Choosing a Graduate School

Welcome to the BSC Grad Admissions BLOG. I am a big fan of Seth Godin whose theory of Permission Marketing has helped shape the use of the Internet and the author of the best selling book – TRIBES – Godin talks about BLOGSas being the north star or a place to meet or for ideas to circle around, a place to go where you can find information or talk about something. To that end it is my goal that this grad admissions BLOG will provide you with all of that. I will post helpful information from time-to-time on graduate school and admissions and look forward to helping you by either answering questions you may have or helping to clarify the graduate admissions process. But please think of this BLOG as a place for you to begin a conversation as well about topics you are interested in.

Making your decision to attend graduate school is a major commitment  of time, money and effort. Choosing the best graduate school to attend is an important personal choice with an impact on your professional career. What degree program are you interested in? What are some of the colleges and universities who offer the graduate degree program you are interested in? What are their strengths and weaknesses as they relate to the graduate degree program you are interested in? Will you be a full-time graduate student? Or will you attend graduate school part-time? How will you balance work, family life and your academic studies? How will you finance your graduate school education? Is traditional financial aid available? What alternative loans might be available? Does the college or university offer scholarships? Are their formal programs in place such as graduate assistantships or research assistantships? What are the research interests of the faculty of the college or university I am interested in? What is the reputation of the college or university I am interested in? What accreditation do they hold not only as a college or university but within their programs of study?

Many questions but certainly there are many ways to begin finding answers:

1. Visit GradSchool.Com and other Web based venues to learn about the college or university you are interested in.

2. Call the graduate admissions office and request an informational packet to learn more about the college or university.

3. Attend an informational session to learn more about the college or university, degree program and to meet faculty and an admission representative. At Bridgewater State College we offer prospective students numerous opportunities to meet with us:

A. General Information Sessions – held every fall, spring and summer in a large group setting designed to provide prospective students with the opportunity to meet with the School of Graduate Studies team and faculty in an effort to learn more about the college and programs of interest.

B. Lunch and Learn Sessions – held one Friday every month at 12:00 noon in the Maxwell Library. It is a small group setting designed to be quite informal and you can bring a brown bag lunch and relax as you both learn about BSC and graduate school but get that golden opportunity to engage one-on-one to get your specific questions answered. Just two Fridays ago I met with (5) people at our Lunch and Learn session and must everyone told me they really enjoyed the session and learned quite a lot about graduate school and admissions.

C. Pathway to Your Success Workshop – Held once a month on Tuesday evening our Pathway workshop is a small group informal setting where you can come and join other people interested in graduate school and not only learn more about graduate school but get your questions answered. Just this past Tuesday evening an admission and student representative joined me as we met (5) people interested in learning more about BSC and graduate school.

4. Meet one-on-one with an admission representative or call the assistant dean for a meeting.

5. Check in with current students or alums to get a sense of what the college experience as a graduate student will be like for you and to learn how alums have used the degree both personally and professionally.

I have tried in a small way to help address ways that you can learn more about graduate school in your effort to make the most important decision on what college or university you will attend. I look forward to your comments and thoughts.

Best regards,

Dr. Raymond Guillette

Email: rguillette@bridgew.edu

NETWORKING FOR A JOB

The fall meeting of The Executive Council was held Saturday, October 15, at Nichols College in Dudley, MA. Dawn Sherman the Interim Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies served as our host and welcomed us to the Nichols campus – www.nichols.edu

The theme for our networking session was Entrepreneurship and we were fortunate to have Laurence Smith, Executive Director of MassExcellence serve as our keynote speaker. www.massexcence.com

Larry was king enough to offer his remarks on Leadership, Quality, Organizational Excellence and Entrepreneurship. We had a panewl made uo of Bob White from the S.C.O.R.E. office in Worcester. www.score.org and Thomas Pomphrey of Dragon Fly Software. www.dragonflysoftware.com

SAVE THE DATE – The Spring meeting of The Executive Council will be Saturday, March 3, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at Assumption College in Worcester, MA

www.assumption.edu

Online universities grow enrollment – Mass High Tech Business News

Online universities grow enrollment – Mass High Tech Business News

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To Test Or Not To Test?

TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST?

GMAT – GRE?

THAT IS THE QUESTION?

The $ 64,000 question many grad school applicants quite often ask is:

Does your grad school program require the GMAT or GRE as an admission requirement?

If the answer is YES the next question usually is – WHY?

If the answer is NO more often than not your grad program draws the attention of the applicant.

Many of us in higher education have often wondered why college and universities place such a heavy reliance on the GRE or GMAT as a predictor of student success for their grad programs. The GRE or GMAT are standardized exams that test “skills” that individuals possess. They are randomized tests much like the SAT that perhaps have outlived their usefulness. A single standardized test should not outweigh a 360 degree review of an applicants achievements whether they be personal, professional or academic. An applicant should be judged on the merits of several factors. Even the designers of the GRE, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) suggest that the test not be the sole determinant for the admission of an applicant to grad school. Plus the reliability of scores on tests like the GRE have been studied for years. See “The Reliability of GRE Scores in Predicting Student Success in Graduate School Success”.

A few colleges and universities have eliminated the GRE and GMAT as admission requirements (University of Phoenix, Kaplan University, Capella University and Walden University.) They have been forward thinking when it comes to standardized tests and view the undergraduate GPA, work experience, a good resume, letters of recommendation along with a professional letter or statement of intent as the true indicators of student success in graduate school. The last time we checked the University of Phoenix had over 75,000 students.

So for these authors?

We lean towards a 360* review on an applicant. Less emphasis on the GRE or GMAT is required and perhaps even the elimination of these exams.

But if the graduate school you are interested requires the GMAT or GRE as an admission requirement there is help. Please check out the following web sites:

http://gmat.teachstreet.com

http://gre.teachstreet.com

www.kaptest.com

www.testprepreview.com

Colleges focus on veterans as GI Bill raises enrollment – The Boston Globe

Colleges focus on veterans as GI Bill raises enrollment – The Boston Globe

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The new 9/11 GI Bill offers benefits for all service members that have served since September 11, 2001.

The benefits are geared towards helping veterans with tuition payments equal to the highest public college or university in their state. This amount of funding can be applied to a public or private school and is determined by the amount of active duty time a service member performed.

A path to a college education is one of the benefits service in the military provides its members and is an opportunity to career and personal growth.

Online instead of on campus – The Boston Globe

Online instead of on campus – The Boston Globe

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Financial pressure forces reinvention at small colleges – The Boston Globe

Financial pressure forces reinvention at small colleges – The Boston Globe

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Second Careers

In the changing economic environment and the shift from a single, life-long career pursuit, many Americans today are looking for another career than the one they set our on after college, a second act. Many are turning to teaching after pursuing careers in other areas. According to a recent article in the Boston Globe, “Teaching has Appeal for Workers Ready for Change“, teaching positions in  elementary and secondary education will increase at the average rate of all occupations and salaries will increase year over year. Teaching in most states requires licensure by a state agency that requires education beyond a bachelors degree in an approved program.

In Massachusetts there is an exam for a preliminary teaching license, the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure, but all elementary and secondary teachers are required to earn their Initial License, which requires certification from higher education institute.

Career changers and teaching students should review a college’s teaching certification program to make sure it is approved by their state licensing authority (for Massachusetts that is the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education) and that the institution is accredited by national teacher education accrediting agency such as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Proper accreditation and state approval will ensure that the career changer chooses the correct institution to provide them with the knowledge, education and approval they will need for transitioning to second career in elementary or secondary education.

Grad School for Military Families

Serving in the United States Military offers young men and women many opportunities to develop leadership and skills. Serving in the armed forces also has benefits,  and among the benefits are  improved educational benefits. According to the recent issue of  NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER & FAMILY FOUNDATIONS,  in an article titled “College VS. Trade School – What’s Right for You?”,  by Bill Hudgins, the resources available to military members is outlined rather well regarding opportunities for educational benefits. According to College.Gov, by 2014, 90 percent of the fastest-growing careers will require some higher education. According to Hudgins the Montgomery GI Bill and Post 9/11 GI Bill both include benefits that can help.

To learn more about the Post-9/11 GI Bill, call (888)-442-4551, or visit GIBILL.va.gov for up to date information on this and other education benefits.

10 TOP REASONS TO GO TO GRAD SCHOOL

Recently in GRAD SOURCE magazine www.GradSource.com there appeared an article about the top 10 reasons to go to grad school. I thought I would take this opportunity to list the Top 10 Reasons as noted by GRAD SOURCE magazine which appears to be a knock-off to David Lettermans TOP 10 list.

1. Advance your career – Most professionals now need a least a master’s degree to get by in their profession and workplace.

2. Do your personal best – Grad School is a great place to test your mettle.

3. Joy of learning – Grad School can give more of what you love to do, and gives you the opportunity to become an expert in your field.

4. Be paid to learn – As a grad student, you can get paid as a graduate assistant or teaching assistant or research assistant.

5. Rite of passage – After four years as a lowly undergrad, you finally earn some respect. You are part of the hood, literally.

6. Place of refuge – Grad school is a good place to park yourself during tough economic times.

7. Expand your mind – There;s no better place than grad school for a complete mental workout.

8. Earn prestige – A graduate degree will open doors to not only a myriad of professions, but also to the inner circle.

9. Build your network – Grad School will give you the opportunity to meet many new people with diverse knowledge and experiences. Not only do you get to rub shoulders with the best and brightest but you also get to establish valuable contacts that will serve you well in your future career.

10. Expand your horizon – Grad School gives you the opportunity to live and work with people all over the world.

What do you think of this Top 10 list from GRAD SOURCE magazine?

I look forward to a conversation with you. Are you thinking of graduate school?

Best regards,

Dr