Juniors, seniors prepare for grad school exams and applications
Katie Rose McEneely
Issue date: 10/8/09 Section: News
Super senior Chris Scripter knew he wanted to go to graduate school before the end of his sophomore year, and he hasn't wasted any time since.
"I've catered my entire education to getting into graduate school," he said. "I knew I loved history and sophomore year, I decided I wanted to do it for the rest of my life."
Scripter, who took a fifth year so he had more time to prepare his applications, take tests and re-fine his senior thesis into his writing sample, is one of many students preparing for the Graduate Record Exam and life in academia.
Senior Lauren Heilborn said she took the GRE a few weeks before school started, and is now studying for the subject-test in chemistry, which she will take later this month. Both Heilborn and fellow senior Jennette Dekoekkoek plan to pursue doctorates in chemistry.
"In the sciences, it's a bigger deal to go to grad school, because it's more specialized," Heilborn said. "A Ph.D. will give me more options."
When applying to a program in the hard sciences, it's imperative to look at who's teaching at a university, and what they specialize in, Dekoekkoek said
"You have to see if you're interested in their research, if you're compatible," she said.
Additionally, both women said there is more funding for those pursing a doctorate in chemistry, as opposed to a master's degree.
Senior James Wegmann said his interest in law and public policy made him aware that he wanted to take his education further; short on time, he chose to concentrate his studies on the Law School Admission Test, though he will take the GRE as well.
"It was sort of like, 'Holy crap, what am I gonna do with my life now? Probably should take a test,'" Wegmann said jokingly.
Wegmann said he's focusing on law instead of a degree in political history because the funding for humanities doctorates is much more competitive.
"Law school appreciates in value," he said. "Society pays a lot for lawyers, which is reassuring when you're looking at $45,000 a year for three years."
"I've catered my entire education to getting into graduate school," he said. "I knew I loved history and sophomore year, I decided I wanted to do it for the rest of my life."
Scripter, who took a fifth year so he had more time to prepare his applications, take tests and re-fine his senior thesis into his writing sample, is one of many students preparing for the Graduate Record Exam and life in academia.
Senior Lauren Heilborn said she took the GRE a few weeks before school started, and is now studying for the subject-test in chemistry, which she will take later this month. Both Heilborn and fellow senior Jennette Dekoekkoek plan to pursue doctorates in chemistry.
"In the sciences, it's a bigger deal to go to grad school, because it's more specialized," Heilborn said. "A Ph.D. will give me more options."
When applying to a program in the hard sciences, it's imperative to look at who's teaching at a university, and what they specialize in, Dekoekkoek said
"You have to see if you're interested in their research, if you're compatible," she said.
Additionally, both women said there is more funding for those pursing a doctorate in chemistry, as opposed to a master's degree.
Senior James Wegmann said his interest in law and public policy made him aware that he wanted to take his education further; short on time, he chose to concentrate his studies on the Law School Admission Test, though he will take the GRE as well.
"It was sort of like, 'Holy crap, what am I gonna do with my life now? Probably should take a test,'" Wegmann said jokingly.
Wegmann said he's focusing on law instead of a degree in political history because the funding for humanities doctorates is much more competitive.
"Law school appreciates in value," he said. "Society pays a lot for lawyers, which is reassuring when you're looking at $45,000 a year for three years."
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