Career Services

Is graduate school in your future? Now is the time to start thinking about it, and the Office of Career Services can help.

Most schools agree that you should start looking into graduate school programs about a year and a half before you plan on attending. If this is your senior year, you should begin filling out applications and requesting letters of recommendation, as most schools have December 15 or January 15 deadlines.

As you begin to look into graduate school programs, be sure to consider all facets of the education offered at each institution. Learn about particular departments, the faculty at the school, the requirements for the program, the facilities and size of the school, and the students. Once you have investigated all of these aspects, narrow down the list to between three and ten graduate schools to which you will apply.

The application process for most graduate school programs begins with taking the appropriate standardized graduate admissions test(s). The Graduate Record Exam (GRE), a general overview of subjects, is used most often. Some programs may require an exam on a particular subject. Test scores should be sent to your schools of interest along with letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and the school’s application form.

The Graduate School Fair, sponsored by the Office of Career Services on October 24, 2007 on Cougar Walk, will provide you the opportunity to meet representatives and gather information about graduate schools and seminaries from all over the country. In preparation for this event, the Getting into Graduate School workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the LAPC Board Room. Following the Graduate School Fair, a second workshop, entitled Writing the Graduate School Essay will be offered for those completing the application process. It will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Faculty Dining Room.

Call to make an appointment with a career services counselor if you are not sure if graduate school is for you, or if you are confused about the application process. We look forward to serving your needs as you make this important decision!

The Office of Career Services is located in Magnolia Court on East Campus next to the Student Health Center. For more information, please stop by, or make an appointment at (626) 815-2103 or career@apu.edu.