Graduate School Information

Graduate school provides in-depth learning in a specific academic discipline. Professional education (law, medicine, etc.) involves being trained for a particular occupation, i.e. law school students are preparing to be lawyers; medical school students are preparing to be doctors, etc.

Faculty advisors serve as a resource to students wishing to continue their education after leaving Grove City College. Graduate school in the arts or sciences (MA/PhD) or professional school (JD/MD/MBA/M.Ed., etc.) involves a great deal of planning and preparation. If you think graduate or professional school might be in your future, schedule an appointment to discuss this with your advisor and, perhaps, other faculty in your department.

Begin the process

• Contact Dr. Caleb Verbois, Pre-Law Advisor for more information on pre-law programs
• Contact Mrs. Kathy Leonard, Director of Academic Advising, for more information on pre-health programs

Planning websites

• GradSchools.com
• Princeton Review

Searching the internet will provide many more sources.

Admissions Exams

Make sure you know when the test for your type of program is offered and that you'll have taken it in sufficient time to have it returned prior to your application deadline for the colleges/universities to which you are applying.

• Graduate Record Exams (GRE): Required of most graduate programs. There is a general test and individual subject tests.
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT): Required by all law schools.
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT): Required by medical schools.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT): Required for all business schools.
• Dental Admission Test (DAT): Required by dental schools.
• Optometry Admission Test (OAT): Required by optometry schools.
• Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT): Required by pharmacy schools.
• Education Exam (PRAXIS)

Test Preparation

If you’re considering using one of the many test prep companies for any of the above exams, do your homework. There are several to choose from and the cost, length of program and instruction methods vary. You can find information online about each company.

Some students prefer to study on their own. If so, there are many resources available to help you prepare. The websites listed above will help you get started.

Personal Statements on Application

Most schools require a personal statement or letter of intent that specifies your goals and objectives.

Websites to help you with this part of the application:

• University of California at Berkeley
• Association of American Medical Colleges

Recommendation Letters

Every graduate school will require recommendation letters from faculty. Below are general tips as well as a few websites:

• General tips
• About.com
• About.com sample letter
• Tips from faculty – Dr. Celine Leon (Ret.) and Dr. David Ayers