If you’re an undergraduate thinking about going to graduate school, listen up.
Hillary Fox, 22, a senior geography major from Charlotte, has been preparing to apply to graduate school since spring 2011.
This months-long journey will finally end for her around Thanksgiving, as she will submit her applications to both the UNC Graduate School of Geography and the UNC Graduate School of Information and Library Science.
As she reflected on the process, Fox had some advice for undergraduates thinking about graduate school and how to make the application process smoother and less stressful.
Before getting to the application process, it’s important to decide if graduate school is right for you, she said.
“And honestly, because of the economy,” she said, “all majors should think about graduate school.”
“And honestly, because of the economy,” she said, “all majors should think about graduate school.”
Fox pointed out that students who come out of graduate school with a Ph.D. or a master’s degree have a comparative advantage over students who have only a bachelor’s degree. This could lead to higher pay and better job opportunities.
Fox said she’s going to graduate school specifically for the research opportunities.
“As an undergraduate,” she said, “there were a lot of research and topics I wasn’t allowed to explore.”
She hopes that graduate school will give her these opportunities.
“As an undergraduate,” she said, “there were a lot of research and topics I wasn’t allowed to explore.”
She hopes that graduate school will give her these opportunities.
When a student does decide to try to go to graduate school, it’s important to think about things early, Fox said.
“Deadlines tend to sneak up on you,” she said.
“Deadlines tend to sneak up on you,” she said.
During a student’s junior year, Fox advised that students get involved with their chosen department.
Professor Nina Martin, Fox's mentor, agreed. “It really makes a difference when we [professors] can put a face to a name."
Fox suggested finding a research project to help with, starting one of your own, becoming a peer advisor or joining the undergraduate committee for your department.
Fox also stressed the importance of “getting closer to people you already know” to set up a network and of maintaining relationships with professors who can help you with research in graduate school.
The summer before a student’s senior year, Fox advised that students study for and take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).
Essentially an SAT for graduate school, Fox stressed the importance of studying and trying to do well on this test. And getting it done before a student’s senior year ensures they have the maximum amount of time to devote to their studies, she said.
The next step is to start asking people for letters of recommendation, Fox said. She suggested that students make a resume of anything that might help someone write them a letter, including achievements and academic records.
The most important thing students can do is be informed, Fox said.
“I have a lot of friends,” she said, “who have no idea who to talk to or where to start.”
“I have a lot of friends,” she said, “who have no idea who to talk to or where to start.”
Being an undergraduate senior can be an awkward time, Fox said. Students are “winding down everything for one part of their life and moving on to another.”
For some people, this means relaxing and having the time of their life. For others, it means stepping up their academics, Fox said.
Even though the path to graduation wasn’t the easiest, Fox said, she feels she has taken full advantage of what UNC has to offer.
When asked what she wished she had done differently, Fox simply said, “Nothing.”
When asked what she wished she had done differently, Fox simply said, “Nothing.”
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