Graduate Education, can someone help?

Question

I received my Bachelor's degree in 2001. I need to go back to graduate school to get either my Master's or Doctorate. I am finding it tough to stay motivated. I am sure once I am there that I will do well. I am scared because I am thinking of entering into something that is on the opposite spectrum of what my undergrad was in- English Literature to Urban Planning. Any advice?

Answer 1

Contemplating grad school is always a bit scary, but you can do it. It is just a question of knowing how to make yourself a strong candidate, and learning how to gain admission to the best program possible. And you are right -- once you get there, you'll get right into the swing of things. And although it is extremely hard work, a dedicated and motivated student can make it through.

Here's how to prepare:

If you've never studied Urban Planning before, take a course or two at the undergraduate level at a college close to home. Get a feel for the field. Make sure to do VERY well in the course, and go to your professor's office hours to talk about the field.

Then, research all of the programs in Urban Planning nationwide. Remember your course syllabus? Identify which scholars are doing the sort of research you'd like to do, or which you find to be most valuable. You will probably want to consider the programs at which they teach.

When it is time to apply to grad programs, your applications will require your undergraduate transcripts (and the transcript containing the course you just took), GRE scores, a personal statement, and a writing sample.

So, get a great GRE score. This is crucial in order to qualify for awards, such as fellowships and assistantships. These awards provide full tuition remission as well as a small living stipend.

Get good letters of recommendation from your undergraduate professors. Be sure to get one from the professor who taught the urban planning course you just took. His or her recommendation will be the most valuable, because it is in the field you wish to pursue.

Submit a writing sample from the course you just took. Make sure it is literate, impeccably written, and demonstrates familiarity with current theory and method in Urban Planning.

And finally, in your personal statement, detail any experience in the area that you've gotten. You may want to focus on the course you took in urban planning, and articulate what you learned there, and why you want to further your study in that field. Be sure to tailor each personal statement to each program to which you are applying, mentioning the faculty in each program with whom you want to study.

If you do all this, you should make yourself into a very good candidate for both admission, and awards.

Best wishes to you!

Answer 2

It's tough going back after being away from it for so long. Your Lit degree isn't wasted though. It will be useful regardless of your career. And school is better than work. You won't have such a heavy reading load either. Good luck and look at this as an opportunity.

Answer 3

Ohio