The interview is perhaps the most needlessly stressed aspect of the graduate application. If you are well prepared in advanced (advanced meaning a couple weeks), interviews should actually be quite enjoyable. Think about it: You have already wowed the graduate program such that they want to get to know you better. This is an opportunity for you to shine and stand apart from the rest of the other applicants. Remember the interview process is also a chance for the graduate program to impress you. This is what I like to call the wine and dine period! Since you are getting ready for the interview ahead of time (right?), our first article will focus on apparel. Look the part of what the program’s ideal candidate is—not looking like you have wads of $ but looking professional (absolutely no jeans).

WOMEN:
1) Perfume. Keep perfume to a minimum. Make it a light floral scent as not to overpower your interviewers. Remember there is a difference between a wisp of perfume versus a major dowsing.

2) Jewelry. 3 pieces only. Consider silver or gold watch, silver/gold earrings (not dangles, choose studs), and a silver/gold necklace OR ring.

3) Suits. Suits should be a pant or skirt. Be sure to wear a nice blouse in case it gets too warm and you must remove your blazer. Check out the following sites for suits:
Target.
Fashion Bug.
JCPenny.
Kohls.
Overstock.

4) Make-up. Light and neutral. Do not overdo this as there is a chance you might appear to look like you will be clubbing.
Mary Kay.
CoverGirl.
L'Oreal.

5) Hair. If getting a haircut and/or dye do it a week in advanced. Get something easy to style that is not too wild.

6) Folder. Bring a nice folder or brief case. No purses as they are sure to distract and get in the way.
Staples.
Office Depot.
Garrett Specialities.
Target.

MEN:
1) Watch. Wear a gold or silver watch (and wedding ring if applicable) only. Chains and necklaces look tacky.

2) Cologne. Use a light sprit of cologne; remember not too much.

3) Hair. See rule #5 in Women’s section.

4) Facial Hair. Keep facial hair to a minimum; don’t look scruffy. Graduate schools are looking for a sophisticated male graduate student not Paul Bunyan.

5) Suit. Wear a 3 piece suit or a nice business top with long sleeves and dress pants. The business top can be a tasteful sweater as well. If wearing a suit top, be sure to use a tie. Also, never, never, never ever wear jeans or khakis. Check out the following sites for suits:
Target.
JCPenny.
Kohls.
Overstock.

6) Folder. See #6 in Women’s section.

Quote of the Week (03/19/06-03/03/25/06)

2006-03-19T14:28:00.000-06:00

"No dreamer is ever too small; no dream is ever too big. "

--unknown

Graduate School Decision: Informing the Program That You Will Not Be Attending

2006-03-19T12:27:00.000-06:00

The deadline date to make a decision about which graduate school you will attend is typically on April 15th. If you have applied and been accepted to numerous schools, you will have to inform which programs you will not be entering and why. Below is a formed letter you can use. Please note that there are blank spaces which you must fill out for your specific program.

[today’s date]
[address of program]
[attn to a specific person]

Dear [Name of Program or Director],

I regret to inform you that I must write to tell you that I will not be attending [name of program] for the fall of 2006. I sincerely appreciate your offer. My financial situation this year prevents me from making the commitment of enrolling in your program.* This decision was not an easy one to come to and I hope that my spot will given to another worthy student who is on your waitlist. Again thank you so much for your admissions offer.

Respectfully,

[your name]

*Frequently, graduate schools will ask why you have not decided to enroll in their program and what program you decided to enter and why. Please feel free to change the reason in the indicated line and add your chosen graduate school.

GRE Questions of the Week (03/16/05-03/22/05)

2006-03-16T08:46:00.000-06:00

Color : Spectrum
	tone : scale
	verse : poem
	dimension : space
	cell : organism

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Answers to GRE Questions of the week (03/09/06-03/15/06)

2006-03-16T08:40:00.000-06:00

Verbal: The correct answer is GYRATE. Gyrate is the most opposite word to stockstill, which means motionless. Gyrate means to spin and move above. Inert and paralyzed are synonyms to stockstill, while dearth (scarcity) has no relation at all.

Math: The correct answer is 3.

4x + 3 = 2x + 9
Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation

4x = 2x + 6
Subtract 2x from both sides of the equation

2x = 6
Divide by 2 on both sides of the equation

x=3

Online GRE Tips and Techniques

2006-03-14T17:45:00.000-06:00

Verbal
This site has great strategies for taking the verbal portion of the GRE.

Overview for the GRE
Tremendous tips to use for the entire GRE.

GRE preparation Tips
Basic help for improving your score.

GRE suggestions
Broad suggestions for taking the GRE

GRE Test Taking Tips and Strategies

2006-03-14T09:34:00.000-06:00

1) Know the Directions Now. This will save on time. Simply dismiss the directions and start answering questions.
2) Carefully Answer Questions in the First Portion of Each Section. Remember this is an adaptive test so if you answer questions correctly in the first portion of each section, you will have higher scores.
3) Do Scratch Work. Think your answers out on paper if they are especially tough. The testing center should provide you with scratch paper. Think it over and use Process of Elimination (P.O.E.) if necessary.
4) If using the paper test, do all the easy questions first and come back to harder questions.
5) Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Remember you are working against the clock; only spend a couple of seconds on easy questions and at most 1-2 minutes on harder ones.
6) Practice, use the study aids described in the previous posting.
7) Bring IDs and ETS voucher with you to the testing center. Forget to bring a calculator since you are not permitted to have one.
8) Have breakfast with a lot of protein. Protein is guaranteed to make you stay awake and feel good.
9) Coffee. If you feel your attention is waning, be sure to get some coffee on your ten minute break or during breakfast.
10) Bring a watch to the testing center. It is easier to use the watch on your wrist than to rely on the one on the computer. Test takers tend to get nervous when they see the computer clock flashing so if you think you might be one of these people, click the clock to make it disappear.
11) If you are getting fustrated with a question, simply take your eyes of the computer for a couple of seconds and take some deep breaths. Remember, you have seen this material before and you have already been successful with it during your college career.
12) Bring some extra pencils. There is no guarantee the testing center will provide with pencils.
13) Know where the testing center is and how to get there. This will reduce stress on test day.
14) Use the headphones. Some testing centers offer headphones to block out excess noise caused by other test takers.

GRE Study Aids and Programs

2006-03-13T10:17:00.000-06:00

From the previous post, you already know what you can expect to be tested on during the GRE. However, it is absolutely necessary that you study at least 2 months prior to taking the GRE. There are two renowned programs that offer help to students: Kaplan and the Princeton Review. You can expect that both programs will cost you a lot of green. These programs are designed for students who cannot really focus and need someone to be watching and urging them to study. I think that if you seriously want to attend graduate school you do not need someone looking over your shoulder. In addition to supplying the program information, this article highlights books, CDs and flashcards that will be extremely helpful in studying for the GRE. My first suggestion in obtaining these study sources is not to buy it out directly but to see if your local or university library has a copy. If not, you can buy these items for less at Amazon or Half.co m.

Kaplan Test Preparation for the GRE:

Kaplan states that by taking their course you will improve your scores by 100 points. Kaplan has a number of online tests for you to take so that you can see what you are weak in. Furthermore, Kaplan offers private tutors that will review math, vocabulary and writing with you. Kaplan offers several plans that you can register for such as an Online course, Private Tutor Sessions, and Classroom course. If you register for a combination of these course you receive graduate admissions consulting for free.

Online Course: $559
Classroom Course and 5 hours: $1,659
Classroom Course: $1,099

The Princeton Review GRE Preparation:

Similarly to Kaplan, the Princeton Review promises a jump in your scores by 100 points. They offer the same options as Kaplan such as the classroom course and online course. The classroom course is stated to have a maximum of 8 students so that all students will have one-on-one time with the tutor. Groups are arranged based on areas of weakness, which are assessed by a practice GRE test. Furthermore, the Princeton Review promises that you will be able to use 4 online tests and receive a free subscription to TIME magazine.

Online Course: $799
Self directed Online Course: $499
Express Online Course: $99

GRE PowerPrep Software

This is provided for by ETS for free. You can either download it from ETS website or request to have it sent to you in the mail. The software contains to full GRE tests and practice problems for math, verbal and the writing analysis. Be sure to use this source as it will give you an idea of how the computer test is set up.

Score It Now

This website, for a fee, will grade your writing analysis. This is great and I do suggest buying at least one test so that you have some idea of how you will be scored. If your score is about a 4 or lower see what you can improve upon. If need be, seek help from the writing center at your university. For one present your perspective and one analysis of an argument, the fee is $10.

The Very Best Coaching and Study Course for the New GRE
Staff REA, David Bell, Pauline B. Travis, Lucille Freeman

This GRE book lists the most common words tested on by ETS. Also, it gives a short but concise math review. It also stressed the importance of knowing angles and other aspects of geometry. Furthermore, it is worth getting this book for the simple fact that it has the most GRE practice tests, 6 to be exact. Also, in the answer section it gives you a full explanation of how ETS arrives at that particular answer.

Cracking the GRE with Sample Tests on CD-ROM, 2005 Edition (Graduate Test Prep) (Paperback) by Karen Lurie, Magda Pecsenye, Adam Robinson, David Ragsdale

If studying for the GRE is something that drives your brain to tears with boredom, be sure to check out this book. Cracking the GRE offers humor when trying to memorize certain words and reviewing over parts of mathematics and grammar. Also, the analysis writing is better explained in this book; it really lets you know what your options are and what to look for in strengthen an argument.

How to Prepare for the GRE Test with CD-ROM (Paperback), 3ed.by Sharon Weiner Green, Ira K. Wolf

This book goes over a great overview of what you can expect to find on the GRE. Although you will find other books to be more complete, this one is worth getting just for the CD. The CD-ROM feature shows what an actual GRE test will look like and gives you a wider range of sample problems in comparison with the GRE-Prep from ETS.

The Ultimate Math Refresher for the GRE, GMAT, and SAT (Paperback) by Lighthouse Review Inc, Lighthouse Review Inc (Editor)

If your math is a little rusty, this is the perfect refresher book. The Ultimate Math Refresher really hits hard on geometry and algebra. Also, it goes over how to solve for standard deviation, which appears in the GRE. Furthermore, the math refresher reviews over graphs and figures.

The Ultimate Verbal and Vocabulary Builder for the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT
Lighthouse Review, Lighthouse Review Inc (Editor)

This book works similarly to the Ultimate Math Refresher. It hits on areas that are heavily tested in the qualitative section. It is a great companion with the math book.

GRE Vocabulary: With 750 Flashcards and Study Book
Easy-Prep Flash Cards

Why waste your time writing down a bunch of vocabulary words that may or may not be on the GRE? Instead buy GRE flashcards, which list the most commonly tested vocabulary. In addition to having a definition and the part of speech, the flashcards also lists antonyms.

GRE in a Nutshell

2006-03-11T13:53:00.000-06:00

The majority of graduate school admissions, with exception, require every applicant to submit an official GRE score. The GRE consists of three sections: verbal (qualitative reasoning), mathematics (quantitative reasoning), and analytical writing. Each one of these sections are scored separately and then are reported in sections and a total score (1600, not including analytical section).

Verbal Reasoning (score range: 200-800):
The Verbal Reasoning section consists of 38 questions, which will be answered in the time limit of 30 minutes. ETS states that the verbal reasoning section measures the ability to analyze and evaluate written material, relationships in sentences and relationships between words and concepts. What you can expect: antonyms, sentences with missing words to fill in, reading passages, and analogies. Sentences and antonyms are the most straight forward; in the case of sentences choose the word the makes the most sense and in the case of antonyms choose the word the most opposite to the major word the test gives you. In the ETS test preparation they include reading passages involved in science and other diverse topics. WARNING: Do not believe test preparation materials. English, History and Art are the topics predominately covered. I know that when I found this out, everyone in my test preparation group could hear me groan. For most of us, history and English just do not hold our enthusiasm and attention. Solution: Prior to taking this section (will appear after analytical writing), bring or see if the testing center has some coffee or other caffeinated beverage. I know most test preparation groups will tell you not to do this as it might make you jittery. However, I say risk being jittery as opposed to falling asleep and or having to re-read the passage more than twice to get just one answer. Furthermore, be aware that there are some key questions that ETS will ask of every passage such as: what is the author’s main point, mood and inference questions (I will go more in depth about this in future articles). Analogies are another topic that is a bit sore for students. For some reason, ETS believes that all graduate students need to master this area. Again, like the reading passages, there are some key relationships ETS is look for: part to whole, whole to part, profession to workplace, thing to function, and intensity (meaning if something is stronger than the other word, i.e. scarcity is to dearth…). If you do not know the answer to a particular question and the Process of Elimination (P.O.E.) is not working for you, just make an educated guess and move on.

Quantitative Reasoning (200-800):

The Quantitative Reasoning section consists of 30 questions, which you will need to answer in 45 minutes. This section is more difficult than the verbal reasoning section so more time is given. ETS tests for mastery of basic concepts in arithmetic, geometry and data analysis, reasoning quantitatively and solving problems in a quantitative setting. Expect a lot of geometry questions. Be sure to review over this heavily. If you are like me, you have not seen geometry since high school. ETS especially likes testing you on angles; look over the rules for interior angles, anterior angles and corresponding anterior angles. The reasoning in a quantitative fashion takes place in the form of a graph or figure. Do not assume these to be easy. The GRE will purposely try to trick you be marking the graph as 10 and having that number represented in a legend saying that 10=10,000. The possible answers to each question are created to stump the student; basically, ETS officials determine what the most common mistakes students would make and then the place those mistakes in the answer choices. Devious, huh? Also, be aware that ETS states that they will only be testing on math encountered by every college student. WARNING: Do not believe ETS. If you are scoring well in the math section, there is a possibility you will receive a calculus question.

Do not spend a lot of time on any one question. Time is your enemy here, even more so than the verbal reasoning section. If you do not know the answer, use P.O.E. and move on. If you are lucky enough to have the paper version, remember you can always go back. Your best bet to do well is just really review over parts of high school and college mathematics.

Analytical Writing (1-6):

Believe it or not folks, this is the easiest section in the GRE. Analytical Writing is usually tested in the beginning and offers a ten minute break afterwards. I suggest that you take this optional break and slam a cup of coffee to wake up for the qualitative section. The analytical writing section consists of two parts, which are combined to give you a score ranging from 1-6. The sections are:

Analyze an issue (45 minutes):

The GRE gives you two prompts, which are a couple sentences stating 2 perspectives that ETS wants you to evaluate. You chose one prompt. Before you click on which issue you want to evaluate (remember, you can’t turn back), make an outline of the one you think you want. Be sure to only spend 5-7 minutes on this since you are working against the clock. If in the start of your outline, you cannot think of what to put next, you know that this issue is not the one for you to discuss so you better chose option B. In your essay you must either: 1) accept the perspective, 2) disagree with the perspective, 3) state that only time will tell or 4) reject the prompt.

The first two options are pretty much straightforward, you like it or you don’t. The third option means you have to give cases for both views and in conclusion say that it is premature to conjecture at present but the future will determine which side will prevail. The fourth option, the one that is less commonly used and is my personal favorite, means that you do not even agree with how the prompt was given. In other words, you can say that the prompt oversimplifies the issue and how or the prompt is too narrow and how that is so. In either case, you must give supporting evidence.

Be sure to leave extra time so you can re-read and edit your response. Your analysis should consist about 5 paragraphs. Intro., three supporting with evidence, and a conclusion that sums up your major points.

Analyze an Argument (30 minutes):

This section is a little bit more challenging. The GRE prompts you with someone’s opinion in a form of an article about a particular issue. Instead of writing about your own perspective, you must evaluate how this argument was given, if there are any apparent flaws and what should be done to strengthen it. Your analysis, like the perspective task, should consist of 5 paragraphs with supporting evidence (also create an outline). Note: these paragraphs need not be long. A lot of the prompts use the argument by anecdote. This is a major problem because it oversimplifies the issue, which you need to highlight. The best way to do this is to state how it oversimplifies it and give examples or scenarios. Also, many articles will focus on numbers, such as the annual sales revenue of Mark’s Apparel for men is $200,000 so if Sally’s Clothing Store produces a men’s line, we should see a jump in sales. You can state that is assuming that men do not care about the specialty of the store and would go to any store that sells men clothing. Furthermore, you can state that it is not certain if that was for a particular month or year. It is expected that during holidays, such as Christmas, sales would go up. In addition, I would put that a cost-benefit analysis should be done or even a poll should be conducted. If you get into specifics, your score should jump to at least a 5.

To learn more about the GRE, go to:

GRE and Psychology Subject Tests

ETS website

GRE Guide

Attention All GRE Test Takers: GRE Overhaul

2006-03-10T17:45:00.000-06:00

Starting in the fall of 2007, ETS will be initiating a revised GRE test, which it says will be geared more towards students entering graduate school. Some of the changes will include a huge decrease in vocabulary testing (gosh, ETS, you don’t think graduate students will need to know what a sycophant is?), more reading passages that will have a broader subject range, graduate reasoning, reduction in the amount of geometry problems, real life scenario problems and use of an on screen calculator. Students planning to register for the GRE in 2007 are shouting cries of joys, those unfortunate to have taken it or need to take the GRE prior to 2007 are also shouting but it is definitely not shouts of joy.

First, on behalf of all students who took and will take the GRE before 2007, I would like to thank ETS for its’ truly innovative idea to revamp the GRE. How revolutionary it was of ETS to implement a computer calculator! Okay, I will admit that I might be making more of the revised GRE than is necessary; however, it does bring into question of how previous test takers will be compared to the ones in 2007. Consider this scenario: two students are applying to the same program for entrance in the fall of 2008. One student, who took the GRE in 2006, decided to take a year off of school and would apply the following year to graduate school. The other student took the revised version. Obviously, the revised version is much more geared towards students applying for graduate students and will result in higher scores in comparison with the older version. This begs the question of how graduate schools will grade the two very different versions of the tests.

I believe that in addition to creating these new test changes, ETS should send with every score report a comparison of the total score of the revised version with that of the older version. For example, a 720 on the new version might only compare with a 510 on the older version. This way graduate programs will be able to accurately evaluate test scores.

To learn more about the revised GRE, click on the ETS website below:

GRE Changes

Let us know what you think about the revised GRE:

Quote of the Week (03/10/06-03/16/06)

2006-03-10T17:23:00.000-06:00

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. "

- Anatole France

Antole France (1844-1924) also known as Jacques Anatole Francois Thilbault was a major French literary character, writer and critic. In much of France's writing he illustrates hostility towards the bourgeois value system which dominated Europe. During the 1920s France's writings were put in the Index of Forbidden Books. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1921.

To Learn More about Antole France, go to:

Books and Writers: Antole France

Antole France Biography

Antole France

Undergraduate Curriculum: Getting To Know Your Advisor

2006-03-09T08:59:00.000-06:00

Networking is essential to the business and academic field. The best place to start your networking experience is in college. One faculty member that you will have to meet on a semester basis is your major advisor. Simply put the undergraduate advisor is the single, most important person to come to for information. Your major advisor will suggest the order of classes you take, propose summer programs to apply for, and most importantly write letters of recommendation. Ah, yes, the letter of recommendation one of the key elements to a successful graduate school application. Many graduate school admission committees will require a letter of recommendation supporting your talent for graduate research from your advisor. For most heavily populated universities, advisors tend to be very hard to reach and will usually just sign off on student schedules. Therefore, it is necessary for you, the student, to initiate what could be a very fruitful relationship with your advisor. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology states that “If you get to know your advisor well at the beginning, there is more of a chance to start an excellent advising relationship.” Here are a few tips to get your advising relationship jumpstarted:

Tip 1: Don’t Be Shy About the Situation. Go ahead and introduce yourself (obviously, first make sure it is during his/her office hour) and tell your advisor how excited you are to be enrolled at your institution and in your program. Make sure to give a firm handshake, while maintaining eye contact. For how to conduct a proper handshake and what to avoid click on the following websites:

The All American Handshake and Measures to Stay Clear Of

How to Give a Proper Handshake

The Secret to a Perfect Handshake

Tip 2: Come Prepared. For every schedule meeting you have with your advisor, make sure you have 1) a print out of your recent semester grades, 2) a list of required classes that still need to be completed and 3) a list of classes that you are planning to register for the upcoming semester.

Tip 3: Enroll. Do not be afraid to enroll in a class that your advisor is teaching. Once your advisor sees your academic performance in one of his/her classes, your letter of recommendation will instantly become much more personal and worthy for graduate committees to see. This could also backfire if you do poorly, so be sure to plan your schedule ahead of time to maximize studying efforts for your advisor’s class. Try to sit within the first two rows so that he/she sees your commitment to the class and to the field in general.

Tip 4: Do Your Research. Conduct a PubMed or other journal research to view recent articles your advisor has published. Approach your advisor during office hours or semester meetings and ask well-thought out questions about his/her research. If you are really interested in your advisor’s research, ask if he/she is accepting undergraduates into their research project or if he/she might consider you for a research position in the future.

Tip 5: Incentive. Find out if your advisor likes coffee, soda, or candy. If you bring one of his/her favorite items into the advisement meeting to share, your advisor will most likely extend your meeting time and ask you questions about your goals and/or graduate considerations.

Best Buys for Textbooks!

2006-03-09T08:23:00.000-06:00

As any graduate student knows, saving on the price of textbooks means more money to pay the rest of the bills. Check out this article I found on Markdownmom:The Bargain Diva, which lists the best ways to find great condition textbooks without getting a hit in the wallet. Thanks Markdownmom!

Textbook Tribulation-How To Save On The Costs of Books

Another semester begins in the life of the college student and among the many necessary expenditures are class textbooks. Here are a few sources MDM recommends for finding bargain textbooks:

Check the Campus Bookstore. Now you may be saying here, "dah-uh, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out." However, the store does sell used books at a cheaper price, usually $10-$2o off and the advantage is that you will have your book for the first day of class, usually. Also, campus bookstores will offer a sale on textbooks if you buy them a month or two in advance.

Check Student Bulletins and Campus Information Billboards. The buyback price of student textbooks by university and college bookstores reflects the greatest depreciation. Therefore, students attempting to recover a bigger share of their investment, will post textbooks for sale at these sites. This is a win/win situation for both parties because the price is more than a buyback by the campus bookstore for the seller, and less than purchasing the book from there by the buyer. The seller should include besides the title, the class number, price, condition, contact phone number and/or email address.

Send Out a Campus-Wide E-mail Alert. University and college servers have a campus-wide email address that faculty and students can use for assignments, events and other notifications. You can send out an S.O.S. message that you are in desparate need of a textbook and are willing to pay x amount of dollars for it. Most likely, you will receive a reply in 1-2 days.

Surf the Net. Textbook Warehouses, Stores, and Auction Sites usually offer better prices for your textbooks since they they increase the pool of potential buyers/sellers. Be sure to keep in mind when buying the cost of shipping and any possible delays that may entail in receiving the book. Here are a few sites to get you started:

Half.com. MDM loves this site. I once bought a zoology textbook for $10, yes that includes shipping, that was $50 used at the local bookstore. Half.com which is owned by ebay works similar to the student bulletin. Sellers list the textbook for sale by typing in the ISBN number, author and/or title in the categories button and the price with shipping options. Be sure to check the seller's feedback rating prior to purchase. Any negative feedback should be checked out to see what the actual complaint was, often times it is the disparity in the stated condition of the book or that the book never arrived. In a hurry? Then do not select media mail for shipping because that can take up to 2 to 3 weeks. Instead choose ground or expedited shipping if offered. Remember to always calculate shipping into the final cost of the textbook!

Barnes and Noble. This is more $$$. One way to lessen your costs is to have a B&N membership (fee is $25). Members save $10 to $30 on books, DVDs, tapes, calendars, cds and Starbuck's Coffee. Shipping is usually free for textbooks of $25 or more. Following the lines of half.com, B & N now features a used textbook section with private sellers listed. The used textbooks are generally $5-$10 cheaper than the regular B & N price. Again, check shipping costs and delivery dates.

Amazon. MDM gives this site a mixed review. Amazon works like Barnes and Noble, but with better prices; items usually are $5-$20 cheaper. However, delivery typically takes longer and unless you do not need your books in a hurry, click on FREE super saver shipping (for purchases over $25) and add "group my items into as few shipments as possible." Before purchase check on when the item ships. If it is usually within 24 hours, you are good to go; however, if it states item will ship in 6-11 business days, watch out! You can face not receiving the book until two weeks into the semester!!! Amazon also features individual sellers for used books.

CheapestTextBooks.com. Cheapest TextBooks acts like a server that will find you the store that is selling your textbook for the best price. Simply type in the name of your book or ISBN number and click "find the cheapest price." A number of stores with a range of prices for your textbook will appear and this will give you a good idea of the best price.

GRE Questions of the Week (03/09/06-03/15/06)

2006-03-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

GRE Questions of the Week (03/09/06-03/15/06)

2006-03-08T23:52:00.000-06:00

GRE Questions of the week will be a reoccurring article on this blog. This will give you an opportunity to try your hand at GRE questions and view other users’ responses. Results will typically follow in one week and will give an explanation.

What word is the most opposite of Hirsute?
	Furry
	Bald
	Bearded
	Neat
	Flocculent

Free polls from Pollhost.com

A right triangle has a 33 degree angle. What is the third angle in the triangle?
	30 degrees
	45 degrees
	57 degrees
	90 degrees
	147 degrees

Free polls from Pollhost.com

PRESERVE : MORATORIUM ::
	tyrannize : revolt
	shade : tree
	solve : problem
	accumulate : collection
	cover : eclipse

Free polls from Pollhost.com

What word best completes the above sentence?
	discovery . . indicated
	development . . prevented
	detection . . complicated
	treatment . . facilitated
	incidence . . corrected

Free polls from Pollhost.com

The average (arithmetic mean) of x and y is 20. If z = 5, what is the average of x, y, and z?
	8 1/3
	10
	12 1/2
	15
	17 1/2

Free polls from Pollhost.com

If 450-3x = 320 +5x, what is x?
	8
	12
	15
	16 1/4
	22

Free polls from Pollhost.com

What is the best answer to the above question?
	27
	36
	54
	72
	162

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Do you think ETS should revise the GRE?
	yes
	no
	not sure

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Given the following equation, 4x+3=2x+9, what is x?
	0
	3
	-3
	1
	-1

Free polls from Pollhost.com

Choose the word most opposite of stockstill.
	inert
	paralyzed
	stolid
	gyrate
	dearth

Free polls from Pollhost.com