Can anyone give me some info on Graduate School?

Question

I'm the first person in my family to go to college, and will be graduating next semester with a B.A. in Government at The University of Texas at Austin and I would like my next step to be Grad. School. Now, how does one get into Grad School. What is a GRE? What would a good Grad School be for Political Science or Government? Etc....

Answer 1

Applying to graduate schools is a lot like applying to undergraduate schools. You will nned two or three letters from your current faculty -- so talk to them now.

The GRE is a standardized exam that is a lot ike the SATs.

Talk with your professors about good graduate schools in your field. Most of the better schools have good programs. Harvard's Kennedy School, Princeton's Wilson School, Duke, Berkeley. UT has a good program -- but it might be good for you to go elsewhere.

Answer 2

Hook'em Horn's to a fellow longhorn.
I applied to grad schools this past fall semester, and I can tell you all you need to know about graduate school.

In a nutshell, typically, grad school admission will judge an incoming applicant on these 4 criterias: GPA, Letters of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose/Personal Statment (its like an admission essay), and your GRE score.

GPA is fairly explainatory. Certain programs will look at your 4 year cumulative GPA, certain school will only consider your last 2 year cumulative GPA, and certain school will only consider your major GPA.

You will typicallly need 3 Letters of Recommendation. And these letters should be obtained from professors who specializes in your field of interest. Also, they should know you well enough to be able to write a strong of letter of recommendation for you.

If you don't have prior research experienece, don't fret. It will not hurt you. But it can certainly help you if you do.

Also, you will have to write a personal statement explaining to the admission committee why you want to attend graduate school, why you are qualified, and why you are interested in their particular program. These essays should usually be 800-1000 words long.

GRE is the graduate school's version of the SAT. You have a math section (which is no harder than the SAT's math secotion), a verbal section (with more advanced vocabularies and reading comprehension sections), and a writing section where you are required to write 2 short essays. However, don't worry too much about the GRE. Most graduate programs don't put much stock into your GRE score, unless you scored an amazingly low score i.e. 1000 out of 1600 possible points.

if you have a chance, read up on my personal quest to attending graduate school :D

http://www.applytograd.com/you-may-be-more-qualified-than-you-think/

Answer 3

I believe most of the best grad schools for PoliSci and Govt are located in and near DC: Georgetown, George Washington, etc. I also believe that Harvard offers quite a strong program. But those aren't my fields of specialty. You'd be well served to speak with one of the professors or advisors in those majors at your current school, and talk about the best schools with them.

The GRE is a standardised test needed for entry into many graduate programs. Like the SAT, there are study guides, etc., available both online and in your local bookstore. Your school's library may also have some, so you can get familiar with the test. There are prep classes, if you're interested. In fact, most universities offer these via their continuing ed departments. You may be able to take one over the summer, if you'd like.

In many cases, the deadlines for applying to grad school for the fall term may have passed. But you can check with each individual university to see - some will admit you even after the date, so long as they have places available.

It may also not be a bad idea to work for a year or two, ideally in a field related to what you want to do in grad school. Take that time to investigate which schools have the best Masters programs for you, study for and take the GRE - and then apply.