sample graduate school essay

University of San Diego

The University of San Diego, established in 1949, is the main university of San Diego, California. The school offers a variety of courses and programs for students to choose from. USD offers graduate degrees as well, making it a great choice for undergraduates and graduate students alike. The USD School of Law also offers post-graduate degrees. Here are the USD schools that offer Master’s degrees: Hahn School of Nursing and Health Services, the School of Business Administration, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Another advantage of studying at USD is the school’s proximity to California’s beaches.

Roger Williams University

Roger Williams University, which is in Bristol, Rhode Island, has a great location that is easily accessible from Boston, New York, and Providence. RWU has a number of courses and programs, including graduate studies programs in various fields. Here are some of the courses that RWU offers graduate degrees in: Teaching, Criminal Justice with a joint degree in Law, Forensic Psychology, Construction Management, Architecture, and Public Administration. In many of these graduate studies courses, students can choose between part-time or full-time loads, which gives students flexibility to fit work and other responsibilities into their schedules.

Seattle University

Seattle University, also known as Seattle U, is the flagship college of Seattle, Washington, a city known for being a regional center for art and culture. Seattle U has seven schools with a total of 31 graduate degree programs for students to choose from. Master’s degrees at Seattle U can be earned through both part-time and full-time programs, including night classes, day classes, and weekend classes. As a Jesuit institution, many of the programs offered at Seattle U are in the School of Theology and Ministry. The College of Education also offers a large number of graduate degree programs.

Adelphi University

Adelphi University has contributed to society in more ways than just education. During the Second World War, Adelphi University sent nurses to help soldiers who were injured in the war. Since then, the school has broadened its curriculum to offer a number of courses and programs, including graduate programs. Some of Adelphi University’s graduate programs include those in the arts and sciences,  nursing, and business and management. Adelphi University is located in Garden City, which is on Long Island in New York.

Adams State College of Colorado

The Adams State College of Colorado is a state-supported college that is located in scenic Colorado. The school is backdropped by the peaks of the Rockies. Aside from having a beautiful view, Adams State College also offers a diverse curriculum, including post-graduate studies programs. Adams State College of Colorado provides a number of flexible options for graduate students, including part-time, full-time, daytime, night-time, weekend, online, and summer programs. Some of the graduate studies offered in Adam State include programs in Human Performance and Physical Education, Graduate Teacher Education, Counselor Education, History, Art, and Government and Philosophy.

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU)

The Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University is a well-known educational institution for both agricultural and mechanical courses. Aside from these two courses, however, AAMU offers a number of other courses and programs. Here are some of the AAMU graduate degree courses social work, urban and regional planning, business administration and management, computer science, and agriculture. The school has come a long way since it was established in 1875, and it has become a great venue for those looking to take graduate studies.

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Graduate School

Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876, and holds the title as the first American university to be centered on research. JHU is best known for its excellence in the field of mechanical sciences, like engineering, but the institution also offers numerous other courses and programs. Aside from undergraduate courses, JHU also offers a number of doctorate courses and graduate programs. Some of the graduate programs offered by JHU include engineering, creative writing, fine arts, and public policy. Just remember to bring a jacket and some other warm clothing when going to this school, because Baltimore winters can get really cold.

Purdue University

Anyone who has done research on the elite universities in America has probably come across Purdue University. Purdue has a high quality of education that has evolved through a long and rich history, which began in 1869, when the university was founded. The university has a wide array of undergraduate studies for students to choose from. Those who want to enter into graduate school might be happy to know that Purdue University offers both graduate and doctorate degrees. Some of the graduate programs offered in Purdue University include life sciences, aviation, the arts, and business administration.

Ohio State University

Ohio State University specializes in agricultural studies, but the institution has developed and branched-out into many other fields of study. The school has gained fame across the nation as a top competitor in college sports and a premier institution for education. Some of the courses offered at Ohio State include biology, education, the arts, and allied health services. Aside from the numerous undergraduate courses offered at Ohio State University, there are also a number of  graduate and doctorate studies offered at Ohio State.

University of Minnesota Graduate School

The University of Minnesota is a well-known instititution that offers tertiary education courses and programs. As one of the largest and most populated universities in the US, the U of M has become a pioneer in the field of medical research. Those looking to extend their education by taking graduate studies may be glad to know that the U of M has numerous graduate programs for students to chose from, such as computational biology, toxicology, biosciences, and water resource science and biomedical informatics.

University of Maryland Graduate School

The University of Maryland began as the Maryland Agricultural College. The college has grown and developed into a large university system with 13 colleges and school, over 120 undergraduate degrees, and over 110 graduate degrees. At the University of Maryland graduate school, students can gain training, education, and experience in courses like engineering, education, languages, journalism, and foreign studies. With all of the different graduate school offerings in the University of Maryland, graduate students have better chances of finding a graduate program that fits in with their career path.

Alabama State University

Alabama State University has had a long and winding road to becoming one of the most reputable schools in America. The school was founded in 1867 by nine African Americans who used to be slaves. The school was meant to tend primarily to African Americans, since racial discrimination often prohibited or hindered black students from going to other universities. Today, Alabama State University has become a school with a diverse student body and an equally diverse curriculum. Aside from the numerous undergraduate courses offered at the school, some of the graduate studies in Alabama State University include engineering, business management, sciences, and the arts.

Duke University Graduate School

Throuhgout its history, Duke University has gained a great reputation as a premier contender in college basketball. Aside from sports, though, Duke University is also renowned as a premier educational institution. While many of the reputable universities were founded in the 1800s and the early 1900s, Duke University has only been around since 1924. Don’t let the institution’s young age fool you, though, because Duke University has a well-developed educational system. Duke has graduate courses in fields like allied health services, engineering, the arts, education, and the sciences.

University of Virginia Graduate School

Charlottesville, Virgina is the home of one of the country’s prestigious tertiary educational institutions, the University of Virginia Graduate School. The school has come a long way since it was founded in 1825. Today, the University of Virginia has broadened its curriculum to encompass numerous studies. In fact, U.Va. offers graduate studies in fields such as law, medicine, engineering, the arts and sciences, and education. Students who attend the University of Virginia may want to take a break from their studies to enjoy the wonderful landscapes that surround the school.

Northeastern University Graduate Studies

Northeastern University is a research-centered educational institution that has gained a good reputation as one of the top schools in the country. The university provides undergraduate courses like the arts and sciences, professional studies, and engineering. Those who want to take up graduate studies at Northeastern University can take up graduate programs in the fields of health sciences, business administration, engineering, criminal justice, and many other specializations. Students can benefit largely with the educational system implemented at Northeastern University, which favors a mix of both real-life exposure and traditional classroom learning.

Portland State University

Portland State University or PSU is a tertiary educational institution that is acclaimed as one of the top schools in the country. Being founded in the 1940s, Portland State University is rather young in comparison to other schools of the same caliber. PSU has played a big role in promoting education to the youth by having various community programs and events. Throughout its history, PSU has helped in forming and educating not only the youth, but also adults through their undergraduate studies and graduate studies in PSU. Some of the graduate programs that are offered at PSU include those in the arts and sciences, public affairs, and business administration.

North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University or NCCU has grown into a diverse and prestigious educational institution. When NCCU first began as a school primarily for African Americans in 1910, the school didn’t have nearly as many courses and programs as they have today. Aside from the excellent undergraduate education at NCCU, the school also has top-notch graduate studies for those who want to pursue their studies further. NCCU has a wide and varied selection of graduate programs that includes educational Technology, business administration, psychology, and special education.

Cornell University

Cornell University is one of the most famous and reputable schools in America. Located in New York, one of the busiest and diverse states in the country, Cornell has attracted students from all over the world with its high quality education. In fact, Cornell has affilliations with numerous companies from around the world. Cornell also has top-notch graduate programs and doctorate studies in fields such as Aerospace Engineering, Medieval Studies, Microbiology, and Zoology.

In the US, the best graduate schools are very competitive and tend to admit only the cream of the crop. Usually, these institutions only get the cream of the crop, so they have a very small graduate student population. Still, many students want to apply to these institutions because they believe they will get the best kind of instruction there is for their chosen field.

Health

In 2008, the University of Washington was commended for its excellent nursing program. At rank three, The University of Pennsylvania, another competitive graduate institution, has an acceptance rate of 21%. And in the case of Washington University, acceptance rate is at 67%.

Education

Graduate degrees are very specialized. One of the most specialized graduate programs is in the area of education. Advanced education degrees focus on different aspects of education such as educational theories, educational administration, and educational psychology. As of 2008, the Teacher’s College of Columbia University has the most competitive teacher’s program. Its acceptance rate is only about 48%.

Social science

The Social sciences are broad by convention therefore varying universities excel for a particular graduate program. However, some top-ranking universities are noted for their very selective admission standards. For example, Stanford tops the Psychology program and holds an acceptance record of 11%. Harvard, which also has one of the country’s most competitive political science program, presents a lower acceptance rate at 9%.

Engineering and the natural sciences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers some of the country’s best graduate programs, so MIT receives hundreds of applications every year. To maintain a low student-teacher ratio, MIT overall acceptance rate is only 14%, which ranks it as the most difficult university to enter with respect to the fields of engineering and the natural sciences. To ensure that it only gets students who are capable of coping with the rigorous academic demands of its programs, MIT looks for applicants with SAT math scores above 700.

Humanities

According to experts in the field, Harvard University has one of the best graduate programs in English. Yale offers the best History program according to a huge number of respondents. Princeton, the University of California – Berkeley, and Stanford also have competitive graduate programs in the Humanities.

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Earning a graduate degree is an investment for it furthers your potentials and demands time, effort, and money. Although a bachelor’s degree may have already prepared you for the initial steps of your career, having advanced knowledge pertinent to a certain field can make a difference.

Your graduate degree and your career path

Having a graduate degree can provide you with more career opportunities. Because of your advanced learning and better qualifications, more job positions are open to you. There also exists the chance to be promoted if currently employed.

With better career options, the salary will also be more competitive. Definitely, getting a graduate degree comes in handy when you apply for a higher position in the academe or the corporate world and would also merit you better chance to negotiate for a better salary .

Your graduate degree as an accomplishment

Earning the degree itself is an accomplishment. Having a graduate degree is something to be proud of. Not everyone who pursues graduate studies end up finish their chosen program.

Usually, graduating with a bachelor’s degree provides you with the basics needed in order to survive in the real world. Graduate studies, however, equip a person with more advanced skills and knowledge that are very particular to a specific situation or task. You can become an expert or a specialist in that particular area of your field of study.

Your graduate degree as a networking tool

Being connected to important people can advance one’s career. Going to graduate school allows you to expand or broaden your network and look for contacts. In graduate school, aside from working with professors who are considered pillars in their discipline, you get to establish ties with fellow students who may prove significant to you in the future. Attending graduate school requires just as much social skills as you need technical and logical ones.

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The graduate thesis is probably the most important part prerequisite for getting that graduate diploma. That said, thesis preparation must be done with care and with proper application of gained knowledge either school taught or from research works. After all, writing a graduate thesis proves just the amount of learning a student had for the whole duration of his study. For the sake of coming up with a good graduate thesis, a general flow would be:

Get your thesis adviser to approve your topic

Upon brainstorming, one can list possible topics for the graduate thesis. These topics are then to be submitted to a thesis adviser for approval. The thesis adviser’s role is very important since it is he who does all the filtering of feasible and unfeasible topics.

Research on background information

Upon approval of the topic, research follows. Research may be done through extensive readings: through library visits, reading of scholarly journals, and browsing through reliable Internet information. Research data can either be quantitative or qualitative; Research for qualitative data may be done using surveys or interviews: testing presumptions through samples or respondents.

Come up with an outline

It is essential to create an outline so that you can create a map of ideas. A graduate thesis can be very lengthy so it is important to have a coherent guide to follow while going through the writing process.

Prepare a draft

Coming up with drafts of the graduate thesis is important in order to fully observe the effective combination and sense of the pooled information gathered.  Beginning work early allows one to do several drafts before starting with the final version. This way, errors can be avoided upon coming up with each draft. Also, these drafts can be read for constructive criticism, all for the betterment of the graduate thesis.

Check for errors in language and presentation

Even when already dealing with the final draft, checking errors in the content of the thesis paper is still a must. Regardless of the extent of employing techniques in doing research, chaotic writing delivers the wrong image; sometimes a well-researched thesis can come out as something that was poorly done due to bad writing.

Bear in mind the specifications

Finally, the graduate thesis should be printed on clean sheets of paper. Following instructions given by the thesis adviser is something that should be given great attention to.

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Becoming a professor’s research assistant certainly has its perks. Earning an advanced degree can be costly and taking a full-time job is sometimes not an option especially if you have decided on a much heavier load for a certain term. Being a student assistant or a research assistant gives a degree earner more time to focus on his or her studies while earning a bit more cash to pay for some of the miscellaneous expenses. Here are some of the advantages of being a research assistant:

Gaining relevant experience

A research assistant allows one to have relevant work experience on the career path that he or she will soon have. Being exposed to actual research makes one check his or her compatibility to the chosen field.

Research work also provides hands-on experience, which is essential if one wants to become a productive academic. With this hands-on learning, you can put into practice all the theories and facts you have learned in your classes. Translating the technical stuff to real work will definitely be beneficial on the part of the RA.

Financial rewards

Although it is a fact that being a research assistant does not earn one a hefty amount of money, it still allows a person to earn by doing actual work while learning at the same time.

Enriched learning

Acting as a professor’s research assistant, one gets the opportunity to read original manuscripts or materials which are not usually open to the public. Having read information from the original source provides better insight on a particular field or subject.

Other benefits

Studying in a different state may cost more compared to state locals. Non-locals working as research assistants may be granted reduced rates in return for their services.

Well-performing research assistants may eventually receive scholarship proposals from professors or universities in honor of the services and hard work that had been duly given for a particular work.  This is not rarely practiced as universities and those from the academe recognizes true potential in students.

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