Learn about graduate programs
- Research specific graduate programs and careers using books, directories, and computerized career information systems at the Career Counseling Library.
- Attend the graduate school fair sponsored by the Career Center. It is generally announced well before the event. Before the graduate school fair, determine which colleges or universities will send representatives and do web research on the 10-20 that interest you. Speak to about 10 college representatives at the fair. Ask thoughtful questions about your program of interest, admission procedures, funding, etc.
- Visit the Centers for Transfer, Re-entry and Student Parents (TRSP), where you will find valuable information on graduate school planning.
- Attend workshops on graduate school planning sponsored by the Career Center and the Graduate Opportunity Program.
- Take the Education 98/198 course, Beyond the Village—Preparing for Graduate School, sponsored by TRSP and the Student Learning Center. The course mentors and guides students through the process of preparing for graduate and professional schools.
Apply to undergraduate research programs that include essays about your research interests
- Formulating research ideas and being involved in research projects will help you to prepare for graduate school. Both URAP and Undergraduate Research at Berkeley are good programs to consider.
- Start now to create a variety of essays about your academic interests. You will draw from this material when you apply to graduate schools.
- Ask for feedback on your application essays.
Take a practice GRE
- Determine which standardized exams you will need to take as part of your applications to graduate programs.
- Take a practice test to find out how you would score.
- The general GRE tests undergraduate quantitative, analytical, and verbal skills; thus, these are the skills you will need to build. Determine your strengths and weaknesses now, and begin working on improving them.
Engage faculty and GSIs
- Get to know at least one faculty member while you are an undergraduate. Make this important connection by going to office hours early in your academic career. Become familiar with the research areas of the faculty who teach in your department of interest and the research centers with which they are affiliated. Read one of their books or publications. Explore their web sites, if they have them.
- Relationships with graduate student instructors (GSIs) can also help you understand more about the academic field in which you are interested. GSIs are graduate students. Ask them how they prepared for graduate school and why they chose their particular programs.
- Not sure how to hook up with a faculty member? Check out the Freshman/Sophomore Seminar Programs and the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program.
