How can you help students prepare for graduate school?

I think it's important for students to explore the range of options first before considering graduate school. Exploration is important in helping students decide if graduate school is something they really want to pursue. If they are clear minded about it, then exploration should move on to different interests and possibilities. That said, academic interests do not necessarily need to be fulfilled through the graduate school route, so it is important for students to explore so as to make an informed decision.

If we could rephrase the word exploration to curiosity or life-long learning, that would be more ambitious. I feel exploration is considered as a short-term endeavor. When doing program research to shortlist or nail down the best possible choices for application or funding/scholarships, the longer route should always be adopted - which is networking during the application, on the program and afterward. Being curious is a great skill to master - one unlocks more opportunities that way.

Had this conversation with a student who struggled on an exam. Told him to step back and breathe. We worked through what grade he was trying to obtain in the class and what he would need to average on his remaining exams to do so. We discussed strategies to take advantage of his subject tutoring and to build a rapport with the professor so that he doesn’t feel nervous approaching them to ask for help as the semester continues. It is important to let students know there will be bumps during their academic journey, but they must not let that to detour them.

Yes, one has to explore various fields of study / research and choose the one which are most interested in. The knowledge and technical skills can be enhanced by joining professional bodies or societies like IEEE. Only joining the society may not help enhancing the knowledge but need active participation in various events. This could also help in improved networking globally.

In my experience as a Head of School, I have found that exposure of students to various options available in the field of study has always brought more clarity during college admission. I conducted career fairs which gave students a first-hand experience about universities. My students also had an opportunity to visit incubation centers of innovation to understand the latest developments in technology. At the last, Reflection is a tool that will make students aware of their strengths and passion.

Of the 25 Graduate School applications I submitted in 2011, I lost 23 but won the last 2. This bitter-sweet experience made me realise the importance of proper mentorship for not only graduate school decisions but also career clarity. Today, I have become the mentor I never had. To make your personal statements scholarship-worthy, I propose a framework I designed, called PEWO-CSF. Where P = Problem Statement (narrate the challenges your course intends to solve); E = Education (Your academic background); W = Work experience (highlight only relevent roles); O = Others (such as professional training, volunteering and leadership experience); C = course (why the course?); S = school (why the school?); F = Future plans (your career goals).

When it comes to selecting a program or a course, it's important to start by introspecting your interests and exploring different fields to find out what's happening around you. Don't just blindly follow your peers or friends, as every individual is different from others. Networking can be a great way to learn more about different programs and universities. Once you've identified your target universities, consider visiting their campuses to get a better understanding of what's expected of you. From there, you can start preparing your application. Don't hesitate to seek help whenever you need it, and always have a backup plan just in case. Finally, remember to manage your stress levels and be confident in yourself and your abilities.

One strategy I have found helpful is encouraging teachers to engage with students' professional societies as faculty advisors or mentors. Sharing available graduate opportunities with them can be highly beneficial. Additionally, teachers can provide valuable insights about the application process and share lessons learned from their own experiences over the years within the society's small group. These societies can also play a significant role in disseminating these opportunities to a larger group of students.

Give your students Confidence. Let me rephrase it, in your Undergraduate classes teach your students in ways that show you See and Hear them as Individuals and collectively. In that way you create a platform that nurtures their Self-Confidence. Without self confidence, you enter any competition weak. That for me is the foundation that prepares my students for Graduate school!

For most students at the master’s level, the biggest problem is money. You can contribute to their livelihoods by writing projects with them or including them in your existing projects. Apart from this, you will have a small help to their budget by providing assistance in the works that bring you income, and support for them.

Encouraging undergraduate research. This can make a huge impact. If a student experiences giving a poster presentation at local, regional or national meeting, that would spark a charge and have a transformative life long impact on the student. Support for faculty from admin is needed to achieve such positive outcome.

Prior to receiving a supervisor, it is beneficial to find sound advice from current graduate students and/or recent graduates. They can help debunk many unrealistic expectations that you are holding on to. They can potentially support you in choosing a research topic and ultimately avoiding a repeat of their mistakes.

Actually I disagree with dealing with research disciplines and academic fields as isolated islands. The fifth industrial revolution supports new branches, new job opportunities and new academic fields based on crossing the borders between the research disciplines.....It is time to support multidisciplinary researches, new academic branches to take the fruits of each discipline to support the global challenges

Invite successful alumni to give testimony on how the knowledge can be applied in the real life situations. Give opportunity to students to explore knowledge deeper and communicate their findings in any platforms

La question des finances des études est une variable déterminante dans les études vers lesquelles on s'oriente. Quelque fois malheureusement c'est un réel handicap chez certains étudiants qui vont jusqu'à revoir à la baisse leurs ambitions et ne vont pas plus loin que ne leur permettent leurs finances. Le r?le des mentors ici devient crucial car ils vous accompagneront dans cette phase en vous poussant à oser, à continuer de nourrir vos rêves, à frapper à des portes à la recherche de financement, à développer un réseau qui puissent vous propulser quand vous ne pouvez pas vous offrir financièrement les études que vous voulez.

It helps to have this area of your education sorted as it can cause anxiety and pressure on top of the demands of grad school. While there are working professionals in grad school, setting resources aside [that is money and time] to focus on successfully competing your course is fundamentally crucial.

Graduate school is not easy in most cases because it requires committment and time the working class have to attend to asignments at work The home part comes in family and alot more but funding for a post graduate school requires you to save or apply for scholarships which are ttached with funds to help you attain your dreams Many people start well and give up on the way cause they cant finance it on thier own but they have a dream to fulfill

At the graduate level there should be some basic to advanced acumen on accounting. As a business owner, I would suggest encouraging the graduate student to create a vision budget. In that vision budget much like a business plan, forecast where the money can come from? Encourage them to break it into smaller pieces. If the total is $86K a year then how many people should I potentially approach who would give $500 to help me - if that is your top number it should represent 15-25% of the goal. then work your way down. This will allow it become more attainable without using lenders.

Assisting students with funding for grad school is crucial. Advise them on scholarships, grants, assistantships, and loans. Resource links like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Peterson's can help them explore financial aid options. Encourage early applications and guide them on preparing compelling scholarship essays to improve their chances of securing financial support.

One thing that I keep seeing is lack of support for international graduate student. Many of them come to the universities with families and little to no knowledge about the system. Before the academics overwhelm their schedule, I wish there was a peer-to-peer support from domestic students who can mentor international students with real-life stuff, and in return domestic students could benefit from cultural exposure and together they can create an environment of respect.

For students who get the privilege to study in highly international spaces, it is important that they understand cross-cultural communication. This will help them navigate research and the context-specific, dynamic perspectives in academia.

Value of Inclusivity Inclusivity is another vital aspect of your academic journey. The graduate school community comprises diverse individuals with unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Embrace the diversity around you, and engage in meaningful conversations with your classmates and professors.? Collaboration across diverse perspectives will not only enrich your learning experience but also foster innovative thinking and problem-solving.

Diversity has been expanded in recent years to include so much. The graduate student will have their plate full and to include this level of diversity may be somewhat unrealistic. I would encourage if international travel is possible to experience culture and the like then do so BEFORE applying. I am not a fan of hearing from different faculty based on culture. I believe teaching should maintain to the facts of which culture has no bearing. But I am sure there are different thoughts on that. - Hence diversity.. :-)

Promoting diversity in grad school preparation is essential. Encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to highlight their unique experiences. Programs like the McNair Scholars Program and the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) support diversity in STEM. Advocate for inclusive admissions and emphasise the value of diverse perspectives in academia. Utilise The National GEM Consortium for resources on promoting diversity in graduate education.

Plagiarism is punishable by law. While many people come from a copy-and-paste culture, grad school introduces critical thinking that may not have been well fostered in certain education systems. One must be willing to rise to the occasion if they are aspiring to produce quality research.

Personally speaking, I had some wonderful mentors who exhibited a level of professionalism that really piqued my interest in wanting to pursue an advanced degree. I have modelled that same behavior in my career with the hope that my example will inspire someone to forge their own academic journey. The point is that we are always teaching because someone is always watching.

I remember a mentor once telling me, "it's not about how you finish, it's about the way you showed up along the way." At first I didn't understand that. Then I began piecing together its power. My brand became a part of my experience, as well as the way people experienced me. So I would work with young adults to teach them the importance of their professional brand and how that brand is a reflection of their contributions to their profession. It is how the world will experience them.

Having role models is incredibly beneficial, especially when they share their experiences from the academic world. These insights can be profoundly valuable.

Graduate school is a good time to do more than one thing. You’ll receive a quality education, but what else are you doing with that time? Are you volunteering? Are you spending quality time with family? Are you building your network? Are you using it as a chance to rest and recuperate after a successful but trying professional career thus far? Use this time wisely and focus on more than just academics. It’s a time full of unique experiences filled with people with varying perspectives and experiences. Ultimately, it is a chance for you to grow in many different ways.

The most important thing is the reason for pursuing graduate study. It is a huge investment of time and money, so it should be done for justifiable reasons. One should know why they want to pursue graduate studies, what their end goal is, what the alternatives are, and what the benefits are. Having clarity about the purpose and benefits of graduate study will make decision-making much easier. I believe that realization is the key to helping students make the best decision for themselves.

Here are some things to consider 1. Making sure that the concept of graduate school isn’t romanticized. Students need to know what to expect in terms of course load, research, stipends, professionalism, juggling multiple responsibilities and wearing many hats. 2. Is graduate school required for the next step in your career?Students should talk to graduate students in different programs and professionals in the field they want to go into. Weigh pros and cons of pursuing the graduate degree vs. Going into the workforce and then make an educated decision. 3. Pick a supportive mentor for programs where you need to choose a mentor. Identify professors that invest time in your career and professional development in addition to your research.

1. Ask questions to your prospective supervisor (how their lab functions) 2. Tell them what you're looking for in short and long-term goals 3. Do a thorough research on what topics you're interested in doing 4. Choosing a supervisor is more important. Make sure you can align with their research interest.

To stand out in graduate school applications, students should develop a research identity by: - Exploring research interests and passions - Identifying potential research mentors and collaborators - Building a portfolio of research experiences - Developing a research question or topic - Creating a plan to contribute to and advance the field This helps students articulate their research goals, demonstrate their potential, and make meaningful contributions to their field. By encouraging students to develop a research identity, we can help them achieve their full potential and succeed in graduate school.

The best advice I ever received was during an interview and tour of a graduate school. The tour guide asked why I wanted to get a PhD and I hadn’t really thought about it. It was the next step to doing research and a professor had said they thought I should do one. I graduated undergrad and worked for about 3.5 years in an academic lab. Then, I decided to go to grad school. I knew I enjoyed research and wanted to make my own contributions. I knew what it was like to work in a lab, the hours, the failures, etc. Ultimately, those 3.5 years are what prepared me to be successful in grad school. I’m not saying people shouldn’t go straight from undergrad, but figure out why you want to do it and know what you are getting into.