Representatives from over 130 graduate schools are scheduled to come to Binghamton University today for the Graduate School Fair.
The Fair, sponsored by the Career Development Center and the Student Association, is set to run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Events Center. Off Campus College Transportation will provide blue bus service from 10:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. from the West Gym and Student Union.
“Grad school [representatives] feel it is important to come and meet face to face,” said Holly Horn, assistant director for the CDC. “That may improve [students’] chances of being admitted.”
BU holds one Graduate School Fair each school year.
According to Horn, the CDC works alongside Cornell University in Ithaca so graduate school representatives can make a tour “loop” of Upstate New York universities in one visit.
Horn recommends that interested students come prepared for the fair before speaking to representatives from graduate schools.
Web sites such as petersons.com and gradschools.com allow students to research accredited schools nationwide.
According to Horn, a strong passion for a field should be the determining factor on whether or not to attend grad school.
“We encourage students to think about graduate school if their desired field requires advanced education,” Horn said.
The CDC is providing pamphlets that will be available in their Library North Ground level office and at the fair in order to help students decide which questions to ask the representatives from the graduate schools.
Question topics can range from the application process to the marketability of a certain program degree, Horn said.
The written material gives tips on writing a personal statement and how admission decisions are made.
The on-campus McNair Scholars Program located in the College-in-the-Woods Library provides assistance to undergraduate students who wish to become graduate and Ph.D. candidates by giving them research experience, graduate school application waivers and GRE test preparation.
“The McNair program helps you pay for Kaplan, and postage for letters,” said Saintedym Wills, a senior bio-chemistry major. “You also have a mentor.”
Eligibility for the program is extended to underrepresented minority groups and first-generation college students. To view availability and apply, visit www.binghamton.edu/mcnair/eligibility.html.