One of the most important steps in your college selection process is taking campus tours and asking questions. When you’re applying to graduate school, what that school could do for you is an important factor. Whether you are looking to further your education and career in the field you are already in or you are looking to make a career change, earning a graduate degree can help you take your next steps. This is also where you will most likely get the most passionate answer from the alumnus. If classes are only offered during the day, that could be a show stopper. Example: "I have been focused on academics for most of my life and will be graduating summa cum laude with a degree in economics and studio art from the University of Texas this spring. If you are in a situation where you feel like you can only ask one or two of these questions, be sure to ask this one. . What kind of credentials, education, training, prior experience are needed? You never know which of your classmates will be able to clue you into your next job. Out of the three alumni, you speak to, ensure at least once studied the same subject(s) you plan on pursuing. You want to look for answers such as quality of the lecture halls, campus life, access to resources, and other things that are rooted in education, academics, and the impact on your ability to grow and succeed. What criteria are used for choosing recipients? If they say they would attend again – they will speak highly of the school and you will be able to tell that they enjoyed their time there. Copyright © document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) - myKlovr | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | All Rights Reserved. Graduate School Questions to Ask Graduate School Representatives 1. If not, that could be a red flag. To get the most out of your discussion, ask good questions. Once they make that connection, business school experts suggest they ask alumni four questions that can help soon-to-be MBAs get through school and … What do most students do after graduation? For Career Exploration Inquiries. It also helps continue to paint that picture we started in the last question. The questions you ask will make a difference and we want to make sure you get all the information you need to make the right decision for your child. Again, you should not disqualify a school because someone has something negative to say about it. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Where were the gaps? On the other hand, you may discover that the school in question does a great job in assisting students in their transition into the workforce. These types of positives should be documented and will come in handy when you are comparing schools. Here are some ideas: Dig into what made them choose this particular school. They may prove to be highly valuable to i… Read more. Michael Roberts wrote about government careers for The Balance Careers, has experience in state government, and was a newspaper reporter. The work should help you do well on the tests. Subscribe now to receive tips & advice on college admissions & the latest news about myKlovr. Selecting a college is an important choice with long term implications for your future. Why Did You Choose This School? On the other hand, if the conversation once again turns negative, that is a red flag that needs to be explored. If you wish, you could note these questions down and take them in with you to help jog your memory, but you should avoid reading them out in a way that suggests you’re determined to ask the questions you’ve prepared word for word, regardless of how the rest of the interview has gone, as you could come across as inflexible and it might seem as if you haven’t really been listening. This is where you want to look for trends in the answers you are getting. It must offer you multiple opportunities to prepare you for your chosen career and the real world that awaits you. Were the available class times conducive to your schedule? Do the program, the graduate school, and the university focus on mentoring for student success? A demanding professor isn't necessarily a bad thing, but some are unreasonable. When it comes to picking an MBA program, prospective students consult the rankings, pore over the stats, query the consultants, and meet with the adcoms. Learn from the mistakes of others rather than making those mistakes yourself. Hardin suggests prospective students ask this question to learn more about the academic side of a business school program. If you are lucky enough to speak to alumni in person be sure to notice the emotion they use when talking about the school. The Difference Between Early Action, Early Decision and Instant Decision. So, how do you know if the college you are looking at is going to deliver these things? This is a big question. Don’t waste the interviewer’s time by asking logistical questions already addressed on the school’s website. Here are 5 questions to ask and what types of answers to look for. Not only can they tell you what to expect, but they may also bring up something you never even thought of before. You will get an honest answer and most likely get the reasoning behind it. Asking detailed questions about the programme can highlight critical differences that may influence your decision in one way or another. If the graduate responds by telling you that he is not working in his major you may want to dig deeper. This may lead to an important discovery such as finding out the school has a lackluster career center or has no process in setting their graduates up with companies after graduation. The school knows they are going to speak about them in a positive light. What classes did you find the most helpful? How involved or how useful these departments are, however, varies. What sort of career services were available? Questions or comments? Who are the easy ones? Most alumni are friendly. This question is another way to ask about the strengths of your academic program and your school, as well as gain insight into the current needs of employers hiring in your field of interest. Common Graduate School Interview Questions And Answers. One of the most important steps in your college selection process is taking campus tours and asking questions. Emotion and trends. When was the last time you tapped your alumni network? The school knows they are going to speak about them in a positive light. The biggest thing to look out for is whether or not the school is going to help you reach your goals and start your career off in the right direction. There is a lot of information to be considered. How much interaction did you have with other students? Career services should help you land a job, but some schools are better than others in this respect. I have tried to think of some basic questions to ask her, such as how much flexibility is allowed to the students with regard to taking courses, choosing co-advisors, as well as about how the PhD process works, what the most important milestones are and what particular challenges one should be wary of, etc. If you are hearing the same positive or negative things it can help you paint a picture of what it will be like to attend that school. Maybe a similar program at another graduate school will be better, or perhaps you need to look at an entirely different graduate program. We covered what questions to ask your campus tour guide in an. What questions do you ask at a Graduate School Fair? If certain classes are difficult, you can plan ahead by ensuring you take that class at a time where you function at a high level. How robust is the communication between the graduate school and students (e.g., newsletters, social media)? This is where you can tell if a student feels passionately one way or another about the school. ... but they will certainly help you gain insight into your recent graduate job seekers. To ensure you are getting the whole story, make sure to reach out to at least 3 alumni via social media or mutual connections. It is fine to ask them questions – but remember that they were chosen to be at that tour or open house for a reason. If the degree isn't worth the expense, better to find out before you apply to graduate school than after you've put time, effort, and money into it. This will give you insight into how well the school prepared their graduates for the real world. Questions to Ask Before Hitting the Rough Road to Grad School by Charlotte Thomas, Career and Education Editor, Peterson’s With all the difficulties that many students face when they go from college to graduate school, it’s a wonder that anyone survives the first semester. Nicole Nicholson. MyKlovr is a division of Student Global, LLC. Business schools will have recruitment fairs and teams dedicated to finding potential employers or internships. Who else should I talk to? Once you find these graduates, you should  ask them specific questions in order to get the information you need and not waste anyone’s time since many will be working professionals. What was your favorite and least favorite thing about the school? The important thing is that you know these issues exist ahead of time and can plan for them. Pay attention to how much time they spend answering both parts of this question. Ask about their opinion about how the working environment is - what is the working style of your adviser, what is the average time take for a PhD student to graduate from the lab, and where do most of them land up (as eternal postdocs, or tenure-track faculty positions) Wherever you choose to go, you are dedicating four years and thousands of dollars to that college and in return, you expect a positive and worthwhile experience. As much as you can, find alumni whose interests and study habits are similar to yours. Yes, you should research the college ahead of time. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account. Is an MBA Worth the Costs and Benefits of Earning One? What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school? If the alumnus had the same priorities you do now, this can provide plenty of insight into the college and their own thought process. What projects or tasks are performed in a typical week in this job? Education is an expensive product. Questions to Ask Alumni. Again, it is important to understand every aspect of this school before making this crucial decision. Here are some ideas: What influenced your decision to attend your graduate school? 1. To what extent do assignments prepare you for exams? Tips on How to Answer Retail Interview Questions. Are you happy here? The second part of this question is just as important. Can I get a better job with a master’s degree? This gives you an idea of what your time will be like. Alumni network is one major resource you can use for getting information (through “informational interviews”), passing on resumes, and securing recruiting interviews. Suggested Questions to Ask When Visiting Graduate Schools Basic Questions. Here are a few questions to get you started. It’s up to you and your needs as to whether or not these are disqualifying factors. If you need to cut back on the course load, find out which classes are best to take when you don't have as many competing for your time. It’s important to carefully prepare for the conversations to come. Once they make that connection, business school experts suggest they ask alumni four questions that can help soon-to-be MBAs get through school and excel in a career. Speaking to alumni is just one part of the college selection process. Top Teen Job Interview Questions and Best Answers. These questions should be considered well before you start applying to business schools: To get the most out of your discussion, ask good questions. This is one of the first questions you should be bringing up . What types of financial aid are offered? So, how do you know if the college you are looking at is going to deliver these things? Unless you plan to return to your current employer, you should ask alumni … Talk to current graduate students in your lab (even better, working with your potential adviser!) Talking to people who went to that school is an ideal way to learn about what to expect. Consider not just the immediate but long-term financial implications of graduate school. This is usually the first question interviewers ask so try to plan ahead for it. Get pearls of wisdom to help you start off on the right foot. Yes, you should research the college ahead of time. Tips for Answering Interview Questions About Your Education, Job Outlook and Requirements of Degrees for High-Paying Careers, Internship Opportunities for Students of Color, Top 12 Entry-Level Interview Questions and Best Answers, Tips and Samples for Getting and Giving Recommendations, The 5 Best Online Real Estate Schools of 2020, 12 of the Toughest Interview Questions With Answers, The 6 Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Classes of 2020, Essential Questions to Ask During Teaching Interviews. Walsh will sometimes put prospective students in touch with advisers who prepare undergrads for grad school. If you work a full-time schedule, you need night and online classes. For others, they may prefer to be able to walk to and from class and have complete control over their schedule. How Accessible are Resources for Minority Students? The Balance Careers uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. By using The Balance Careers, you accept our. It also must provide the type of environment that will help you to learn and grow as a student and as a person. Describe how you managed your time in a class where you had multiple projects at once or where deadlines were frequent. If you are not careful then this massive change can overwhelm you and your grades may suffer. What do alumni from your program recommend to you based on their experiences? Who are the good professors? Out of the three alumni, you speak to, ensure at least once studied the same subject(s) you plan on pursuing. How Should I Prepare to Answer Questions About My Education? However, the brochures and website may not tell you all the expenses you'll really encounter. What’s your biggest complaint? Question #8: How are Minority Students Treated? What was your major and are you working in that field today? This is where you will get the full truth, the good and the bad, about the school you are looking at. 3 Questions to Ask College Experts About ... learn where students from specific schools go to graduate school, ... students to ask if there are networking opportunities with alumni. How much personal attention did you receive from faculty members? Financial fit: A program’s effect on your wallet. From job search tips and professional networking to information interviews, alumni can provide critical feedback. Either way, these answers should help you understand if the school you are looking at is worth your time and money. All colleges have a personality, a sort of vibe or culture. Who won't put you to sleep? Once you’ve established an initial list of prospective programs, don’t forget to ask some “tough questions,” especially in the following three categories, to help identify potential deal breakers. How was your major related to … For some, learning a bus schedule is no big deal. Just like if the worst part of the school is that the football team is in last place or you have to walk up several hills, that is not a good reason to cross it off your list. Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job? The Worst Questions to Ask in a Graduate School Interview. Did the college provided them with a great education, valuable internships, and help in finding a job? What do you wish you knew about this school before you enrolled? A GAPS fair is an event typically hosted by a university’s career center and attended by recruiters for graduate, medical and law schools. You can find out everything from which professor to take for your first set of classes, to where to find a parking spot that's almost always empty. Some degrees are worth the money, but others are not. What’s your most important advice for new students? Many of them missed at least one class due to this issue. Alumni may be able to refer you to other alumni and additional connections within the industry. 2. At the end of it, you will need to choose a college that fits your specific needs and goals. Be sure to document these answers so you can refer to them later. Questions to Ask During a Graduate Admissions Interview . How Should Parents Handle a Bad Report Card? 10 Questions to Ask When Interacting with MBA Alumni September 11, 2020 | By MBA Program Office | Back to blog They can speak to the decision-making process they went through as an MBA applicant, explain the student experience while in their respective programs, and can give insight into how their MBA has accelerated their career. He encourages the soon-to-be college students to ask detailed questions about how many people who were once in their shoes actually make it to graduate school. This will help you decide if you have the time to invest in your education. Here are 5 questions to ask and what types of answers to look for. 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