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Grad School Guide APPLICATION 101 | ADVICE FROM ALUMS | LAW SCHOOL Q&A | GAP YEARS
ISSUE 3 VOLUME 73
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wolf
editor’s note
magazine
STAFF Wolf Editor MELANIE POTTER
Editor-in-Chief TOPHER BALFER
S
o, I’ve done the math. There are 5 months and 28 days until I graduate from Loyola. Such a scary sentence. While this may seem like a large chunk of time to some, to us seniors, it might as well be seconds. Loyola has been my home for the past 3 and a half years. I’m finally getting comfortable. And just like that, it’s time to put on the cap and gown? Yes, I’m sentimental. But, I’m also a bit panicked. The future is a time for big, life-changing decisions. For some, this means grad school. For others, it’s time to get a job. And then there’s gap years. Teach for America. Traveling abroad. The possibilities are endless. So, as we go forward into the unknown abyss that is the future, I urge you to do two things (1) create a plan for after graduation — don’t pretend like it isn’t happening. It is, and it’s real. (2) Enjoy the ‘right now’ and be present in this moment. Because before you know it, you’re walking across that stage, diploma in hand.
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Guide to grad school
{don’t panic, we can help}
Guide to grad school apps By Mary Graci, with help from Tamara Baker, Director of Loyola’s Career Development Center GETTING STARTED
Halloween may be over, but there’s one thing still haunting the upperclassmen on campus: applying to grad school. The fall semester is coming to an end and with it, the next step in your college career is creeping ever closer. For some, that next step is grad school. As young naive high schoolers, applying to college was a no-brainer. Fill out a few applications, write a handful of essays, try to snag as many scholarships as possible, then just pick the city farthest from your parents. Grad school, on the other hand, can be a daunting task. Something like a guide to applying to grad school for the average college junior would be a handy tool around this time of year. So, here’s a guide to applying to grad school.
GRE
First of all, start early. If your aftercollege plans include grad school, junior year should be your time for researching programs and figuring out what schools work best for your degree. Students applying to grad school have to take a standardized test, similar to the ACT and SAT everyone dreaded waking up at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning for. These tests are the GREs, and most students look to take them the summer before their senior year. Making that score can easily cause a few sleepless nights, but you shouldn't fret too much — you can take the test more than once.
APPLICATIONS
Once you've thought about schools and have taken the GRE, it's time to start the application process. This is where the advisors in the campus career development center become your best friends, helping you write personal statements and filling out applications. Applications usually come with a not-so-budget-friendly fee, so though applying to dozens of schools seems like the best way to guarantee you get into at least one or two, it can easily rack up a hefty bill. Applying to three or four schools is usually a good place to start.
WHAT SETS YOU APART
After you've written enough essays and personal statements over the years, it tends to come down to a formula, something you can easily churn out without much thought. However, with something as serious as a grad school application, students need to find what sets them apart from the crowd and make sure that shines through in those essays. Remember, these applications are being reviewed by graduate faculty and they're looking for students that stand out from the hundreds or thousands of applications they receive every year. GRE scores are important, but internship experience and the trend of a good standing in your major classes are just as important. These schools look at your overall narrative as a college student and base their decisions on you as a whole, not just a few numbers on a sheet of paper.
Cartoon courtesy of MCT Campus
DOUBLE, TRIPLE CHECK
Three of the biggest mistakes grad school applicants make during this process is (1) not triple checking for typos, (2) adding too much flattery and fluff in the essays, and (3) asking for recommendation letters too late. So juniors, start your engines and begin the search for that perfect school. Seniors, by this time, you're probably finishing up applications, sending them out, and praying for that one acceptance letter that could shape your future for the next four years. However, don't be afraid to take a gap year. Some graduate programs prefer students with some prior work experience, so a year or two in the field is sometimes better than jumping feet first into another school.
Guide to grad school
{don’t panic, we can help}
Undergrad to Grad - My Advice for Students By Nikki Navarez, A’14 First year grad student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
W
hen I first started undergrad at Loyola, I was one of the few students that already knew that they wanted to continue their studies beyond the undergraduate level of education. I hoped to receive an MA degree in English. I had always wanted to become a teacher of secondary education, and knew from the beginning that having both a BA and an MA would give me an edge as a candidate for a teaching position, as well as the opportunity to make more money. Grad school was always the goal for me, and because I knew that about myself, I made most of my academic decisions at Loyola in hopes that it would help me get into the best grad school. I started undergrad with a major in English literature, and then picked up a minor in Visual Arts my second year. I hoped that MA programs would find me well-rounded and desirable in having a minor in something unrelated to English because it showed that I am not just good at writing, but that I am capable of being creative in other mediums. I hoped that grad schools would see me as a student who was capable of thinking critically, creatively, and historically. I began talking with my advisors about grad school during the end of my junior year. It was a very casual conversation, more just to let them know that I was interested in going to grad school for English, and they were very helpful in offering their resources and suggestions on the ways in which I should approach applying to schools and what schools I should be looking at. After my summer abroad in Paris through the Loyola Study Abroad program (which I highly recommend) I took the GRE. I then took it again in November of 2013. The important thing to remember when taking the GRE is
that it is a hard test for everyone. Just remember to relax, get a good night’s sleep and get ready to be in the test for four full hours. It is an endurance test, and you can do it. Loyola is awesome because they offer reimbursement for taking the GRE because they support you in your academic endeavors. I would never have been able to afford to take the test twice, but because Loyola was able to offer financial help to pay for the exam, I was able to take the GRE again and improve my scores. During the beginning of my senior year at Loyola, I was meeting with a professor to seriously create my list of grad schools, and he recommended looking into Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He told me that another Loyola student had received her English MA from that program and loved it. After checking it out and emailing the head of the graduate department at Cal Poly about the program, I decided that that would be the best fit for me because I wanted to move back to California, and the program is one of the best on the west coast. I had also applied to schools all over the country like Tulane, Loyola Chicago and Fordham University. I turned in most of my applications in winter of 2013 and early spring 2014, and received decisions starting in March 2014. At the beginning of my senior year, I asked a few of my professors to write me letters of recommendation for grad school. Loyola is very unique – because of the small class sizes and the awesome professors, I felt very comfortable asking my professors for letters of recommendation because they knew exactly who I was and the type of student I was. Not many schools are like that, so my advice to someone who is considering grad school is to take advantage of the amazing professors at Loyola. I give a special nod to the three professors who wrote me let-
ters of recommendation, because I would never be where I am today without their inspiration and support. The English program at Loyola prepared me to be a grad student capable of handling and excelling in a graduate career in literature. With my English MA, I hope to become a teacher of secondary education, and maybe one day a professor with my Phd. This fall, I began my first quarter as an English MA grad student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I love the type of academic work that I am doing because it is challenging and exciting. I credit my academic success to the preparation and support given to me at Loyola New Orleans. Choosing to go to graduate school is a scary and difficult decision, but if you choose that path, the professors at Loyola are there to help you. But you have to be the one to seek out this help and information. Be proactive and be brave. Because of the education given to me at Loyola New Orleans, as well as support and love from both my immediate family and my Loyola New Orleans family, I was able to fulfill my desire to attend graduate school and, in the words of St. Ignatius, “go forth and set the world on fire.”
Guide to grad school
{don’t panic, we can help}
GRE : Defined and Decoded What does it stand for?
Graduate Record Examination
How much does it cost? $195 When is it offered? Computer-based test offered year-round and on specific dates at some testing locations. Testing appointments are scheduled on a first come, first-served basis. Remember, you can take the test up to FIVE times in a 12-month period. Where do I take it? Prometric Testing Center, Metairie or University of New Orleans, Milneburg Hall What does it cover? The GRE measures verbal reasoning, quantitive reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. These skills should have been developed over a long period of time and are not related to a specific field of study, but are important for all. GRE test question types are meant to reflect the kind of thinking you’ll do in graduate programs.
Law School Q&A By Jack Vanchiere Law school. A time for many trials, great tribulation and very little else. A place where great hopes and grand dreams meet seemingly futile resistance. Thankfully, we have such competent and inspired young men and women that pursue law degrees, people who go out and create and protect our nation’s laws and rights. Our very own College of Law is one such site of development and training of these determined young people, teeming with aspiring professionals.
Lauren Baudot
Graduated from Loyola in 2012. She was a double major in Philosophy PreLaw and English Literature.
Thomas Edmonds
Graduated from Texas A&M in 2010. He majored in Political Science and minored in Theatre Arts and Arabic Studies.
Dominique Badon
Graduated from LSU in 2010. She majored in History and minored in Political Science
Meet Lauren, Thomas and Dominique, current student at Loyola College of Law.
Q: How does law school compare to undergrad? LB: Law school is much more work than undergraduate, but Loyola undergraduate prepared me
well for the challenges I faced in law school. It is also an adjustment to, for 3 years, only study one subject matter as opposed to broad humanities learning.
TE: Law school is not for the timid. People are more competitive, people are a lot smarter and more driven. I study a lot more and work more strenuous hours. You can't get away with not reading for class because being unprepared means a grade reduction.
DB: The intensity of law school is nothing compared to undergrad—so enjoy undergrad now if
you plan on going to law school or grad school one day. In undergrad you have the freedom and flexibility to choose different classes and change your major, and maybe even skip a class or two. Law school classes are only about law, they’re intense (you will get called on and the professor will know if you didn’t read), and you can’t skip because you WILL be tested on the material discussed.
Q: Advice for students applying to law school/ grad school in general? LB: Make sure that you are ready to commit to a very demanding profession. It can be unforgiving,
but I think the reward is wonderful. Talk to as many people as you can who have gone through law school before you decide to attend and make sure you filter the advice you receive about going to law school based on what you think would be best for you because many people will have different and varying perspectives of the legal profession.
TE: I recommend taking a year or two before going to law school. Take time to find yourself, travel,
learn through experience and not just a book. Having personal experiences really increases your knowledge and ability to understand an issue from different points of view.
DB: If you plan to go to law school or grad school, research job and interning opportunities that are related to the field you are interested in. Having a working context of your area of interest will not only help your studies, but will also appeal to future employers. And don’t be afraid to try different areas out- more experience the better.
Q: Tips for those just starting out in law school? LB: Work hard and then work even harder. You will not regret it. Even though it will be stressful, try to enjoy it. It is a wonderful opportunity to attend law school, and time will fly by. Best of luck!
TE: Be friendly and connect with your fellow students. A reputation is everything; if you’re
known for being standoffish and uncooperative, then people will remember that and not help you when you desperately need it. A strong work ethic is needed, be prepared to study hard every night and continually rereading cases and class notes. Don’t get discouraged, everyone is struggling, some are just better at hiding it. Makes friends and find outlets. Good luck! It’s a lot of fun and learning law is awesome. Every job touches on law and you’ll begin to analyze everything in a law related way. It makes debating lots of fun once you have developed your argument skills.
DB: In your first few weeks it might feel like all of your classes and readings are Greek (assuming you don’t know Greek), and it can feel very overwhelming! But once you get the hang of it and figure out how to read cases and analyze law, it’ll slowly begin to make sense. Also, make friends with upperclassmen… they can give you good outlines.
Grad School Alternatives
{you have a lot of options after graduating}
So, you’re not quite sure about grad school? By Raquel Derganz-Baker For many seniors, this upcoming May means a few different things: no more 8 a.m. classes, saying goodbye to friends and deciding what to do with the rest of their lives. A number of seniors feel that graduate school is the next step after graduation. But not everyone dreams of going to grad school, there are many other options. Chelsea Boudreaux, a biology senior plans to attend medical school in Georgia. “I feel the biology department has prepared me for the classes ahead,” Boudreaux said. Keisha Kinyon, a music industry studies senior, isn’t 100% sure what she wants to do after graduation. Kinyon is currently weighing her options, like earning a teaching degree, and returning back to South Korea to teach English or maybe work in the music industry. Either way she says she will be doing something she enjoys. Sarah Tortorich, A’13, recently submitted her application to join UNO’s Master in Arts Administration Program of Spring 2015. In between graduating and applying for a masters program, Tortorich went to work. “I started working at Arthur Rog-
er Gallery two days after I walked across the stage with my degree,” Tortorich said. Tortorich plans to continue her work at Arthur Roger Gallery, while taking night classes if accepted into UNO’s Masters Program. For some people, graduating college means the end of classes — they would rather become a part of the work force. Angela Book, A’14, double majored in management and marketing. Book is now one of three administrative assistants for the CEO of the First NBC Bank here in New Orleans. Book felt “done” with school and wanted to be out in the working world. “I didn’t stop looking for jobs. I started looking around January before I graduated,” Book said. “I kept asking anybody I could and I also networked.” Book advises seniors interested in finding potential jobs to search on LinkedIn. Some believe if they choose not to attend grad school, they will have a difficult time finding a job. This isn’t necessarily the case. Lisa Collins, a visiting professor in the School of Mass Communication, found a job soon after graduating from the University of Missouri
in 1999. “I landed a job about three weeks after I graduated, and moved to Baton Rouge to begin producing the first week of July,” Collins said. According to Collins, her parents even offered to pay for her to go to grad school but she really wanted to keep working to sharpen her skills in the newsroom. Collins did consider earning her MBA, but in the long run, decided to enter the workforce. Collins advises students not to go to grad school just because they don’t get their dream job right away. Grad school is an expensive endeavor and students need to think hard if going is the right choice for them. “If you really enjoy school and want to keep that lifestyle, then grad school might be right for you,” Collins said. “But if you’re excited to start the next chapter of your life, just dive right in to the real world. You can always decide to go back to school later in your career.” Collins had one more piece of advice she wished to share with students considering the workforce instead of grad school. “Don’t wait for the perfect job, get a job and make it work for you,” Collins said.
“Don’t wait for the perfect job, get a job and make it work for you,” Lisa Collins, visiting professor in the School of Mass Communications
Grad School Alternatives
{you have a lot of options after graduating}
Taking a g a p year By Devinn Adams I’ve decided to take a gap year after I graduate from Loyola. Brace yourself for incorrect usage of economic terms and wish me luck. The original plan was to go straight from high school to college, then to grad school. This was my plan because I wanted to be successful in life, be able to give back to my parents, and not disappoint my family. Most it was because I didn’t want to disappoint my family. Oh, how proud they would be to say, “Look at what she did!” Claiming whatever triumph I achieve as their own and looking at me with shame when I wasn’t able to perform as hoped. Show pony, I am not. That doesn’t keep me from feeling like one though. I understand that my education is a large investment and I do intend on making it a valuable one.
I’d like to think that I built up stock with my time at Loyola. I’ve gained experiences I doubt I would have elsewhere and now it’s time I figure out how to put that into good use. I’ll admit that instinctually whenever I think about taking a gap year it’s rarely a positive thought. Prior to deciding that taking a gap year would be the right thing for me I thought it was for slackers. A gap year is that thing that kid in your class decided to do because they couldn’t figure out what type of failure they wanted to become. So, rather than growing up, they decided to spend a year being a bum because they couldn’t get into a decent college. I don’t know how that became my visualization of the quintessential gap year but it was. Every time I think that’s how I’m going to spend my time after Loyola, it makes me a little uneasy. Despite these feelings, I’m satisfied with my decision because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in school, I don’t
want to commit to something that will cause me unnecessary stress and I’m OK with not knowing what exactly I want to do with myself. My three and a half years at Loyola and a fairly lengthy quiz have taught me that I have adaptability and empathy, am restorative and capable of providing input and have intellection. While I’ll have difficulty trying to find a way to work that all into a proper sentence without feeling awkward, I know that I’ll be going out into the real world with some sense of stability.
Words of Wisdom {from Loyola alums}
Briana Prevost | Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University Even before I graduating from Loyola, I started applying to jobs in my field. I quickly realized that for some positions I wanted, they required years and years of experience I didn’t have yet or an equivalency of a masters degree. I always vowed not to let anything stand in the way of achieving my goals — especially something like higher education — which I always had plans of continuing past my initial undergraduate degree. So, after two years of full-time work within my field and two years of saving money, I applied to graduate school. To my surprise, I got accepted into each program I applied to and decided to attend the Newhouse School because it allowed me to focus my learning within the specific industry of the arts I sought employment. I graduated from Newhouse in 2013 with a slew of new skills, work experiences, and professional contacts that allowed me the opportunity to land my dream job working for VH1 at Viacom. For anyone deciding whether or not to spend the time and the money for grad school, I encourage you to make the best of every opportunity possible that you might not get otherwise. It’s a very personal experience, and you get of it what you put in.
Kristen Lee | Loyola University College of Law French philosopher Denis Diderot says that “only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things.” Because attending law school requires commitment, only go to law school if it is YOUR PASSION. But know that attending law school is a “lifestyle change,” so start preparing early. If you plan to attend law school directly after undergrad, I strong recommend enrolling in an LSAT prep course in the Spring of your junior year and sitting for the June administration of the LSAT. Also, begin working on your personal statement in the Summer before your senior year. This allows you to begin applying to law schools as soon as the applications become available in the Fall of your senior year. Applying early puts you in a better position receive available scholarships and grants. Finally, when selecting a law school, it is important find a school where you will be comfortable learning. Also, consider attending school in the area in which you intend to practice law; you will have better opportunities to network throughout all three years of law school.
Words of Wisdom
{ from Loyola alums}
Liz Stuart Centanni | Master of Public Administration at LSU
I
had been attracted to the idea of a higher degree since I was in undergrad at Loyola and wanted a useful master’s degree focusing on something I enjoyed studying. During my time as a local government reporter, I discovered I had a keen interest in how government and the nonprofit sector played into a person’s quality of life, thus I found myself strongly drawn to a Master in Public Administration program. I often found I had to bite my tongue as a reporter to avoid offering ideas to the politicians and government officials I interviewed, to maintain my distance as a journalist. I was attracted to the versatility of a MPA, which is applicable in many jobs in government. Each class has given me a wealth of information and new skills I can use when dealing with budgets, program evaluation, organizational behavior and ethics. My advice to anyone contemplating graduate school would be to focus on what they are genuinely curious about and to take statistics courses.
Words of Wisdom
{ from Loyola alums}
Ysabel Wright | Ross University School of Veterinarian Medicine
I
knew the kind of quality of education that you want and the type of environment I wanted to be in. My education at Loyola was the best, and I loved the location; right in the heart of the Garden district with lots of thing to do, culturally rich and diverse. Ross University is on the island of St. Kitts feels and feels like home in New Orleans, but yet a new experience of culture and diversity. I recommend researching a few graduate programs and choosing a school and location that you believe is a good fit for both your learning style as well as your lifestyle. You will need references and letters of recommendation, so spend time with your professors so they can serve as mentors for you and may present you, “highly recommended” to your school of choice. Don’t buy into the excuse, “I’m just a poor test taker”. Prepare for your GRE or other required test throughout your years at Loyola. Take advantage of resources available to help you do well on the test, such as The Princeton Review and Kaplan, and I seriously recommend taking advantage of those resources. Also, visit the career center and prepare for your interviews so that you are ready properly present yourself.