Graduate school is for training in research. It is the training ground for the top notch professionals and researchers in a field of study. In fact, all Ph.D. degrees, regardless of discipline are research degrees. It is for people who love research, scholarship, and teaching for their own sake and for the difference they can make in society. It is not for people who simply want more undergraduate courses. It is not for people who are in a hurry to get a real job. And, it is not for people who simply want to make a lot of money. Indeed, the eventual goal of many doctoral students is to get a job as a college professor, or perhaps as a researcher in the private sector or government agency.

Whatever your reason may be, it takes a great deal of commitment and self discipline to pursue a graduate degree. Choosing the right graduate program will allow you to experience a lot of interesting, rewarding, and very busy years in grad school. There is also no question that you will meet some of the most interesting and intellectual people ever!

Most universities provide detailed information regarding their graduate programs on the Internet. Browsing though university web sites will allow you to narrow down the number of graduate programs that you are considering. Before you begin the application process, we strongly encourage you to look at the graduate program requirements to determine if the application process will be worthwhile. You can also learn more about the various graduate programs offered by UCF at http://www.graduate.ucf.edu/.

What is the GRE?

The GRE, like the SAT, is an aptitude exam designed to measure basic skills and knowledge in English and Mathematics. Both exams are developed and administered by the same company, Educational Testing Service (ETS). Among all the factors graduate schools consider for admission, your GRE score and your GPA are perhaps the most important. Just as you need to take the SAT to get into college, you need to take the GRE to go to graduate school.

The math and verbal portions of the two tests are virtually identical, and there is also a writing section. The general test measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. For more information about the GRE, go to www.gre.org. If you have questions about preparing for the GRE exam, please contact Brandy Blue in the Office of Student Services in BHC 110 or at brandy.blue@ucf.edu.

Financial Aid

You will discover that there are many types of aid, ranging from grants and fellowships to teaching assistantships and loans. Given all the aid possibilities that are available, you are bound to find a package that is right for you.

Letters of Recomendation

This is a critical part of the application process and should be taken very seriously. Unfortunately, many students simply walk into a faculty member’s office to ask for a recommendation, hand this individual an improperly completed or uncompleted form, provide no other information, and then expect a favorable outcome.

The result of this approach can be disastrous because the letter that is sent may lack detail, be lukewarm in praise, and generally imply that the faculty member is not interested in the student or does not really believe in the student’s abilities. As a worst case scenario, the faculty member may not even send the letter because the student has failed to properly complete the necessary paperwork.

Learn more on how to recieve the best recomendations

So, you've been accepted...

Now what?

Graduate school is a lot of hard work and can vary from two to seven years to complete, depending on the program. The first year is usually the hardest. You will find that classes are a lot more rigorous than undergraduate classes and as a rule you will be spending a lot more time in the library than you ever did before! There is an enormous amount of reading and classes can seem overwhelming. Additionally, most exams are short answer and essay and not multiple choice or True/False. However, on the brighter side of things, faculty will spend more time with you and give you greater attention. You now have a chance to get to know the faculty members better. Classes are relatively small in size, and your classmates also become your study partners.

Learn More About Graduate School

Timeline

The most successful candidates begin their preparations in their freshmen or sophomore years. In other words, graduate school preparation is an extended process in which you must demonstrate your long-term commitment to becoming a scholar, a researcher, and a contributory member of society. If you wait until your senior year thinking that you only need a high GPA and a completed application to graduate school, you will not meet with much success.

View Graduate School Timeline

Career & Graduate School Resources	http://guides.ucf.edu/career-grad-resources/burnett
Graduate School Guides	http://www.schoolguides.com/
ScholarStuff's All About Grad Schools	http://www.allaboutgradschool.com/
PhDs.me - Making Your PhD and Doctorate Personal	http://www.phds.me/
Peterson's Guides to Graduate School	http://www.petersons.com/college-search/how-to-pay-for-college.aspx
Erudera: AI-backed search platform for higher education institutions.	https://erudera.com

Study in the USA: A Resource for International Students	http://www.studyusa.com/
The Gentle Guide for Applying to Graduate School	https://www.chronicle.com/article/The-Gentle-Guide-for-Applying/239768

Essay Editing Resource	http://admissionsessays.com/
Ivy Essays: Essay Editing Resources	http://www.ivyessays.com/
Writing an Effective Personal Statement	http://www.socialworker.com/admissio.htm

Hanover's 8 Steps to a Good Letter of Recommendation	http://psych.hanover.edu/handbook/rec_letters2.html
How to Receive an Unenthusiastic Letter of Recommendation	http://psych.hanover.edu/handbook/peeves2.html
How to Request a Good Letter of Recommendation	https://gradschool.cornell.edu/diversity-inclusion/recruitment/prospective-students/requesting-letters-of-recommendation/
Recommendation Wars	http://www.salon.com/1998/09/24/24feature_8/

Financial Aid Info Links	http://www.finaid.org/
Peterson's Guide to Government Financial Aid	https://www.petersons.com/blog/government-financial-aid-for-graduate-students/

How to Succeed in Graduate School	http://info.acm.org/crossroads/xrds1-2/advice1.html
H-Grad	http://www.h-net.msu.edu/~grad/
Association for Support of Graduate Students	http://www.asgs.org/
PHinisheD: To help folks finish their dissertations	http://www.phinished.org/

Guide to Grad School

Purpose of this guide

Why Grad School?