Applying and Preparing
Attending graduate school can be an excellent catalyst for personal and professional growth, allowing you to delve deep into academic disciplines, meet other emerging professionals and work with faculty who are often leaders in their field.
Applying to a graduate or professional school (medical, dental, pharmacy, law, business school, etc.) is a complex process. Knowing what is expected of you as an applicant, following directions and due-dates and establishing back-up plans can help you move closer to achieving your academic and professional goals.
Consider the following services, resources and information to help you in your process
- Make an appointment with a Career Counselor to have one-on-one consulting about the Graduate School Preparation
- Attend Pre-Law Advising or Selecting and Applying to Grad School workshops. Check the Events Calendar for the next workshop.
- Attend Grad School Events
Which admissions test you take will depend on the education you are seeking. Ultimately your test score will help determine your admission to graduate school.
Check the programs to which you're applying to find out what admission test is required. You may obtain a more complete listing of admission tests, test registration booklets and test prep materials in the Career Center.
GMAT Graduate Management Admissions Test
LSAT Law School Admissions Test
MCAT Medical College Admissions Test
DAT Dental Admissions Test
VCAT Veterinary College Admissions Test
OAT Optometry Admissions Test
PCAT Pharmacy College Admissions Test
CBEST California Basic Education Skills Test
CSET California Subject Examination for Teachers
Praxis II and MSAT Single and Multiple Subject Exams
Secondary School Admissions Test (Private Schools)
RICA Reading Instruction Competence Assessment
California Commission on Teaching Credentialing
** The Career Center provides this list as information only. We do not take responsibility for the service provided.
We encourage all users to review their specific needs, review the service(s) provided,
and consider the costs involved.
Blue Print Test Preparation 1-800-4-BP-PREP (27-7737)
Kaplan 1-800-KAP-TEST(527-8378)
Princeton Review 1-800-2-REVIEW (73-8439)
Test Masters 1-800-696-5728
The Statement of Purpose is very important and is given careful consideration in the admission process. Be concise and specific in preparing your statement: give information that will aid the selection committee in evaluating your potential for completing a graduate program.
Check the General Statement of Purpose Guidelines or the Department/Program Specific Statement of Purpose Guidelines websites for specific directions on completing the Statement of Purpose.
Additionally, The following UCI departments assist students in the development and review of their Statement of Purpose.
Writing Tutors: Langson Library 229
- Science Library Reference Alcove Mesa Court Community Center Computer Lab Middle Earth Academic Resource Center
Writing Assistants: LARC (Learning Academic Resource Center), 423 Social Science Tower,
824-6451
UC Irvine's Career Center is pleased to announce our new partnership with Interfolio http://www.interfolio.com to better meet your letter of recommendation and placement file needs.
Interfolio, the premier online credentials management service, is now available to UC Irvine students and alumni. Interfolio is the easiest and most affordable way for a student to send application materials to graduate and professional schools.
If you have previously registered with the Career Center's LOR service click here.
Law School Applicants; please go directly to www.lsac.org and register for the LSAT and LSDAS and follow the directions to request your Letters of Recommendation and on line management of these documents.
A decision to pursue advanced studies is often impacted by the availability of funding. Many doctoral programs offer a number of years of funding for their students through teaching or research assistantships, or dissertation funding. However, not all programs offer funding, and some offer funding to only some students. Masters programs typically offer limited funding, but there are exceptions. In addition, some funding requires work or repayment, and some does not.
It is essential to carefully research funding options when considering advanced study. Begin your search approximately one year before you need funding. Deadlines vary widely. If you are considering federal student loans, the institution and the federal government may have different deadlines.
You'll want to compare various funding packages, taking into account the actual stipend, tuition and fees covered, insurance options, cost of living expenses, and the expectations and commitments associated with the offer. The "value" of a funding package plays a key role in graduate school decision making.
Grants generally do not require work or repayment of the funds. However, there could be future obligations such as academic requirements or a commitment of employment after graduation. The common types of grants include:
Fellowships provide a stipend for living and educational expenses which, in general, allow students to pursue graduate study full-time
Scholarships provide funds to graduate students and are usually awarded based on academic merit or scholarly potential
Training Grants are very similar to fellowships and provide students with the opportunity o develop research skills and techniques in a laboratory setting
Travel Grants reimburse graduate students for travel to conferences to network and present their research
Assistantships
Assistantships are the most common method of funding graduate study and include teaching, research and other types of administrative or professional assistantships (such as the library, residence halls, or student services). Teaching and research assistant positions are most often available through the department in which you study.
Student loan information and information on federal student aid for graduate and professional school are available from U.S. Department of Education.
University of Washington's Funding Sources on the Internet A lengthy list of sites including general funding sites, on-line search services, special opportunities for women and minorities and links to numerous organizations offering grants and fellowship.
North Carolina State University has a list for nationally competitive fellowship programs and other funding opportunities in the sciences.
GradSchool.com has a great list of graduate fellowships, including government agencies and independent organizations and institutions is available online.
Resources
Grad School for Health Professions
