Sacramento State’s Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Diversity Program are offering a workshop aimed at helping students apply to graduate school.

While 20 years ago it was seen as a great achievement to have a four-year college degree, today it is more common for high school graduates to seek higher education, said Jose Martinez, supervisor for Graduate Admissions. Students are taught in high school that the more education one has, the better his or her chances are for a well-paying job, he said.

Martinez said technology is pushing education requirements.

“Today the bachelor’s degree doesn’t carry the same weight as it used to. It is getting more and more competitive to get into a graduate program,” Martinez said.

One of the most important factors to consider when applying to graduate school is making a timeline of when test scores, transcripts and other important documents need to be turned in. Knowing exactly when a particular school wants a student’s test scores in, as well as how long it takes to send in transcripts from a school, is among other factors students should look at.

Different universities need specific test scores, depending on what program students apply for. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) are just some tests that students may have to take. The GRE is a general test that includes verbal and critical reasoning, the GMAT is a test usually for students looking to apply to a business program and the LSAT is for those students looking to get into law school.

Students interested in applying must realize that while most application processes only require one application, they will more than likely have to turn in two: one to the university and one to the major’s admission office they are applying for.

Every program has a deadline for application submissions. Application deadlines and completion deadlines may vary for different universities. Students should call the Graduate Admissions Office of the school they wish to apply to for more information.

Application deadlines are before the completion deadlines. Completion deadlines usually mean that all transcripts and test scores must be sent in by a certain time following the application deadline.

Suzanne Gerbasi, director for Graduate Student Services, stressed the importance of meeting deadlines. She said that it is important to get paperwork organized and complete on time.

“Students should have a plan. Graduate school is very different than undergrad. It is like reapplying to a new school altogether, and students need to be mindful of deadlines,” Gerbasi said.

Beth Marrit Miller, director of Academic Advising and Career Center, said if students are interested in applying to graduate school, they need to take control of their education now by getting good grades and seeking help in academic advising.

“Not taking your courses seriously is the worst thing that any student can do,” Miller said. “Use academic advising to put yourself ahead and keep you focused on school,” she said.

Academic advising keeps students on a schedule toward graduation and makes sure that students are taking the appropriate classes for their general education and major.

A student’s personal statement is also essential in the application process. A personal statement is a written essay that some universities ask of prospective graduate students. Certain questions are asked of the applicant by the admission committee to get a chance to see students on a more personal level.

“A personal statement is a sales pitch. You are selling yourself, so make it sound good,” Martinez said.

Personal statements should reflect a student’s personality and uniqueness. Applicants should demonstrate how they went above and beyond the other applicants by including academic rewards or any activities that may highlight their character.

Meggin Lindgrin, who graduated from Humboldt State University in 2000 is now seeking her master’s degree in public relations at Sac State. She attended the workshop and thought it was really helpful.

“I think the undergraduate degree is just an entry-level position, and for you to work successfully in your field, you need a graduate degree,” Lindgrin said.

The Graduate Diversity Program will hold workshops today and on March 26 in the University Union to discuss the process of applying to graduate school.

For more information, the Graduate Diversity Program can be reached at (916) 278-3834.

Vanessa Johnson can be reached at [email protected].