Latest US Popular Graduate School Admission Guide

Author: Translated by: Qi Chonghai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: This book selects and compiles the best graduate schools and professional programs in the United States. You will benefit from its concise overview: · Overview of accredited graduate programs, including application requirements and tuition standards · Advice on the GRE exam · Guidance on identifying and applying for financial aid. With this book, you no longer need to flip through thick college guides to find your ideal program. One book in hand, and you have everything you need!! The programs listed in this book are all accredited by recognized institutions, such as the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. These universities have the ability to award both doctoral and master's degrees and are recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The book introduces each institution in a uniform format, making it easy for you to compare different schools and programs. Some institution descriptions may be brief due to their lack of certain qualifications or insufficient information provided.
Institution Information. Each institution's introduction begins with the school's name, address, and website. The first section provides basic information about the school: its type, total student population, number of graduate students, gender ratio, and faculty composition; it then introduces the school's facilities and resources, including libraries and computer resources; followed by information on educational costs. Please note that tuition fees may vary depending on the program you choose, so it is best to confirm with the institution you are applying to. The last section includes contact information and phone numbers.
Graduate School (Department/Faculty). The name of the graduate school (department/faculty), its director or head, and the programs it offers are listed, along with the abbreviations for the corresponding degree names. Abbreviations are explained on page 46 under "Abbreviations Used in This Book."
Excerpt: The Starting Point to Get Your Advanced Degree
Preparing for Graduate School
Currently, about 2.5 million people apply for graduate degrees in the United States each year. They may be recent college graduates or have been working for several years or longer. They might return to school for career advancement, to switch industries, or simply to broaden their horizons and enrich their knowledge. If you're considering joining their ranks, you likely share similar experiences and aspirations. If you're pursuing graduate studies for higher income, you'll be glad to know that Americans' income is closely tied to their level of education. This is confirmed by the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The data shows that individuals without a college degree earn an average of $48,717 annually, while master's degree holders earn $60,343 per year, doctoral degree holders earn $85,040 annually, and those with professional degrees earn an average of $107,666. Regardless of your motivation for pursuing graduate studies, it will mean making a significant investment—requiring substantial financial and time commitments. Therefore, ensuring that your investment yields results is key to your decision. You can evaluate its feasibility from two perspectives: First, assess your own strengths, weaknesses, environment, and goals; second, thoroughly explore suitable research programs for you.
Graduate study differs from undergraduate study. The differences lie in the focus of research topics, the need to achieve a certain academic level, and the potential for research outcomes to guide development in education, business, and management. Doctoral degrees are highly sought after in research and teaching fields, and their scope extends beyond academia. Doctoral researchers play a crucial role in shaping government and corporate decisions, as well as in scientific research and development. Are you prepared? Regardless of the field of research, you must be ready for late-night study, relentless effort, and more time and energy than in undergraduate studies. Strong motivation and perseverance are key to completing your degree. To some extent, the experience of graduate school influences your entire life. If you plan to attend full-time, consider whether you can afford tuition and other expenses, whether you need to apply for loans, and whether you have the energy to handle family responsibilities.
Choosing a School
Of the 1,700 universities, the size and location of the school are important factors to consider. According to the Graduate School Council, the following factors should also be taken into account: · Personal interests and hobbies · Admission standards · Prerequisites for enrollment · Financial aid policies and measures · Academic requirements · Post-graduation employment prospects
The quality of teaching in the department is your primary concern. While some universities may have high reputations, the key is whether the program aligns with your interests and whether the department meets your academic needs. Think carefully before making a decision. Gather as much information as possible before settling on your final choice. Additionally, consult with professors, current graduate students, and career services at companies and market organizations. Visit the schools you're interested in and explore their websites. Visit http://www.petersons.com/graduate to find comprehensive information about each institution. For application process details, visit http://www.gradadvantage.com. All this will help you make an informed decision.
■ Senior Tip: The specifics of departments and programs are the foundation of your decision, while the reputation of the university is just a reference factor. Schools invest significant time and money in promoting themselves, but their focuses vary greatly, and even the quality of teaching in departments and programs within the same university may differ. Just as a baseball player wouldn't choose a university known for football, you should prioritize selecting your program.
■ Senior Tip: The quickest way to find a program is to talk to current graduate students. Do you trust official information? People know that the best job opportunities aren't found by flipping through ads but through "connections" to employers. Choosing a program is similar. While official information from universities and departments is centralized and easy to access, take some time to consult with current graduate students in your chosen field. You can ask the department chair to recommend two or three students and ask them about various aspects, such as: How does the school treat graduate students? What are the prospects for research assistantships and teaching assistantships? What is the quality of the faculty? How are relationships among graduate students? Kevin Boyle, former executive director of the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students (NAGDS), suggests visiting the graduate student association to learn about inter-departmental events, campus parking, fitness facilities, and student part-time job opportunities. If a university lacks a graduate student organization, it may indicate a lack of emphasis on graduate students.
How to Use This Book
The programs listed in this book are all accredited by recognized institutions, such as the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. These universities have the ability to award both doctoral and master's degrees and are recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. For information on the Carnegie Classification, visit the "Our Work" section at http://www.carnegiefoundation.org. The book introduces each institution in a uniform format, making it easy for you to compare different schools and programs. Some institution descriptions may be brief due to their lack of certain qualifications or insufficient information provided.
Institution Information. Each institution's introduction begins with the school's name, address, and website. The first section provides basic information about the school: its type, total student population, number of graduate students, gender ratio, and faculty composition; it then introduces the school's facilities and resources, including libraries and computer resources; followed by information on educational costs. Please note that tuition fees may vary depending on the program you choose, so it is best to confirm with the institution you are applying to. The last section includes contact information and phone numbers.
Graduate School (Department/Faculty). The name of the graduate school (department/faculty), its director or head, and the programs it offers are listed, along with the abbreviations for the corresponding degree names. Abbreviations are explained on page 46 under "Abbreviations Used in This Book."
For More Information
To learn more about a specific program, visit http://www.petersons.com/graduate. The source of the information is indicated at the end of each section.
Information Source
All the data in this book is based on the Peterson's Annual Survey. Each spring and summer, questionnaires are sent to 1,700 graduate schools in all U.S. states and regions, as well as to universities recognized by the U.S. government. The questionnaires are filled out by the deans of graduate schools and academic administrators, providing basic information about the universities and specific details about the programs. Then, the editorial team reviews and verifies the information for each institution. After further discussions with department leaders, the information is compiled into this guide for readers. We strive to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data. Of course, despite the editorial team's efforts, some information remains unavailable, and some data may change after publication. Some institution descriptions may be brief due to their lack of certain qualifications or insufficient information provided. Especially for new programs launched during the 1999–2000 academic year, details such as student enrollment and faculty composition are difficult to include in this book due to limited information. Therefore, for schools that have not provided more information, we only list their names and program names.