Mary
Armadillo Pup
Posts: 8
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Post by Mary on Jul 16, 2011 15:22:40 GMT -5
I hope to go to graduate school after college, and I am wondering if anyone here can help answer these questions. (These questions are directed at English programs, of course, but any general information is appreciated as well.)
- How can I select suitable grad school options?
- Under what conditions is one admitted to grad school?
- Finally, how can I determine the "best" grad school programs? Is there a sort of national ranking?
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Post by embonpoint on Jul 16, 2011 15:41:33 GMT -5
1- Find what you want to study; look for programs with that title? I don't really know what you mean by that question.
2- Usually obtaining a First or 2:1 BA/BSc in a relevant subject, but obviously, conditions depend on the specific program. Also, you'll need to be able to pay for it and if you don't live in uni accommodation, you'll have to sort that out.
3- It's very like choosing university, I think. So obviously, there are all the usual places (e.g Times Guide), and you can go by reputation of university. Looking at professors/lecturers and their research interests would help; it'd be good to go to a university where there are professors who are interested in the same area(s). Then, there's what's best for you, in terms of course content, location, cost etc.
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Mary
Armadillo Pup
Posts: 8
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Post by Mary on Jul 16, 2011 15:50:59 GMT -5
Thank you for the help. Yeah, my first question isn't very clear. Basically, my question deals with finding a grad school program that is "on my level". If I am at a basic state college, is it likely that I am destined to remain at universities comparable in ranking to my undergrad school?
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Post by onlyaworkingtitle on Jul 16, 2011 17:31:27 GMT -5
If you're looking for a writing MFA, you might want to look into low-residency programs, too. It's an ingenious system that allows you to spend ten days per semester on the campus, and the rest of your time at home, working on your writing through online correspondence with a faculty member (while still being able to keep doing whatever you do -- job, family, etc). Low-residency programs are actually becoming quite common now, and are just as valid as any other sort.
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Mary
Armadillo Pup
Posts: 8
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Post by Mary on Jul 16, 2011 17:40:58 GMT -5
The low-residency program sounds very interesting! Thanks for the suggestion.
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Post by embonpoint on Jul 16, 2011 18:37:49 GMT -5
You definitely don't have to 'stick to your level' as it were, or at least, not in England. My friend has just graduated from Staffordshire (fairly low, only ask for Cs/Ds from school, lower average grades), but she's doing her MA at Birmingham (Russel Group, like, top twenty in the country).
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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jul 16, 2011 21:48:30 GMT -5
In America, you need to take the GRE to be accepted to grad school (almost universally). Some schools require you to take the GRE exam in your field as well, but it varies from school to school.
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Post by onlyaworkingtitle on Jul 17, 2011 8:21:34 GMT -5
In America, you need to take the GRE to be accepted to grad school (almost universally). Some schools require you to take the GRE exam in your field as well, but it varies from school to school. ... and a lot of creative writing programs don't require it. As Dodger says, it varies. Look into as many schools as possible before deciding to put yourself through the pain of the GRE. |
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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jul 17, 2011 11:20:24 GMT -5
If you do take the GRE, I wouldn't wait until the last minute. I've had a handful of English professors advise their students to take a year off after undergrad so they can study for it and take preparation classes. That's what I'm doing. Taking a year off, I mean. You need to make sure grad school is REALLY what you want to do and that it will benefit you in the job market. Some professions don't like hiring people with MAs or higher because it obligates them to pay you more. For example: teachers. |
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Post by andreaisabbbw on Jul 18, 2011 1:35:56 GMT -5
Is the GRE like the SAT/ACT of being accepted into a grad program?
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Post by onlyaworkingtitle on Jul 18, 2011 6:57:57 GMT -5
Is the GRE like the SAT/ACT of being accepted into a grad program? Kind of... except, where the SAT is testing your learning "aptitude," the GRE tests what you've actually learned and is divided into academic subjects and you need to study your ass off and remember shit you haven't done since high school. Basically, it's the mother of all standardized tests. Fear it. |
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Post by tosney on Jul 18, 2011 10:47:09 GMT -5
You need to make sure grad school is REALLY what you want to do and that it will benefit you in the job market. Some professions don't like hiring people with MAs or higher because it obligates them to pay you more. For example: teachers. Really? Cause my school loves to brag about all the MAs and PhDs they've got. I guess you should do your research. |
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Mary
Armadillo Pup
Posts: 8
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Post by Mary on Jul 18, 2011 12:06:13 GMT -5
Oh dear. Quantitative sections of standardized tests kill me. Would a bad score in quantatative reasoning affect admittance to a liberal arts grad school program? (I'm assuming someone here knows more than me about this. haha)
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Post by andreaisabbbw on Jul 18, 2011 12:43:36 GMT -5
Is the GRE like the SAT/ACT of being accepted into a grad program? Kind of... except, where the SAT is testing your learning "aptitude," the GRE tests what you've actually learned and is divided into academic subjects and you need to study your ass off and remember shit you haven't done since high school. Basically, it's the mother of all standardized tests. Fear it. Well, damn. I thought with graduating high school we're also graduating from taking standardized tests. *grumbles* But I will take that challenge! |
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Post by andreaisabbbw on Jul 18, 2011 12:54:03 GMT -5
You need to make sure grad school is REALLY what you want to do and that it will benefit you in the job market. Some professions don't like hiring people with MAs or higher because it obligates them to pay you more. For example: teachers. Really? Cause my school loves to brag about all the MAs and PhDs they've got. I guess you should do your research. Research doesn't show that some professions are reluctant to hire people with a Master's or higher. It can happen depending on the profession you want to go into, like Dodger said. |
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