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The purpose of this page is to provide Honors students with important information regarding graduate school. It outlines the various steps one should take to be a successful candidate for master’s and doctoral programs. Additionally, our Honors advisors are available to assist as you consider whether graduate school is right for you. Therefore, do not hesitate to stop by our offices if you have any questions or need additional advice about the graduate school application process.

WHY GRAD SCHOOL?

The starting point in the application process should be: “Why graduate school?” Many graduate programs expect you to address this question in your personal statement.

While the answer to this question will vary from student to student, the two most common reasons are as follows:

INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY

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.

PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT/DEVELOPMENT

Graduate school provides advanced opportunities for creative expression in the arts or in research. This will, in turn, open up new opportunities at higher levels of responsibility in business, government, and the nonprofit sector. In today’s increasingly technological world, the jobs in the work force are becoming more complex. Consequently, an advanced degree may mean the difference between routine paper shuffling jobs and policy making positions.

INTERNET RESOURCES

s you might expect, there are a large number of websites devoted to students who are interested in the graduate school application process. Here are some links divided into various categories that will help every type of student that is applying for graduate, law, business, or medical school.

PUT THE NEXT SECTIONS IN TABLES

FINDING A SCHOOL

  • 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

APPLYING

  • 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 WRITING

  • 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

RECOMMENDATIONS

  • 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/

FINDING FUNDING

  • 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/

SUCCEEDING IN A GRADUATE SCHOOL

  • 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/

TAKING THE GRE

  • The Princeton Review http://www.princetonreview.com
  • Kaplan Online: Test Preparation, Admissions, and Tutoring http://www.kaptest.com/
  • UCF Test Prep http://www.testprep.ucf.edu/
  • GRE GRE Online: Graduate Record Examinations http://www.gre.org/

TAKING THE MCAT

Official Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) Web Site http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm

Kaplan MCAT Test Prep http://www.kaptest.com/mcat

UCF Test Prep http://www.testprep.ucf.edu/MCAT

How to Prepare for the MCAT https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-medical-school/taking-mcat-exam/prepare-mcat-exam/

Gold-Standard MCAT-Prep.com https://www.mcat-prep.com/mcat-practice-tests/#Free-MCAT-Practice-Test

How to Study for the MCAT https://www.mastersdegree.net/how-to-study-for-the-mcat/

Study Guides: MCAT http://www.studyworld.com

TAKING THE LSAT

  • Law School Admission Council http://www.lsac.org/
  • Kaplan Test Prep – LSAT http://www.kaptest.com/lsat
  • UCF Test Prep http://www.testprep.ucf.edu/LSAT

TAKING THE GMAT

  • Graduate Management Admission Council http://www.gmac.com/
  • Kaplan GMAT Test Prep http://www.kaptest.com/gmat
  • UCF Test Prep http://www.testprep.ucf.edu/
  • GMAT GMAT Prep Resources http://mba.broad.msu.edu/gmat-preparation-resources/
  • Take a GMAT Practice Test for Free http://www.testprepreview.com/gmat_practice.htm

Important Honors Academy Documents

Honors Academy Handbook 2023-24

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