Graduate School Guide

There are a variety of sources of information about graduate schools-almost as many as there are graduate school programs in the United States (more than 1,800). The information you gather can be at once confusing and enlightening.

It’s your decision, so gather information in a systematic way that suits you goals for learning about which graduate program to select. Operate on fact, not fiction. Make your choice based on your opinion and not the opinion of someone else, no matter how close to you or how convincing that person may be.

Here is a list of just a few references related to graduate study. By no means comprehensive, this list nevertheless gives you a “start” if you are assessing programs, institutions, and possibilities. Relying on one resource is unwise, as you may be obtaining the viewpoint of only one author or editor; after you review more than one source you may discover contrasting opinions and information that, while true, may reflect a set of evaluation criteria that is different than you own. Publications based on research gathered in a scientific way should provide you with a solid foundation on which to base your opinion.

How To Get Into Grad School Workshop
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
3pm - 4pm @ U.C. Tejas A
RSVP: Liza.Wisner@tamucc.edu

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Printed References about Graduate School

Beyond the Ivy Wall
Greene, Howard and Robert Minton
Boston and Toronto: Little, Brown and Company, 1989
(800) 759-0190

Directory of Graduate Programs
Updated yearly
Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service
(609) 921-9000
$25 for each volume
$100 for set

Graduate School Guide Bookstore
New Rochelle, NY
http://www.schoolguides.com
(800) 433-7771
Various prices for a variety of “tip” books on graduate school programs, applications, and financial aid

Guide to American Graduate Schools
Doughty, Harold R., and Harod R. Doughty
Penguin Books, 1994
Under $20. Available in bookstores

Peterson’s Graduate Schools in the U.S.
Updated yearly
Princeton, NJ: Peterson’s
http://www.schoolguides.com
(609) 243-9111
Under $25-various volumes for different areas of study

The Real Guide to Grad School
Clark, Robert E. and John Palatella
New York, NY: Lingua Franca Books, 1997
http://chronicle.com
Under $25
Available in bookstores or online

Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change
Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1997
http://www.nap.edu
(800) 624-6242
Between $35 and $45 (hard copy or CD-ROM)

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Sources of Information about Financial Aid

There are extensive public and private publications that offer information about scholarships and fellowships for higher education study. A few are listed here. Check with financial aid experts for others.

Directory of Financial Aid for Women
Schlachter, Gail Ann
San Carlos, California: Reference Service Press, 1993
(415) 594-0743
Available in bookstores

Directory of Financial Aid for Minorities
Schlachter, Gail Ann
San Carlos, California: Reference Service Press, 1993
(415) 594-0743
Available in bookstores

Financing Graduate School
McWade, Patricia
Peterson’s 1996
Online order at http://www.petersons.com
(800) 338-3282
Under $30 online
Also available in bookstores

Free Money for Graduate School
Plum, Laurie
1996
http://amazon.com
Under $16 online

Funding for United States Study: A Guide for International Students and Professionals
Sullivan, Marie and Sara J. Steen (eds.),
New York: Institute of International Education, 1996
Available in bookstores

Grants for Graduate and Postdoctoral Study
Peterson’s 1998
Online order at http://www.petersons.com
(800) 338-3282
Under $30 online
Also available in bookstores

A Selected List of Fellowship Opportunities and Aids to Advanced Education
National Science Foundation
Publications Office
E-mail: pubs@nsf.gov
(703) 306-1234

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Web References about Graduate School

A number of web sites offer books and information about graduate study and graduate programs:

The National Academy Press:
http://www.nap.edu

Peterson’s:
http://www.petersons.com/graduate

Graduate School Guide:
http://www.schoolguides.com

Amazon Books:
http://amazon.com/

Gradschools.Com:
http://www.gradschools.com/

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Major Sources of Fellowship

This list of graduate fellowship opportunities for individuals entering graduate programs is by no means comprehensive, but it is provided to give you some basic information about some of the fellowships that might be available for graduate study. These are portable awards, which may be used at any institution to which you may be admitted.

There are many other sources of fellowships. Some are regional. Others are local. Community organizations like Rotary, Altrusa, Kiwanis, and the Optimist. Clubs may also have very organized scholarships for students from their communities. College honor societies, fraternities, and sororities frequently offer graduate fellowships. Contact the national offices of organizations to which you belong to find out if you are eligible. Or discuss possibilities with a student affair’s professional on your campus (dean of students, student activities director, or their staff members).

Deadlines for fellowship are as different as the number of fellowships. Usually, however, they occur early each calendar, so the application process often is in full swing by late summer or early fall. The competition for fellowship money is brisk, making for hard, fast deadlines. You will need to contact funders directly to create your own calendar of deadlines.

American Association of University Women Career Development Grants
Purpose:	Awarded to women in the early stages of graduate studies preparing to reenter the workforce, change careers, or advance their current careers
Web site:	http://www.aauw.org/3000/felgrawa.html
Amount of Award:	$1,000-$5,000
Application Deadline:	early January-check with funder for exact deadline
Address:	AAUW Educational Foundation Department 60 2201 North Dodge Street Iowa City, IA 52243-4030
Phone:	(319) 337-1716 ext. 60

American Sociological Association Minority Fellowship Program
Purpose:	To support the development and training of minority sociologists interested in issues of mental health. Funded by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the MFP seeks to attract talented minority students who are interested in the social dimensions of mental health issues and to facilitate their placement, work, and success in appropriate graduate programs.
Web site:	http://www.asanet.org
Address:	American Sociological Association 1722 N Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone:	(202) 833-3410 ext. 322
E-mail:	minority.affairs@asanet.org

American Sociological Association Doctoral Fellowships in Sociology
Purpose:	1999 Mass Media Science Fellow Program, cosponsored by the American Sociological Association (ASA) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 1999 Community Action Research Initiative, sponsored by the ASA Sydney S. Spivack Program in Applied Social Research and Social Policy
Web site:	http://www.asanet.org
Deadline:	January/February-contact ASA for precise deadline
Address:	American Sociological Association 1722 N Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036

Department of Defense Scholarships, Apprenticeships, and Fellowships
Purpose:	The DoD has other possibilities for graduate students. Check web site frequently.
Web site:	http://www.acq.osd.mil/ddre/edugate
Address:	NDSEG Fellowship Program 200 Park Drive, Suite 211 P.O. Box 13444 Research Triangle Park NC 27709-3444
Phone:	(919) 549-8505
E-mail:	ndseg@aro-emhl.army.mil

Ford Foundation Predoctoral, Dissertation, and Postdoctoral Fellowships for Minorities
Purpose:	Increase the presence of underrepresented minorities on the nation’s college and university faculties. Predoctoral fellowships are awarded in a nationwide competition to individuals who demonstrate superior scholarship and show greatest promise for future achievement as scholars, researchers, and teachers in institutions of higher education.
Web site:	http://www7.nationalacademies.org/FELLOWSHIPS
Amount of Award:	In 1998 annual stipend of $14,000 to each fellow and annual institutional allowance of $7,500 to the fellowship institution in lieu of tuition and fees
Duration:	3 years
Application Deadline:	November-Check for exact date with NSF

Jacob K. Javits Fellowships
Purpose:	To assist students of superior ability to pursue graduate study leading to the doctorate or Master of Fine Arts in selected fields in the arts, social sciences, and humanities
Web site:	http://www.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html
Amount of Award:	Up to $10,000 depending on financial need as determined by academic institution, plus tuition
Duration:	Up to 48 months
Deadline:	February-Check with department for exact date
Address:	Jacob Javits Fellowship Program U.S. Department of Education 7^th and D Streets, S.W., ROB-3 Washington, D.C. 20202-5152
Phone:	(202) 708-9415

Mellon Fellowships in the Humanistic Studies
Purpose:	Identify and encourage persons who are committed to teaching and have a broad vision of learning
Web site:	http://www.woodrow.org/mellon/
Amount of Award:	Stipend of $14,000 or more plus tuition and fees
Duration:	1 academic year
Application Deadline:	December-check with funder for exact deadline
Address:	The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Mellon Fellowships CN 5329 Princeton, NJ 08543-5329
E-mail:	mellon@woodrow.org

CIC Predoctoral Fellowship Program
Purpose:	To increase the representation of Native Americans (with tribal affiliation), African Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Hispanic Puerto Ricans among Ph.D. recipients in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering at the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Michigan at Am Arbor, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, or Pennsylvania State University
Eligibility:	Must be a United States citizen. Must hold or will receive a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university by August of award year. Currently enrolled graduate students at any of the above listed universities are no eligible to apply.
Stipend:	Social Sciences-$9,000 plus tuition; Humanities-$10,000 plus tuition
Duration:	5 Years
Deadline:	January
Phone:	(800) 457-4420

Truman Fellowship
Purpose:	To award merit-based scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service and wish to attend graduate or professional school to help prepare for their careers
Web site:	http://www.truman.gov
Eligibility:	Junior-level students at 4-year colleges and universities who have extensive records of public and community service. Scholars may defer award up to 4 years for graduate students.
Stipend:	$30,000-$3,000 for the senior year and $27,000 for graduate studies.
Deadline:	January
Address:	The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation 712 Jackson Place NW Washington, DC 20006

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Web References for Fellowships

A great deal of information about fellowships for master’s degree and doctoral study (both portable and institution-specific) can be found on line at these URLs:

http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Student/GRFN

http://www.nas.edu/subjectindex/fel.html

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