For some students, receiving an undergraduate degree is enough, but others have another step on their educational journey – graduate school.

Whether you are contemplating attending graduate school or just unsure about the process, read on to get a head start on your plans.

Getting started

Melissa Suek, graduate student in business administration, decided to continue her education to become a better candidate for jobs when she leaves Iowa. Along with working toward her master’s in business administration, she is pursuing a master’s in science and information systems.

Suek advised those students interested in graduate school to look for programs where they feel comfortable and the faculty wants students to succeed.

Patricia Parker, assistant director of admissions, recommended students begin looking at schools during their junior year and that they talk to professors about their research interests and programs they may need advice about later.

“The more you know about the professor and research, the more you can fit into programs,” Parker said.

Parker recommended students contact the specific department they’re interested in and pay a visit to the campus. Suek said to look into how the classes are structured and whether or not the school has a career services center.

“Look at how much diversity there is in the program,” Suek said.

Carolyn Payne, program manager of the graduate college, said students should talk to their advisors to make sure they are eligible for grad school. Also be sure your writing and speaking skills are strengths, not weaknesses.

“Make sure [to] take courses that are going to be really good courses for the graduate program,” Payne said.

Students who are considering leadership positions in their profession may want to consider graduate school.

“If you’re interested in a more independent position at a higher level, graduate school might come in handy,” Payne said.

Payne said graduate schools offer professional course degrees, which are more course-oriented. There are also research degrees which involve more independent work and culminate in a thesis.

Applying with a backup plan

Once you have decided what programs you want to apply for, the next step is the application.

Read the application instructions carefully. Parker said she receives many e-mails with questions students could have answered themselves if they had read the instructions.

Parker said deadlines can vary from department to department, though most deadlines tend to be in January, with decisions made in February.

Graduate school is more competitive than undergrad programs. For example, Iowa State accepted 1,709 out of 4,221 applicants into the graduate program in 2005.

“The chances of being denied at the graduate level are large,” Parker said.

Therefore, Parker recommends having a backup plan of two or three schools.

Parker said the best time to apply is before Christmas, since the college gets 70 percent of applications around this time.

“People should apply earlier if they want to be apart from the crowd,” Payne said.

The department will then review the applications and files. Applicants should receive the department’s decision after March. The national deadline to accept a grad school offer is April 15.

Parker said Iowa State only accepts official transcripts sent directly from schools. However, every school has different rules for sending transcripts.

Required testing

Parker said the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the equivalent of the SAT for prospective graduate students. Each department sets its own requirements concerning the GRE. Preparation for the GRE is important, but it is not the deciding factor in your acceptance.

Payne said taking the GRE during one’s junior year can be practice, and it can then be retaken during the fall of your senior year.

Suek was required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for entrance into the business program. The GMAT is similar to the GRE, but is a little harder for most students.

“Don’t underestimate studying for the GMAT or the GRE,” Suek said.

Payne recommended taking advantage of free resources for prepping for the GRE, which can be found at the Student Services Center.

Stating your goals

For the goal-stating portion of the application, “it’s much more effective if you’ve done your research,” Parker said. Relate your goals to research interests, projects and other interests you want to achieve through the program.

Tips for

Graduate School:

1. Research schools early

– Look at which ones appeal to you and your learning style

2. Read the application instructions carefully

– Especially look at transcript and GRE requirements

3. Look into financial aid

4. Prep for the GRE

5. Get letters of recommendation

– Let the person know well in advance and whether it can be done online