Are your chances better if you attend an Ivy League for your undergraduate degree, but only managed to obtain average scores; or attend a mediocre college, but ranked the top few % of your class? Do admission officers take into consideration your non academic activities, work experience, or just your undergraduate major? Are your chances of admittance better if you obtained your undergrad degree from the same university you are applying for a graduate degree?
2006-12-09 06:51:34 · 4 answers · asked by Victoria W 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
You don't have to go to any Ivy League school to get accepted in and Ivy graduate program, but I wouldn't suggest that you go to a "mediocre" school. Many state schools--U. of Virginia, SUNY Binghampton, U of Michigan, UC Berkely--are considered very good schools and feed many students into Ivy League graduate programs. Non academic activities may help getting into grad programs, but it is my impression that GREs, grades, and recommendations have more importance.
2006-12-09 08:48:16 · answer #1 · answered by Ace Librarian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest going to Harvard or Yale's graduate school web site and looking at their gradute admissions requirements. Then I would try to do better than those requirements.
Usually it won't matter what undergrad school you go to, as long as you meet their requirements. All colleges and universities are accredited using the same conditions, so they are assumed to be similar in educational outcomes. Yes, there may be some that are considered more difficult than others, but they are all accredited by the US Department of Education in the same way.
2006-12-09 14:59:27 · answer #2 · answered by Brandon W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will take into account how rigourous the school you attended was, and how well you did there. They will be interested in any work experience you have IN YOUR FIELD - teaching, internships, research, outreach, etc. Outside your field - not so much. Most schools don't recommend that you apply to grad school the same place you did your undergrad - it makes you look like you couldn't get in anywhere else, or that you're not interested in other opinions and outlooks. Go somewhere else for grad school - broaden your horizens.
2006-12-09 14:55:29 · answer #3 · answered by eri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How much money your family has.
2006-12-09 14:59:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋