Picture this: You withdrawbeen eagerly awaiting the start of your graduate student experience, only to sightthat you pull innot followed through on on the wholethat is neededbefore classes begin.
It's nonan uncommon situation. In my years as a dean of admissions and dean of students, I saw students misskey steps along the way that affected their graduate school careers.
One launchingstudent at Columbia University did not complete any of her loan applications until ahebdomadbefore the term in which she was enrolling, and as a result, had to eludethe start of her master's degree program until the next term.
[Figure let outhow to pay for graduate school.]
An admitted Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University did not respond to confirm receipt of her fellowship, and muzzyit. She had to wait another year before enrolling.
Sadly, these types of situations were repeated bothyear during my tenure. Incoming students who were quite diligent in the dressingof their applications somehow did not manage their post-admission process as diligently. As a result, they started off in a much more(prenominal)stressful manner or had to delay their graduate takestart entirely.
Your orientation program, while perhaps a good turnstressful, should be largely an informative, enjoyable and rewarding time, setting the feelfor what is to come in your graduate student experience. To ensure that this is the case, be sure and read through all(prenominal)orientation materials and do the following.
1. Take care of business prior to your arrival: If you recentlycompletea degree and your acceptance letter indicated that you must yielda finaltranscript or proof of degree, gather upthe official final documents be sent from your previous institution.
One entrywayMBA student at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business did not send final documentation of receiving his undergraduate degree. That held up receipt of his studentreadjustmentaccount, which resulted in late fees and also affected his ability to directthe courses he wanted in the first term.
In addition, confirm that all of your financial aid, health insurance and health center forms atomic number 18where they need to be. If you need a parking pass, apply early.
[Find scholarships for graduate school.]
If you aran international student, confirm whether or not you have to take an English placement exam.
And be sure to weeyour student ID account online. This paves the way for you to receive important communication theoryfrom your school, for which you are responsible.
2. Hit the ground running when you arrive: First and foremost, do a walking tour of the campus – and sort outsure you know where the bookstoreis.
Pay any fees, including your first term tuition bill. Find out if other incoming students have arrived, and start connecting with them.
And by all means, take time to read the graduate student handbookfrom cover to cover. It maynot be the most raisefew hours you'll spend, but you are responsible for everything contained in the handbook. So read it now.
[Learn why graduate school pays off.]
3. Actively engage in orientation: Determine that you are going to be an active participant in this program, not just a bystander or outside observer. After all, you chose to picturethis institution, and you will be there for at least 18 months.
As the saying goes, "You get out what you put in." Some activities and sessions may be of greater interest to you than others. That is understandable. But at the discontinueof the day, your overall experience in graduate school, for better or worse, is largely in your hands.
This will be such a special and meaningful time – and it should be – if you decide to make it so. Show up. Participate. Communicate. Ask questions. Reach out. Have fun. The rewards will last a lifetime.
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Materials taken from US News
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