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Careers.lmu.edu > Events > Career Fairs > Grad+Professional School Fair > Student/Alumni Details

Student/Alumni Details

In this section

Tuesday, October 11 - Thursday, October 13, 2022

A third of LMU graduates plan to attend graduate school following graduation. Will you be next? Explore your possibilities!

The Grad+Professional School Events are an opportunity for students to connect with alumni and representatives from various graduate and professional institutions. Students can explore the opportunities that come with continuing education, expand their network, and hear from alumni, current graduate students, and health professionals in fields such as dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, and more.

Event Overview

  • What: Grad+Professional School Week
  • When: October 11-13, 2022 
  • Where: Zoom Web Conferencing
  • Who: Open to all class levels
  • Cost: Free to students and alumni

  • Grad+Professional School: Ask Me Anything about Applying, Surviving, and Thriving in Grad School

    October 11, 2022 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Zoom Web Conferencing
    An opportunity for current students in any major to explore the opportunities that come with continuing education, expand their network, and hear from alumni, current graduate students, and professionals working in STEM, business, higher education, law, film and television, and more! 

    Grad+Professional School: Ask Me Anything about Health Professions Programs

    October 12, 2022 | 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Zoom Web Conferencing
    An opportunity for current students in any major to explore the opportunities that come with continuing education, expand their network, and hear from alumni, current graduate students, and health professionals in fields such as dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, and more.

    Grad+Professional School: Virtual Fair Prep Session

    October 12, 2022 | 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. | Zoom Web Conferencing
    Offers students information on Handshake’s new Virtual Career Fair platform, tips and strategies to stand out in a virtual space, and best practices for virtually connecting and engaging with recruiters in preparation for the Graduate and Professional School Virtual Fair.

  • Admissions Process

    • Find out what the admissions process focuses on so that you can play to your strengths when you apply.
    • Determine if there are any special projects you need to pull together to send off with your application (some programs require portfolios or language tapes to be submitted).
    • What entrance examinations are required?
    • Who makes the admissions decisions and what are they looking for in a prospective student? Do I have the prerequisites required? What are my chances of acceptance? (Some programs will admit graduate students on a provisional basis for the first semester, so if you're not sure about your chances of getting into a school, think about asking about this.)

    Courses Offered

    • How specialized is the program? Will this program provide depth or breadth?
    • If you're interested in part-time or distance learning, some programs help out students in these paths, while others are less willing to work with you.
    • What are the course and thesis requirements for my degree? Do students need to consider any additional licensure or certification beyond graduation?

    Faculty/Teaching Quality

    • Get beyond the reputation of the institution and move on to the educational quality of the program.
    • Are the faculty good mentors as well as brilliant minds in their field?
    • Are they around enough to teach, or are the constantly moving from research project to keynote speech?
    • If you're interested in a professional school, does the faculty have professional experience as well as academic renown? Do they focus on one specific area of their discipline?

    Financial Aid

    • What types of financial aid are available (fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, loans)?
    • How much does the program cost (tuition, student fees, housing)?
    • Are there additional fees?

    Graduation/Employment

    • How soon do student graduate? How many complete the program?
    • How soon do graduates find employment? What kind of jobs do they get? What kind of support is offered for the graduate job search? How well do graduates perform on professional exams in their field?

    Student Body

    • Ask about the other student you will be learning with. Where do they intern during the summer?

  • When should you start thinking about graduate school?

    The general consensus among graduate school representatives is that students really should begin thinking about graduate school sometime during their junior year if they wish to go directly from college to graduate school immediately. Admission counselors agreed that the earlier students figure out what they want to do, it will only help them in taking classes geared toward the graduate school degree they wish to obtain.

    Is applying to graduate school like applying to college? Do you need to take any tests?

    Each program is different. For the most part, whether it be medical school, law school, an MBA, or a masters of Psychology- they all have tests. Most admission counselors advised students to first take these tests during the end of their junior year, so that they may focus on their applications during their senior year of college. If the first round does not go too well, their still is time senior year to re take this test.

    Has the economy affected your chances of acceptance?

    Some schools have seen an increase in applicants, while others have not.  Students should keep in mind that if more students are staying in school that the earlier they get started on the process, the more time they will have to spend on studying for the required exam, or completing their applications.

    Additional Resources

     

Student Grad Fair Checklist

  • Review the Virtual Grad Fair Guide
  • Upload your resume to VMock or visit CPD during virtual drop-in hours
  • Research the schools and programs represented ahead of time - Visit Handshake to view a list of institutions
  • Visit Handshake - View event details, sign up for 1:1 and group sessions. Click on the event you are interested in and then RSVP.
  • Attend a Prep Session to fine-tune your application and personal statement, develop your resume, and cultivate confidence for graduate school fair events
  • Prepare questions to ask the representatives ahead of time.
  • Prepare answers for questions representatives might ask you, i.e. Why do you want to attend graduate school? When? What would you like to do with this degree?
  • Dress casually, but appropriately. Remember, you still want to make a good first impression.

Questions?

For more information contact Gregory James at gregory.james@lmu.edu.