Grad/Professional School

[ClassyLady]

Originally posted by RedefinedDiva
The only way that I would take the class is ONLY AFTER I have taken the test WITHOUT assistance first. That way you can see a correlation between the two.

In regards to the LSAT, the goal is to take that test only once and get a good score that time. The LSDAS averages your test scores so if you do okay the first time and great the second time, the score that gets reported to the schools will only be good. Additionally, I read that when there is drastic improvement in standardized test scores, admissions officers tend to assume that the lower score reflects your actual ability and the higher score was just a fluke.

I plan to take the prep course for the LSAT and the GMAT. I look at the money as an investment into my future. And, it doesn't hurt that I have a hook up and will be getting my class at a DEEP, DEEP discount.

[pointNclick]

*What you did in undergrad to prepare for grad school (helpful tips, etc.)

My undergrad degree is not the same as my graduate degrees. My advice to you, in your undergrad years, is to be well read and be really passionate about what you plan to do your graduate work in. If not, the whole graduate school experience becomes a drag REAL quick.

*The type of program you are studying or intend to study

I have a MS and a Ph.D. in Communications. My MS had a Radio/TV emphasis ( I wanted to be Cathy Hughes before she was Cathy Hughes, LOL). My Ph.D. focused on Broadcasting Law. Enjoyed both degree programs and learned quite a bit.

*What you plan on doing w/ this degree(s)

Still want to own a radio station. I will get there one day, just you wait and see

*Your current occupation (if you don't mind)

Director of Communications/ Media for nonprofit. Using all of my degrees just about everyday!

*The institution of attendance (once again, at your own discretion), including a description on the atmosphere, dynamics, etc. of the school and surounding town/city

Undegrad was upstate NY, some diversity in the town and school. Perfect blend. The most ideal place for me as an undergrad. Private university.

My master's program was in a small town, because I wanted to own a station in a small town. Since I had never lived in a small town, I thought attending school in one would help me out. The university was not very diverse and the town was very "seperated." The called me a Yankee for goodness sakes; let it go people...we have progressed. The town basically existed because the University was there. The students made up the place. Oddly enough, I enjoyed my 2 years there and have a real affection for the faculty there. I still keep in touch with them. However, the town was too small and too country for me. Public university.

Anyhoo, my doctoral program was in a town that called itself progressive- umm, I think not. Ideal for studying and focusing on research. Not much in the way of social oppotunities. The city supported the university in everything and the residents claimed the school as their own. Little too much emphasis on athletics for me. Major source of jobs: food service industry (e.g. Mickey D's, Taco Bell, Burger King, Chilis, etc.) If you worked for the university you were rich, if not you were SOL. Was offered a teaching position and would have been living high on the hog had I stayed. But there were NO eligble black men, so I had to bounce. Public, land grant, university.

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally posted by ClassyLady
In regards to the LSAT, the goal is to take that test only once and get a good score that time. The LSDAS averages your test scores so if you do okay the first time and great the second time, the score that gets reported to the schools will only be good. Additionally, I read that when there is drastic improvement in standardized test scores, admissions officers tend to assume that the lower score reflects your actual ability and the higher score was just a fluke.

I know that part. I think that I should have mentioned that I was only referring to the GRE prep courses. That was my bad.

I hope that you do well on the LSAT. I am not going to invest in the prep course. I just don't see the point of it. I had a friend that took the course and there was hardly any improvement between her scores (she took the test twice). Even though the two tests are hardly the same, I took the Praxis this past year and scored 2 points lower than the max without prep classes and all that. I feel that it is all in my head. When I practice alone and focus, I am good to go.

Do your thing, future Esq. Let me know how you make out.

[darling1]

HEY GC'ERS:


I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU GUYS THAT I GOT INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL. I WILL BE ATTENDING EASTERN UNIVERSITY STARTING MAY 30 TO PURSUE A MASTERS IN NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT.

I AM VERY EXCITED!!! IT IS AN ACCELERATED PROGRAM AND I WILL FINISH NEXT DECEMBER 2004.


SO I AM RESUMING MY ROLE AS STUDENT AGAIN!! WISH ME LUCK!!

[NOWorNEVER]

Originally posted by darling1
HEY GC'ERS:


I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU GUYS THAT I GOT INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL. I WILL BE ATTENDING EASTERN UNIVERSITY STARTING MAY 30 TO PURSUE A MASTERS IN NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT.

I AM VERY EXCITED!!! IT IS AN ACCELERATED PROGRAM AND I WILL FINISH NEXT DECEMBER 2004.


SO I AM RESUMING MY ROLE AS STUDENT AGAIN!! WISH ME LUCK!!

Congratulations and good luck!

[Confucius]

Originally posted by darling1
HEY GC'ERS:


I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU GUYS THAT I GOT INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL. I WILL BE ATTENDING EASTERN UNIVERSITY STARTING MAY 30 TO PURSUE A MASTERS IN NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT.

I AM VERY EXCITED!!! IT IS AN ACCELERATED PROGRAM AND I WILL FINISH NEXT DECEMBER 2004.


SO I AM RESUMING MY ROLE AS STUDENT AGAIN!! WISH ME LUCK!!

Congrates!!!! I wish you the best of luck and keep us updated!!

[Sugar_N_Spice]

Originally posted by darling1
HEY GC'ERS:


I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU GUYS THAT I GOT INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL. I WILL BE ATTENDING EASTERN UNIVERSITY STARTING MAY 30 TO PURSUE A MASTERS IN NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT.

I AM VERY EXCITED!!! IT IS AN ACCELERATED PROGRAM AND I WILL FINISH NEXT DECEMBER 2004.


SO I AM RESUMING MY ROLE AS STUDENT AGAIN!! WISH ME LUCK!!

COntrats to you, Gurl!!!! Doing Big Thangs!!!

[darling1]

THANKS!!! Ms Sugar and Spice!!!!

how have you been??

[darling1]

Originally posted by Confucius
Congrates!!!! I wish you the best of luck and keep us updated!!

thanks!!!!!

[candygirl]

I didn't know that so many of you all were pursuing degrees in Public Administration, Public Policy, and Non-Profit Management. I too will be entering graduate school as a candidate for an MPA degree. Its interesting that many of you suggested working before pursuing a degree. My suggestion would be to find programs that have some sort of cooperative education program so that you have an internship for the duration of your graduate studies. This way you can get the best of both worlds. Of course I wouldn't know what employeers would prefer, but it seems like a good option.

Good luck Darling

[Exquisite5]

Originally posted by RedefinedDiva

The only way that I would take the class is ONLY AFTER I have taken the test WITHOUT assistance first. That way you can see a correlation between the two. If you take the class prior to testing, how would you know if you did well by your own merit or not? Even then, i would still be skeptical. If your scores don't go up, you don't get a refund, so what's the point?

Just study on your own, try your best, and pray.

Maybe someone sees differently....

I took the Princeton Review and KNOW it was worth every penny! And the way you know you are improving is you take liek ten LSATs under actual conditions (wake up 9am, go to place, sit in cramped desk, with official timer-man staring you down) during the course of the class. I went from a 153 diagnostic (about 68 pecentile) to a 162 for my final PR test and a 165 on the real thing. I jumped from the 68% to 93%. I would reccomend PR to anyone and I didn't even do ALL of the homework.

The reason taking the practice tests under actual conditions matters is because it makes a HUGE DIFF. I have a friend who studied on her own. She was making 172 consistenly while testing in her house, however when she took the real LSAT, under real condiditons she made a 152 or something like that. Imagine had she taken a class- she could be IVY bound by now.

Also, I advise against the "take it first on my own method" because the LSAT is not like the SAT where highest score counts. Your scores are averaged and its really annoying to jump from a 150 to a 166, but have schools consider your score a 158- that pretty much would knock you out of a Top 25- especially when you EARNED that 166. I have heard that some schools ignore your first score if you gain more than ten points, but the official statement from all schools is still "we average scores"- and its not just the schools- LSDAS averages them on the report they send to the school. Its impossible for them to not see your low score.

I got help paying for PR. I went to my school's Department of Multicultural Services, explained my situation and they paid for half. Then, looking for more money I enter an oratorical competition, won third place and got another 300- bam-800! I only had to come of 200 and believe me, for my future, it was worth it!

Look around, be creative. Schools have money to give!


---Oh also let me add. PR does not offer a refund, but if you do all your homework and your score does not improve TO YOUR SATISFACTION you can take the class again for free. And if you see the class pointless to take, all those LSATs under real conditions are not pointles...ever.

[darling1]

Heads up for those of you interested in grad school or if you know of youth who are interested. Please pass this message on.

The Master of Public Administration Program at East Carolina University has a grant from HUD to include slots for African Americans. They are looking for at least five students. They can be recent graduates (traditional) or individuals who have been out of school for a while (non-traditional), but they need to start this fall. This is a two-year program and all funding is provided.
There is a $9,000 stipend for the students and all tuition and fees are paid. If selected they will be called HUD Fellows. Their classes will be at night because they will work as interns in a Greenville agency during the day. Please help find some graduate students to take advantage of this opportunity.

They can contact Dr. Hudson at the following address to apply.
Linda Nixon Hudson, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of the Graduate School
and Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership
East Carolina University
117-B Ragsdale Hall
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
(252) 328-6012/6013 Main Office
(252) 328-6071 Fax
Email: hudsonli@mail.ecu.edu

[GeekyPenguin]

This is a wonderful thread - I want to get an MPP and a JD. AKA Ave always has good advice!

[ProseChild02]

I am currently in grad school but thinking of changing programs. I'm a very indecisive person. I'm afraid of making a final decision, then 10 yrs down the road realizing that I should have chosen the 'other' choice. So currently I'm back into the research bin as far as what I want to do and what I can do with my career.

My strengths: strong writing skills, strong editing skills, good organization skills, good at working with people, computer proficiency..

weaknesses: not really sure yet, but I think its monotony. Jobs where I'm doing endless clerical duties or anything that is the same, day in day out - that doesn't seem to have a purpose drives me crazy.

I'm so lost! I've researched law, teaching, editing, magazine journalism, you name it, if it has to do with writing I've probably looked at doing that. Reading everyone's grad school plans made me feel even more lost . *sigh

Any suggestions?

[Sugar_N_Spice]

Originally posted by ProseChild02
I am currently in grad school but thinking of changing programs. I'm a very indecisive person. I'm afraid of making a final decision, then 10 yrs down the road realizing that I should have chosen the 'other' choice. So currently I'm back into the research bin as far as what I want to do and what I can do with my career.

My strengths: strong writing skills, strong editing skills, good organization skills, good at working with people, computer proficiency..

weaknesses: not really sure yet, but I think its monotony. Jobs where I'm doing endless clerical duties or anything that is the same, day in day out - that doesn't seem to have a purpose drives me crazy.

I'm so lost! I've researched law, teaching, editing, magazine journalism, you name it, if it has to do with writing I've probably looked at doing that. Reading everyone's grad school plans made me feel even more lost . *sigh

Any suggestions?

I'm still in Undergrad but I can tell you how I decided what I want to study in Grad School...The skills you mentioned are pretty universal and go well with just about any profession, IMO...Ask friends, family, and old teachers to tell you what they think are your strengths (not what you should do). Sometimes we tend to not see our assets and downplay them....My advice is to think about what you have a passion for, and combine that with your skills and assets. Like, do you you a strong love for children (Child Welfare or Public Policy), or helping the community (Urban Planning, Non-Profit Mgmt), or a sincere love for the law? You might also think about taking a class in the area of interest or that is like an introduction to the area of interest (like, take and undergrad course at a local college or JC or get in touch with a professor you know well and ask him or her if you can sit in on a class (instead of auditing it and having to pay money))...Also, talk to your professors and people that are doing what you are interested in possibly doing as your career (say, if you are interested in law, attend some Pre-Law programs at a local univerity, where you can meet some practicing lawyers and JD holders or even see if y0ou can sit in and observe a law course). .They can tell you how monotonous the work is in the arena they work in. Lastly, you should also consider that the area that you choose to study does not determine what career you may end up in...You can do a lot with a JD, or a MPP, or a MSW, MBA, etc.

I hope some of this helps.