GradStar is a part of a systematic, coordinated effort to place more Xavier students into graduate and professional schools. It is directly concerned with addressing the under-representation of African Americans in these types of programs. As part of the Office of Graduate Placement, GradStar students are advised on graduate, business, and law school opportunities and are guided through the entire application process for their respective programs.
Ideally, students enter the program in their sophomore year. However, some students have entered at later points of their academic career. You become eligible for GradStar by maintaining a 2.75 grade point average (in any major) and/or receiving the recommendation of your department chair or GradStar Faculty Liaison.
As a GradStar student, you will be encouraged to develop critical thinking, research, and writing skills. This is accomplished through academic coursework, summer research programs, and semi-monthly seminars. These seminars are sponsored through the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, which is funded by a U.S. Department of Education grant.
Additional program components include standardized test preparation (GRE, GMAT, LSAT); orientation/motivational seminars on graduate school placement, application, admission and completion; campus visitations; and recruiter visits during our semi-annual GradFair.
Freshmen and Sophomores at this point in your careers your
focus should be on establishing and maintaining a strong GPA. This
is the most important step you can undertake in your preparation for graduate
school. You should begin to investigate your graduate school options
by discussing your thoughts and plans with faculty members in the discipline
in which you plan to study. You can also begin to apply for summer
research opportunities. Keep in mind that this summer Xavier will be
conducting our “SPRING” or second semester. If you need
to be in school at that time, summer research might be relegated to local
options only.
Juniors should be participating in a quality research experience
and preparing for the GRE. The research advice given above is applicable
in your case as well. If you have not completed a research experience,
you will need to secure this experience before the end of 2007. Remember,
most graduate programs are looking for those applicants who have demonstrated
competent and significant research skills. It is advisable to
take the GRE prior to you senior year so be prepared to take it this Spring
or Summer. The Office of Graduate Placement plans to conduct a GRE
Prep Course beginning in February. Contact us when you return
to campus.
Graduating
Seniors who are interested in enrolling in graduate programs in
the Fall of 2007 should be well on your way towards completing the application
process. While we have all gone through quite an ordeal and many
people have been very compassionate and understanding, graduate programs
likely will not be that understanding next August when it’s time
to start classes. Either you did what was required or you did not.
We have typically suggested that all applications be completed by Dec.
1st. If you have not begun the process you still have
time since many deadlines occur in January, however it is going to be more
difficult to complete the process while Xavier is in the re-opening stage. Make
sure that you have taken your GRE, requested letters
of recommendation, written and reviewed your statement
of purpose, completed your online (highly recommended
at this time) or written application. This
is a serious process so you would be wise to invest the requisite time
and energy to produce quality applications. We will be glad to assist
with any part of the process including review of your statement. Our
contact information is as follows:
Additional information you might find helpful at this time:
Go to the following website where you will find an article originally published
in Black Collegian Magazine, “What
You Need to Know About Graduate School” by Dr. Rovaris
For a comprehensive list of fellowship and other graduate funding opportunities,
go to - http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Student/GRFN/
For help with your statement of purpose click on Statement of Purpose on
the Graduate Placement Webpage
For an interactive and comprehensive list of graduate programs, go to - http://www.petersons.com/
For a list of summer research programs go to the CUR
website and the following:
http://dept.physics.upenn.edu/undergraduate/lablist.html
http://www.ams.org/employment/reu.html
Michelle Carter, MA, JD
Director of Graduate Placement
