NIU will conduct a free seminar Saturday, Feb. 26, for people who are thinking about pursuing graduate degrees.
The seminar, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will allow prospective students to speak with educators about popular programs, admissions requirements and financial aid options. The seminar will take place in the McCareins Classroom of the Yordon Center.
“This is the first seminar of its kind that NIU has offered,” said graduate student Rachel Munoz Tripodi, a graduate assistant for the Office of Engaged Learning Initiatives. “It’s being held because of the increased interest people have shown in attending grad school.”
Bradley Bond, associate dean of NIU’s Graduate School, will begin the seminar by explaining to guests how to decide if graduate school is right for them. He also will explain how to select programs that are best suited for them.
Representatives from the departments of English, Psychology, Counseling and Adult & Higher Education, Speech Language Pathology, Accountancy and Chemistry then will take part in a panel discussion.
At its conclusion, panel members will be available to answer questions from the audience. Participants then will be given information about putting together a graduate school profile, which will include instructions for putting together a personal statement and the etiquette involved when asking for letters of recommendation.
Before the seminar ends, educators will discuss changes that have been made to the Graduate Record Exam, one of the admissions tests required for admission to graduate school.
“This is a great opportunity for students who haven’t decided if they should attend grad school or who are unfamiliar with the grad school application process,” Munoz Tripodi said. “They will learn the expectations and the advantages of attending grad school. Nowadays, in many fields, a post-baccalaureate degree is needed.”
Registration is required, and lunch will be provided for guests who register before Wednesday, Feb. 23. For more information, call Munoz Tripodi at (815) 753-5002 or e-mail rmunoz2@niu.edu.
The seminar is sponsored by the Division of Research and Graduate Studies, the Department of Psychology, the Center for Black Studies, the Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education, the University Honors Program, the Latino Resource Center, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Office of the Vice Provost and Engaged Learning.
by Gerard Dziuba
