By Christina Randall
To undergraduates who are attending college everywhere, the thought of graduate school can seem daunting. The thought of taking more classes beyond a bachelor’s degree plus the work load included in a graduate program can seem impossible to some students. However, to get the inside look on what graduate school is really like it is a student’s best bet to ask someone who has actually had experiences in graduate school. Jenna Steiner, a graduate of Oakland University and the former president of Psi Chi, is currently attending the University of Michigan and is in the School of Public Health, Health Behavior, and Health Education. Thankfully, she has provided answers for some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to graduate school. Her experiences and insight will surely give those who are aspiring to attend graduate school valuable information about what they may experience sometime in their futures.
Q: What is graduate school really like?
A: Graduate School is unique to say the least. It is harder and easier than you would expect. I would say the graduate school experience also really depends on the type of program you are doing. For instance, my program is very career based and is quite intense as far as class load goes. Each semester I am required to take 5 classes which each have an extremely heavy workload. While a PhD program would have a very different make-up, with less class and more focus on research and teaching, so it all really depends on your field. On the personal side, going to graduate school requires both sacrifice and commitment. If you are fortunate enough to receive an assistantship your life will be much easier. Without an assistantship you will more than likely have to borrow a significant amount in loans, work to pay for your basic needs, and find the time between work and classes to do your readings and homework. This all leaves fairly little time for a social life, but it is important to fit that in somewhere or else you will go crazy!
Q: What did you do or wish you would have done in the application process?
A: Overall, I was very happy with how I went about the application process. Going to the Psi Chi events was definitely a huge help in knowing what needed to be done when. If I had to do one thing differently, I would probably have applied to an additional school. I applied to three schools which ended up working out fine, but in hindsight it was a bit risky.
Q: What would you tell an undergraduate wanting to go to graduate school?
A: Seriously investigate the programs you are applying to. The last thing you want to happen after putting all that effort into the application process is to start a program wishing you had done something else. I would also say that taking a year off is probably a good idea. I went straight into my graduate program and there are times when I think it may have been beneficial to have taken that extra time away from the school environment.
Q: What can an undergraduate expect going into their first year at graduate school?
A: Graduate school is very different from undergraduate, but not necessarily in the ways you would expect. Yes, the courses are more difficult and there is a lot of work involved, but you must be very self-motivated. Professors will assign more readings than you could possibly imagine and in many classes it is quite likely there will be no exam at the end of the semester to test your knowledge. If you want to learn you really have to put in the time and effort, because just going to class really doesn't cut it.
The answers provided by Jenna are both informing and honest. Getting a closer look into the world of graduate school can better prepare those who plan on going for what is ahead. With knowledge and insight, prospective students can stay calm and de-stressed knowing that they are doing all they can do for their future and dreams.
