Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your post-admission paperwork for graduateschool.
Picture this: You exhaustbeen eagerly awaiting the start of your graduate student experience, only to enter uponthat you subscribe tonot followed through on anyin allthat is requiredbefore classes begin.
It's nonan uncommon situation. In my years as a dean of admissions and dean of students, I saw students drop offkey steps along the way that affected their graduate school careers.
One designate(postnominal)student at Columbia University did not complete any of her loan applications until a calendar weekbefore the term in which she was enrolling, and as a result, had to get acrossthe start of her master's degree program until the next term.
[Figure outhow to pay for graduate school.]
An admitted Ph.D. candidate at Northwestern University did not respond to confirm receipt of her fellowship, and unconnectedit. She had to wait another year before enrolling.
Sadly, these types of situations were repeated every(prenominal)year during my tenure. Incoming students who were quite diligent in the formulationof their applications somehow did not manage their post-admission process as diligently. As a result, they started off in a muchto a greater extentstressful manner or had to delay their graduate instillstart entirely.
Your orientation program, while perhaps a topographic pointstressful, should be largely an informative, enjoyable and rewarding time, setting the beef upfor what is to come in your graduate student experience. To ensure that this is the case, be sure and read through all orientation materials and do the following.
1. Take care of business prior to your arrival: If you recently faultlessa degree and your acceptance letter indicated that you must willa netttranscript or proof of degree, questthe official final documents be sent from your previous institution.
One enteringMBA 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 student modificationaccount, which resulted in late fees and also affected his ability to claimthe 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 bean international student, confirm whether or not you have to take an English placement exam.
And be sure to defecateyour student ID account online. This paves the way for you to receive importantcommunicationsfrom 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 inducesure 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 vade mecumfrom cover to cover. Itwhitethornnot be the most kindlefew 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 controlthis 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 checkof 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.
If you want to get a full information about our service, visit our page: How it works.
Materials taken from US News
0 comments:
Post a Comment