Preparing for Senior Year
The fastest summer ever. Studying for graduate exams, visiting graduate schools, updating resumes and securing letters of recommendation-the list goes on and on.
The summer before senior year is so busy that students may wonder, "Am I really on break?" Nonetheless, it is the best time to prepare for senior year and beyond. To help your student get started, we've compiled a list of suggestions that address post-graduation plans.
-
Seek
professional
references
by
compiling
a
list
of
three
to
five
professors,
mentors,
internship
advisors
and
employers
who
would
write
strong,
positive
letters
of
recommendation.
Ask
permission
first
and
then
follow
up
by
providing
them
with
copies
of
your
updated
resume
and
curriculum
vitae.
-
Visit
the
BW
Career
Center
to
utilize
resources
and
meet
with
a
career
advisor.
Summer
months
are
less
busy
than
the
school
year
and
resources
are
more
accessible.
-
Update
resume,
curriculum
vitae
and
other
career
profiles.
Make
sure
these
are
up-to-date
and
that
your
Handshake
online
profile
is
100
percent
complete,
as
you
are
five
times
more
likely
to
be
contacted
by
an
employer
if
it
is.
Contact
the
career
center
if
you
need
help.
-
Hone
interviewing
skills
by
using
the
BW
Career
Center
Big
Interview,
an
online,
simulated
mock-interview
program.
Gain
valuable
feedback
about
your
interview
and
additional
strategies
for
success
by
meeting
with
a
career
advisor.
-
Network
on
and
off
campus
by
attending
professional
conferences,
interning
and
volunteering.
Use
social
media
sites
like
LinkedIn.
Expand
contacts
to
include
people
whose
fields
directly
and
peripherally
connect
to
your
major
or
minor.
- Intern or career shadow to gain multiple and diverse experiences.
Tips for students considering graduate school
- Consider which degrees interest you.
- Visit web sites to do a preliminary search of universities offering these degrees.
- Develop a list of schools that interest you and do further research.
- Determine tuition, living and other costs associated with the schools you are considering.
- Learn about each school's assistantship/fellowship opportunities.
- Investigate financial aid for graduate school.
- Talk to BW professors about your selection to get their input.
- Determine which standardized exams are needed then prepare for them.
- Learn what is a competitive exam score by talking with BW professors or contact each school directly.
- Register for the exam early because spaces can fill up and to allow time for possible re-testing.
- If possible, begin writing personal statements.
- Create a to-do list and timeline for graduate school application and fellowship/assistantship deadlines. Some schools have both graduate school and individual department requirements and deadlines. Most deadlines range from December through February.