How to Succeed During Your Senior Year
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- If you will be applying to Graduate School:
- Start studying another foreign language if you need it for your post-graduate program.
- August/September: If you are not satisfied with your GRE, LSAT, or GMAT scores, take the test again.
- September/October: Complete your graduate school applications.
- If you can, apply to a total of seven schools. Apply to the top two schools in your field of interest. Apply to three other schools where you have a good chance of being admitted because you meet their minimum requirements in terms of GPA, GRE scores and languages. And apply to two more schools where you exceed their minimum requirements in terms of GPA, GRE scores, and languages.
- When filling out graduate application forms fill them out completely and accurately. It reflects badly on you if forms are not filled out correctly. This is the first test of any graduate applicant: can he/she follow simple written directions?
- Be prepared for rejection. Selective graduate schools reject between 75 and 90% of all applicants.
- Save up some money for applying to graduate schools. Currently schools charge an application fee between $35 and $75; in the future it will certainly continue to go up.
- Bring your graduate school essay to your advisor or the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education for assistance.
- October/November: Ask Professor for letters of recommendation.
- Once you have heard back from graduate schools, let your letter writers/references know what the outcome was. If you were unsuccessful, they can help you figure out what to do next.
- If you will be seeking a job:
- Decide where you want to live after graduation. Begin consulting the local newspaper there (many are now available online) to see what types of jobs are available.
- Look at the websites for the types of businesses you would like to work for in specific locations. Many companies have web pages listing jobs available at their organizations.
- The Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education has a job bank you may consult.
- See the links to job pages on this website
- Find out when the annual conference of the professional organization in your prospective field is; attend this meeting and try to network! To locate these organizations and see their websites, click here.
- Ask three professors to serve as references for you. Go to see them in person so that you can explain what your career goals are.
- Contact the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education for help with creating a resume and developing interview skills.
- Once you have heard back from employers, let your letter writers / references know what the outcome was. If you were unsuccessful, they can help you figure out what to do next.
