Graduate school provides students with the opportunity to further their education in a specific topic of their interest and become professionals in their desired field of study
Graduate programs offer two different types of degrees that take different amounts of times to complete based on the field of study:
Master’s Degree = 1-2 years to complete
Doctoral Degree (PhD) = 3-7 years to compete
In graduate school, students both take classes and work in a research lab for the first few years before transferring full-time into lab for the end of their degree
Most graduate students are required to complete research or teach a course as part of their experience while working toward earning their degree
What makes a good graduate school student?
Strong graduate students are motivated and persistent in their desire to learn. They have passion for their field of interest with a good work ethic that drives them to explore the unknown
What might a post-graduate school career look like?
Earning either a Master’s degree or a PhD opens the door to careers in research, academia, and the private sector
Attending graduate schools in the sciences provides a level of experience and understanding in a topic that leads to an expertise in the area of interest that benefits job searches
The average salary of graduate students after obtaining their degree varies drastically based on the field of study and type of degree. Yearly salary estimates can be researched here
What are the costs associated with graduate school?
The cost of graduate school depends on the school, degree being sought, and the field of study
Average cost of a Master’s Degree is between $30,000 and $120,000, but this varies based on the type of Master’s Degree
Ex - The average cost of an MBA is $40,000
The cost of obtaining a PhD is dependent on the field of study, and many graduate programs in the sciences provide funding that pays the graduate student to conduct research as they pursue their degree
There are many programs and grants that exist that provide funding for graduate students in science fields, many of which can be found in this database
Graduate schools themselves might also award grants or funding to graduate students when they apply to their program
How competitive are graduate school programs?
While the top graduate programs are highly competitive, there are many graduate schools across the country. This contributes to the generally consideration of graduate schools less difficult to get into than medical school.
Matriculating student statistics
GPA - average GPA of students accepted to graduate schools vary depending on program, but GPAs 3.5 and above are generally considered competitive
The GPA of classes related to the field of study of students is also considered by graduate school admissions
GRE - average GRE scores also are highly variable between programs, but a good GRE score could be considered between a 310-315 combined between the math and verbal sections
It is important to note that graduate schools look at applications holistically, and applicants can gain acceptance with lower scores based on other factors!
What can I do to ensure that I’ll be a competitive graduate school applicant?
Graduate schools look for students who show a passion for the field of study they intend to pursue. This means relevant majors and other related electives show dedication to a subject and can be beneficial in the application process
Study for and score competitively (aim for a 310-315)
Not all schools require the GRE, but many still do
The GRE costs $205
A UMD information sheet regarding the GRE can be found here
To show greater mastery of a topic, applicants can complete GRE subject tests ($150)
GRE scores are valid for five years after taking the test
Graduate schools encourage applicants to have research experience before applying, to ensure that their students are familiar with and passionate about conducting research. This means to be a competitive applicant, you should seek out a meaningful research position or internship
While it is beneficial to have published research, it is not required and unpublished research experience, such as defending a thesis is useful
At UMD, the CMNS website has multiple research and internship opportunity databases that can be explored here and here
It is also beneficial for research experience to be in your field of interest, although it is not required
Craft and revise a personal statement that reiterates your desire to conduct research in your field of interest
Berkeley provides a great walkthrough, FAQs, and tipsheet that gives advice about writing personal statements for graduate school
The standard number of letters of recommendation for graduates schools is three, but applicants are welcome to submit more
One letter should be from a science professor, and another letter should be from a researcher with whom you have worked
Advice about whom to ask letters of recommendations is provided by the Berkeley career center
How do I apply?
General Timeline
Begin researching graduate programs in the spring
The Princeton Review has a free search engine of graduate programs can be found here
Study for and take the GRE in the summer
Write your personal statement and request letters of recommendation in late summer/early fall
Submit applications by the each schools deadline in the late fall
Complete interview in the winter and early spring
Graduate schools pay for travel and lodging for interviews
Acceptances are released in the spring
Resources
A searchable directory of graduate schools and programs can be found here to explore different potential topics and schools
The Princeton Review provides a search engine with program-specific statistics that can be accessed by making a free account
The Princeton Review also provides a generalized timeline for applying to graduate school
Brown University has published an undergraduate guide for applying to graduate schools in biology with FAQs and student examples
A list of UMD graduate school programs can be found here
The CMNS internship database for research experience can be found online here