February 23, 2012

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Moving Tips for Grad Students

Many college graduates will consider continuing their education and getting their graduate degree. When making the move from undergraduate school to graduate school there are many things to consider.

Since the first decision to continue your education has been made, the second decision is to determine what course selections will be appropriate and most beneficial for a graduate program. Many universities offer a variety of graduate courses on campus, but their are also online options for getting a graduate degree. It is important to consider just how many courses you will be able to take per semester and whether you want to attend those classes in a classroom or take the classes online.

Another thing that you need to consider is that graduate school is not always easy to get into or to pay for. Most graduate programs have a required GPA average from your undergraduate programs, which you can provide by sending the university the transcripts from your undergraduate studies. You also need to provide a variety of recommendation letters. Former professors are a great source for recommendation letters as are employers. If you need some extra financial support, you might want to consider applying for online personal loans.

Finally, you will need to consider how you are going to pay for graduate school once you have been accepted. Unlike undergraduate school there are not many scholarship options available. As not many people continue their education the availablility of scholarships for graduate programs is not very prevalent. However, there are several other payment options like student loans or grants that may be available. One of the great ways to learn about payment options is to speak with a representative from your choosen school to learn if they have payment options available.

 

Filed Under: Education, Online Education Tagged With: , ,

Getting Good Letters of Recommendation for College

Books 

Image via Wikipedia

A key component of pursuing your college education is obtaining recommendation letters. Keeping a few pointers in mind will ease the anxiety of this part of the application.

How and Who to Ask

It can be tempting to ask distant acquaintances who are powerful or influential to write your recommendation letters. However, these people don’t know you and so can’t speak to your true qualities, making your application seem insincere. It’s much better to choose people, like teachers or coaches, with whom you’ve worked closely and who know you well.

Once you’ve chosen your recommenders, give good instructions. Let them know your concrete goals for your education so they can work that into what they write. And make sure they know when the letters are due and where to send them. You’ll also want to provide stamps and envelopes to make things as easy as possible for the people writing the letters, and to make sure that the letters are sent to the correct location.

Staying Polite

When asking someone for a recommendation letter, ask politely. A recommender has to take time out of their schedule to write you a letter. Most teachers will say yes, but don’t assume it’s anyone’s duty to do it. Also, give your recommender enough time to write a good letter. It’s unfair to ask the day before a letter is due.

It’s OK to send the occasional reminder. Some people are absentminded and need the added push. Just don’t nag, and make sure you ask politely. And of course, send your recommenders thank you cards. It’s a nice gesture that shows that you appreciate their efforts.

Filed Under: College, Education Tagged With: , ,

Moving Tips for Grad Students

Moving van and lift, Germany,2007 

Image via Wikipedia

Recent college graduates on their way to professional school know that the next several years are going to be filled with financial hardships. Though some schools offer their students a chance to work as an assistant teacher or researcher, the stipend is usually only just enough to live on. Therefore, if you are a grad student, it is important to keep your costs low.

One of the best ways to reduce your living expenses is getting a roommate. Atlanta apartments are filled with single people looking for someone to help share the cost of living. You might even find a friend with whom you can build a lasting relationship. It’s worth looking into if you want to minimize the proportion of your income spent on housing.

If you are moving, you might want to look into getting a moving company. This will allow you to have your stuff moved without having to worry about finding transportation for it yourself. Also, if you break something while trying to move your own goods you have to replace it yourself. However, if a moving company breaks it, they’ll foot the bill. The upfront cost is higher, but it’s a safer, and much less stressful, option than getting friends and your own truck.

Your move to grad school can be a dream come true. With forethought and planning your move can be seamless and inexpensive. You just have to think about the bigger picture when you are making the big move.

 

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