DIVISION OF STUDENT SERVICES |
Career Services |
Graduate School and Professional School
Introduction
Reedies and Graduate/Professional School
Getting Started
Additional Information (Application Nuts & Bolts)
What to Do When You Are Accepted
INTRODUCTION
Applying to graduate or professional school can be an exciting process; it also can be tedious, daunting, and overwhelming. These pages, along with the specific links to the right, provide resources to help you to decide whether and when to pursue advanced study, and how the process of application works.REEDIES AND GRADUATE/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL
Advanced Study
- Business school
- Graduate school
- Law school
- Medical school/health professions
- Masters in Education - MAT (under construction)
Most students who begin their undergraduate work at Reed plan to go on to some kind of graduate or professional school. Many stick with that plan, while others discover meaningful pursuits and engagement without further formal study.
Below are some interesting facts from Reed's office of institutional research about the known educational attainment of Reed graduates over the last decade (i.e., 2000 – 2010).
Of those alumni who graduated between 2000-2010 and pursued advanced degrees (between 50 and 60 percent of all graduates), 17 percent have earned PhDs; 61 percent have earned master’s degrees; 11 percent have JDs or LLDs (law); 5 percent MDs or DDS (medicine); and one percent have earned other degrees such as associate degrees in arts or sciences. (*all figures as of spring 2011). It is likely that some of those who earned MA and MS degrees during the last decade are continuing study towards a PhD.
[Download "master's level" detail]
GETTING STARTED
Reed faculty members are your most valuable sources as you pursue the question, Do I want to attend graduate or professional school?
Seek a trusted faculty adviser to begin the conversation at least 18 months in advance of the time you would most likely start a graduate or professional school program. Take a few minutes to go over the career services handout on reference protocol. It will help you brush up on the dos and don'ts of asking for references.
See the box to the right for more specific information relevant to your advanced study goals, including application timelines.
Alumni can also be terrific resources as you consider your options. Search the alumni directory for Reedies in your fields of interest.
Schedule a meeting with a career services graduate adviser. Call 503.777.7550.
APPLICATION NUTS & BOLTS
Click here for a collection of resources to help you with graduate school examinations, personal statement guides, as well as general admission and graduate research resources.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE ACCEPTED
By April, you will usually know if you’ve been accepted to a graduate program. Before saying "yes," consider carefully whether your personal and professional needs will be met. Ask questions:
- What percentage of graduates secure employment?
- Do graduates find employment in their profession or field?
- How many students complete their degree within a reasonable amount of time?
- You may also want to consider deferring your enrollment for a year if you need more time to assess self and goals or research opportunities.
Remember to …
- Call admission offices to make sure your files are complete.
- If you're able, visit schools that accept you to meet with students and faculty to gain a better understanding of the program and university.
- Notify the schools you applied to, but will not be attending, of your decision.