TITLE:  Director, Academic Resource Center              Coordinator, Social Sciences Honors              Lecturer, Social Sciences              Office Phone: (949) 824-6298                Fax: (949) 824-1976                Email: castellj@uci.edu   VITA   ACADEMIC COURSES   PUBLICATIONS   CONSULTATIONS	Graduate School   Graduate School is an imperative stage of the educational journey. As you reach the end of your undergraduate years, many will ask, “Is graduate education for me?” The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Some of you are first-generation and some of your parents did not even completed high school. Graduate school is still for you. Today, a college degree is equivalent to a high school diploma 20 years ago. Therefore, if you want to live comfortably with some cash in your pocket, you must attain a Masters degree – at a minimum. A graduate degree is also the difference between a job and a career. Pursue a post baccalaureate and do not stop at the BA. Go on for the MA and Ph.D.! ITEMS FOR ADMISSION CONSIDERATION   1. The Five Educational Pillars       Application Process   2. Faculty Letters of Recommendation (provide one more letters than the number requested.       The letters must be strong and your faculty must know you personally.)       Mentorship   3. Statement of Purpose       Statement of Purpose Presentation   4. GRE/LSAT/GMAT (for some)   5. GPA – 2.7 or above – if less than – must consider masters and working before Ph.D. FUNDING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL The cost for graduate school discourages many students who already have loans after their BA. Do not allow your debt to get in the way between you and your graduate education. In fact, if you select the proper program, there is normally funding for all the Ph.D.s and a number of competitive masters candidates. For graduate school funding, you have a number of options to cover your costs. They include fellowships, graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, counseling and staff assistantships, or loans. The fellowship rewards the student for their educational success and does not require work hours from the student. It is free money earned for your academic accomplishments. It pays your tuition and provides you extra money for your living expenses. A student can be awarded institutional fellowships or organization fellowships (e.g., FORD). Take the time to inquire about the various options and how you can qualify for them. Assistantships require 20 hours of work doing research, teaching, recruiting, or counseling. This type of funding also covers your tuition and allows you to not accrue expenses throughout your graduate training. The part-time work allows you to concentrate on your studies while attaining quality experience for your career. The hours are manageable and the financial assistance toward tuition and rent are very useful for your budget. Most students could finish graduate school with assistantships and a minimal debt. Your last option is loans. Although I do not encourage student to take out loans, they can be attained at a very low interest. Furthermore, they can be paid back in 30 year periods. The interest paid is also tax deductible and some institutions and organizations will pay for your loans if you teach in certain areas and certain students.
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