Ahem. Guess who’s back?

Things have been quiet around here for awhile. I took a hiatus – a pretty long one. As life would happen, around the same time that I started this website, I was making major moves and transitions off-line as well.

I started a position as a college professor. I jumped feet-first into a whirlwind of course development, lecture preparation, paper grading, office hours, and committee work. Summers were optional, they said. Um, let me tell you, not when you’ve got student loans!

As the new kid on the block, er, department, I made myself indispensable. I workshopped and conferenced my way to professional development glory. I went above and beyond to earn the coveted award of tenure at the college. And tenure, I did earn.

I’ve taught dozens of courses and literally thousands of students. I’ve gained experience in traditional and online classes. I’ve earned glowing teaching reviews. (Ahem, check my track record. Or maybe you already have).

In my spare time, Inner Evil Kermit propelled to me binge-watch entire Netflix series, but I shut him up when he said that my hiatus was so long that I needn’t bother coming back.

Leveling Up

I’m sorry to inform Inner Evil Kermit, but I have even more to offer grad school seekers today. I’ve taught and advised thousands more students. I’ve personally seen several off to grad school and prosper. I’ve leveled up in my career, and I’m leveraging that expertise to bring even more insight and excellence to this corner of the Web.

Earlier this year, I also elected to go back to school (yes, you read that right) and pursue professional certification in admissions consulting. I’m knee deep in readings and homework assignments with the goal of giving clients an even more valuable experience.

I’m also working diligently behind the scenes to retool this website and services that I offer (coming soon). I have so much in store for the future of Your Grad School Coach and cannot wait to share it with you!

I have availability to see coaching clients on a limited basis until the grand relaunch later this year. If you’d like to inquire about services, or reach out with a question, you can do so on my brand-new contact page.

There are a myriad of choices to be made once you’ve finally committed to continuing your higher education. Now that you’ve decided “I will,” where should you go? Is a traditional or online grad program the best one for you?

Making a Distinction

At least for the purposes of this post, I’m defining traditional graduate programs as those offered through brick-and-mortar institutions. Most traditional graduate schools have been in existence for decades, if not hundreds of years, require that you take classes on-campus in a traditional classroom environment, and should have proper higher education accreditation.

Online graduate programs don’t require that you step foot on campus. Getting your graduate education on is as simple as logging into your computer. There are several “traditional” universities that offer online extensions of their programs to cater to the preferences of their students (also called “distance learning programs”).

And then there are online graduate programs that do not operate as an off-shoot of brick-and-mortar institutions. The university is online. Many of these types of programs are delivered through for-profit institutions of higher education.

Traditional Grad Programs: The Pros

• Graduate education doesn’t exactly come cheap, but for many, going the traditional route is the least expensive option.

This is mostly the case when compared to online programs. There’s a price to pay for convenience.

• One-on-one interaction with classmates and professors

Obviously, you get to interact with your classmates and professors online, but dare I say, there’s nothing like face-to-face communication and social networking. You may not think this matters much at first, but if you’re looking to snag a job or start a new career path, those connections that you solidify could mean everything.

• Hands-on experiential component

I’ve said this countless times – grad school isn’t just about the grades. Many courses of study require some type of hands-on experience, whether it’s an internship or practicum, and heck, even just research or teaching experience. This may be hard to come by (and what gives you an extra advantage in the job market) through online programs.

Traditional Grad Programs: The Cons

• If you have a spouse, kids, and are mid-stream in your career, you already know how difficult it can be to add yet another activity to your already-busy schedule. You need a grad program that will easily fit into your lifestyle constraints and going to class on campus several times per week may be the biggest con you’ll face with traditional programs.

Online Grad Programs: The Pros

• Flexibility.

Being able to complete coursework with 24/7 hour access is, of course, one of the biggest draws to online programs. (Although, this may not exactly be true – there are often instructor-set deadlines that must be met).

• Self-paced.

Some online programs also offer self-paced programs. You start and finish it as you please because there are no specific program lengths. You complete your program by “competency,” testing out of certain courses, and if so motivated, can complete an entire “course” in several weeks rather than your standard four-month semester, thereby shaving months or even years off of time required to receive your degree.

Online Grad Programs: The Cons

• Expensive, expensive, expensive.

Convenience comes at a price and you will pay it through online programs, especially those offered through for-profit institutions.

• Self-paced.

This huge degree of flexibility may be a “con” by another name. Getting a graduate degree in record time may seem like a good idea in theory, but if you’re the type of student that needs set structure, defined deadlines, and a semester-by-semester course of study to keep forward momentum, this is probably not a great option for you.

• Lowered prestige.

Many online grad programs have faced criticism as “degree mills.” Shopping around, there are several programs with little to no admissions requirements. If you apply, have a bachelor’s degree, and are eligible for financial aid, you’re in! Although the idea of “avoiding rejection,” not writing admissions essays or taking entrance exams may seem like a win, getting into grad school “the easy way” may end up being a big fat negative at the end of the day, because of a lingering stigma toward many of these programs which may affect your career options later down the road.

Which Type of Program Is Best?

I’ll be honest and say that when determining “best,” there are many factors to consider, and it’s difficult to break it down into a single “quick-and-dirty” post. When it comes to graduate education, all programs are not created equal. Traditional programs vary in quality of education, bang for the buck, and professional prestige just like online programs. And certainly, when it comes to going to grad school, you have to determine what works best for you and your particular lifestyle, situation, and learning preferences.

Are there any more pros and cons that you can think of for going the traditional route to grad school? Online programs?

Just a few days ago, I posed a question to the Your Grad School Coach Facebook page (if you’re not connected, you can do so here):

“If you had ONE question about graduate school, what would it be?”

Shout out to YGSC fan Brooke for posing the following question: “Is it really that hard to get into grad school? Should I be as worried as I am? I worried a lot for undergrad and it wasn’t even that big of a deal.”

Wouldn’t it be some kind of crazy to get all worked up about getting accepted to graduate school – only to find out that you were making a big deal out of nothing? Just how hard is it to get into grad school?

Competitive Is The Name of the Game

Getting into grad school is typically not so much “hard” as it is competitive. There are only a certain number of seats available for each incoming class. The amount of available seats can be surprisingly small, depending on the field. Imagine hundreds of applicants competing for 3 or 4 seats. It happens.

Also, as the years go by, more people are opting to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree. The end result? There are more applicants in competition for admission than ever. It also means that graduate programs can choose to admit only the “cream of the crop.”

Another general corollary? The higher the graduate program’s ranking, the more applicants you can expect to compete with. Acceptance rates can be very low. Like single-digit percentage acceptance rates.

Whether all of these applicants are a good fit is a completely different story. Spending a ton of time applying to a graduate program that is not a good fit… Well, isn’t a very good idea, and few are rewarded with acceptance letters.

Competitive But Far From Impossible

Generally speaking, if you’re applying to a traditional graduate program at a non-profit institution, you can expect this information to ring true, regardless of the field.

Many fret about getting into grad school… for good reason! The odds of receiving an acceptance letter can be far lower than getting into an undergraduate program. But there’s no need to worry yourself sick. Instead, get proactive. Find out how a grad school coach can help (ahem, me!).

One last caveat: Nontraditional graduate programs are a different deal completely, which I will discuss in my next blog. Stay tuned.

This may come as a surprise, but my professional advice to many has been: “You SAY you want a Ph.D., but you REALLY DON’T.”

Nine times out of ten, my advice has absolutely nothing to do with their aptitude, qualifications, or level of motivation.

Let Me Tell You A Story

A young lady that I met recently expressed sincere awe that I was so young and accomplished vis a vis my doctorate degree. She was enthralled, inspired, wanted to seek out graduate programs to apply to as soon as she got home. At some point during this spiel is when I typically interject into the “how great it is to have a Ph.D. monologue.”

“How do you feel about science and research?” I simply asked.

Well…. long story short, she wasn’t into research, and had no idea that a significant chunk of life during doctoral study included pouring over academic journals, high volume reading, conducting research, learning the ins and outs of statistical techniques, presenting research, and then writing up findings to be published in an academic journal. Rinse and repeat.

I watched her face turn green, and kindly advised that a Ph.D. was not the right career path for her. When she did discuss her career goals, she was infinitely turned on by the softer side of psychology, practicing therapeutic work with clients. A masters degree, emphasizing applied work, was more up her alley, and to look into mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, or even a masters in social work as a better fit for her career goals.

Prestige-Seekers Need Not Apply

Prestige. Boosting credibility. These are commonly expressed, and in-and-of-itself, really BAD REASONS to pursue a Ph.D., especially on your own dime.

Yet another friend of mine expressed an idea that having a title behind their name would boost their credibility in their chosen field. She was interested in relationship counseling and sex therapy, and yes, while a “title” may help sell books, it won’t help you actually enjoy the hours of research you’re about to embark on. Anything that feels like absolutely drudgery in pursuit of a degree is probably a clear indication that you’re on the wrong path.

Instead, what this doctor ordered is the winning combination of a masters degree, years of proven practice work experience, and a reputation that speaks for itself in your goal to get your philosophy and approach out to the masses.

The specific examples above apply squarely to the field of psychology. However, there is a larger point here. No matter what discipline you are currently interested in, a common thread among most academic Ph.D. programs is research. And research simply does not float everyone’s boat. And it’s OK.

Let me tell you – most graduate admissions committees do their fair share of work to head off the prestige-seekers at the pass (personal statement essay, anyone?). It’s not because they’re trying to prevent you from exercising your unalienable right to earn a Ph.D. You’re just not the BEST FIT candidate. At some point during your grad school education, you’ll probably come to the same realization.

Bottom line: If you’re not of the research-y, data- or evidence-driven, and slightly geeky persuasion, then you really do not want a Ph.D.

Eeeeek! How’s that for a scary admission of guilt?

Oh…. you don’t say? You have the same problem?

Procrastination Defined

Procrastination is the art of replacing high-priority tasks with frequently more enjoyable low-priority tasks. You put the high priority task off until later… and later…. and later….

Then the dreaded procrastination guilt cycle kicks in. And you push the guilt aside and promise to get back to the “I should have done it already” task to an even later undisclosed time and date.

‘Fessing Up

Some say confession is good for the soul. Well, I’m a Procrastinator in Recovery, which means that I’m back, blogging about the ins and outs, ups and downs, and the good, bad, and ugly of taking the leap of faith to apply to graduate school in the first place.

I wasn’t the perfect applicant. After all, I still have my procrastination issues, but the good news is that I made it in, through, and out to the other side. Now I’m back here to help you do the same.

A Question for You

I’ve got quite a few subscribers who are hungry to get their questions answered. I’d like to hear from you!

Send me your MOST PRESSING question about applying to grad school. I’m responding to each and every last request. Email me at drkhia@yourgradschoolcoach.com.

Learn what sophisticated GMAC research reveals about last-minute time-crunch strategies on the GMAT.

It’s All About Timing

Of course, learning to solve problems under time pressure is an important part of preparing for the GMAT.  Of course, you should do everything you can do to maximize your ability to perform at the highest level on as many questions as possible.  Of course, that’s what any responsible person preparing for the GMAT will strive to do.

All true, but as our friend Robert Burns (1759 – 1796) reminds us, the best laid plans of mice and men go oft astray.  As well as you prepare, as diligently as you practice, you may find yourself at the end of a section on a real GMAT running out of time. What should you do? Guess randomly or omit the question?

Guessing vs. Solution Behavior

First, I need to clarify what I mean by “guessing.”  By “guessing”, or “random guessing”, I mean you have no earthly clue which of the five answer choices is right.  The right answer could equally be any of the five as far as you are concerned.  This would most often occur if you are doing rapid guessing in the last few seconds of a session — answering, say that last 5 question in the last 10-15 seconds, for example (we’ll talk about the wisdom of that below.)  Conceivably, a question could occur in the middle of the test which utterly befuddles you, but given that you have been preparing diligently for the GMAT, the likelihood of something so arcane as to stymie you completely is remote at best.

If you study the question, and can eliminate some answers, but don’t know which of the remaining answers is right, this is called “solution behavior“. On average, solution behavior will benefit you. It is always, 100% of the time, much better than either random guessing or omitting.  If you have any clue about a question, and can narrow the answers down to three or two choices, then guess from among those and move on.  NEVER leave such a question blank. I cannot underscore that enough.

On the Verbal Section: Omit (AKA Skip)!

GMAC, those folks that design the GMAT, did a study in 2009 trying to answer the question about guessing or omitting in the final moments of the test.  They looked at patterns in tens of thousands of GMATs, and culled through the data.  You can read the whole paper at the link below, but I really summarize everything you need in this blog article.

It turns out, on the verbal section, it appears there is no substantial difference between guessing on the last few question or omitting them.  Your score will be, on average, the same regardless of which way you choose.  This is invaluable information, because it implies undoubtedly the best strategy to use in that situation.  I quote the GMAT gurus in the article: “If an examinee found herself with only a minute remaining to answer the last four items of the verbal section, it would be to her benefit to spend time trying to answer at least one of the remaining questions with thought while feeling confident that leaving the remaining items blank would not affect the score much differently than random responding” (p. 12).  Thus, when running out of time on the Verbal section of the GMAT, your focus should be: remain calm, and simply do your best working thoroughly with each question one at a time, even if that means there are two or three questions you simply don’t see.    That’s the univocal strategy for the precious last minutes on the GMAT Verbal section.

On the Quantitative Section: Know Thyself!

The data from test takers is far more nuanced on the quantitative section.  Here, the advice varies widely, depending on your abilities.  I will assume you have at least a rough idea about whether you are a top scoring math student or someone who really struggles with math.

For folks who struggle with math, who are anticipating a relatively low grade on math (i.e. below 25), it turns out that, as in the verbal section, it is advantageous to omit questions. If you don’t know, simply leave the question blank instead of randomly guessing.  Again, if you have enough insight to eliminate even one answer choice, that’s no longer guessing but rather solution behavior, and you should guess from the remaining answers.  But if you truly have no clue, and especially if you are running out time, plan to omit questions, and do you best with the ones which you can either solve or apply solution behavior.

For folks at the other end of the spectrum, folks very talented in the quantitative section and shooting for one of the highest scores, the advice is the polar opposite: omitting a question is one of the worst things you can do.  If you are that caliber of math student, probably few GMAT PS or DS questions will outright stump you, but if you don’t work quickly, running out of time might be a problem. If worst comes to worst, and you have less than a minute to do the last handful of questions, you will be much better served by randomly guessing than leaving anything blank.

What about the many folks in between, folks headed for a decent score on GMAT Quantitative, but not planning to blow the doors off?  Well, if you’re really good at math, omitting answers hurts you a lot.  If you medium at math, omitting answers hurts you a little. Basically, you are better off answering every question, even if that means random guessing in a last mad dash at the end.

Summary

Those are the most sophisticated data-driven recommendations on GMAT guessing strategies available. Of course, if at any point you can practice solution behavior — that is, you can intelligently eliminate some answer choices and after that get stuck — then you should always guess from the remaining choices and never leave such a question blank.  And, of course, the more you practice against the clock, and practice a wide variety of GMAT questions, the less the dilemma of a last-minute crunch will be your problem at all.

Work Cited:

Talento-Miller, Eileen and Ranimn Guo. Guess What? Score Differences with Rapid Replies versus Omissions on a Computerized Adaptive Test.  GMAC Research Reports, RR-09-04, February 1, 2009.

Original paper available at: http://www.gmac.com/NR/rdonlyres/14987E08-3220-4D52-BDC3-D5EB12EAA7AC/0/RR0904_GuessWhat.pdf

This post was written by Mike McGarry, GMAT expert at Magoosh, and originally posted here.

It is a rude awakening to be hit smack dab in the face with the realization that a lot of people just don’t understand much about higher education beyond signing up and paying for classes. This is what happened to me this week.

I’m a college professor in addition to a grad school coach. Every semester I see over one hundred students in my courses. I teach mostly introductory courses – those filled with first and second year students. These are students who are still deciding what they want to do with their life, who may change their major once or twice or three or four times before they settle on a career path, and those have not a single solitary soul who has ever been to college in their family.

Misinformation, Misrepresentation, and Assumptions

I come face to face with a lot of misinformation and assumptions that unwittingly lead people astray in their pursuit of higher education. Most of my students are on the road to earning an associates degree. Many students have aspirations to move beyond, some even expressing interest in a masters or Ph.D., and there are tons of questions on how to get from HERE to THERE in less time, less money, and with the least confusion. Without a reliable source of information, students are left to draw their own conclusions (some of them incorrect) about college and life after college, especially their careers.

Here are just a few of the assumptions that I’ve encountered throughout the academic year:

• If I stay here and finish my A.A. rather than transferring to a 4-year-college now, I’ll be setting myself back

What I explained to this student is that an associates degree covers the general educational course requirements that you would have to take on the road to earning a bachelors degree. Regardless of WHEN you transfer, it will typically take the same 4 years to earn a bachelors degree. (Unless there are other setbacks like changing majors or taking a semester off, of course).

Where this student went wrong was, in her mind, she was going to have to do 2 year for an associates at the community college level and then another 4 years at a 4-year institution for a bachelors degree. Not so.

• I don’t know how I will be able to pay back $100K in student loans as a teacher when I will barely make enough to pay my bills

It is an excellent idea to look to the future and determine how you’re going to pay back your educational expenses, you don’t ALWAYS have to assume the entire costs.

Although what exists today may very well be an anachronism tomorrow, for now, loan forgiveness programs exist for K-12 teachers! Barring any major legislative or policy changes, working in public service, such as being a teacher means that you are eligible to have the government pay back your student loans after working in the field for a specified number of years.

Might I also mention that graduate degree recipients who go into public service are also eligible for loan repayment programs? The National Institute of Health, for example, offers a loan repayment program for researchers in the medical field.

• I have to get a masters degree then spend another 5 years working on a Ph.D.

Not necessarily. If your academic resume is just that good enough and admissions committees agree, you can go straight from undergrad directly into a Ph.D. program. This is why there are some 25 year old Ph.D.s out there. They really do exist – I’ve met a few in my lifetime!

So the moral of the story is… don’t ASSUME that you have to complete a masters degree then apply for admission to a doctoral program.

From Assumptions To Solid Information

As serious as education is (and its overall impact on your life), it is a smart idea to make sure that your assumptions aren’t costing you! Discuss your career goals with someone who has once stood in your shoes. Bring a notebook. Write down whatever information they might be able to share with you. Take note of their advice and follow through.

Expert advice pays off exponentially

Sound off – Who do you/would you turn to for expert advice on your plans after college?

One of the best perks of being a grad school coach is having friends in high places. I’m saying this in a tongue-in-cheek manner, by the way. But forserious (not a real word), the wonderful wonderful people at Magoosh have come up with a resource that I think you all need to hear about.

Magoosh Test Prep brings expert GRE and GMAT test preparation advice right here for YGSC readers, but their entire mission is to do test prep the 21st century way – online! You can read more of where I’ve sang their praises before on this blog. They really do know their stuff!

The GRE has changed so many times since I took it way back when that it’s hard to keep up. Unless you’re Magoosh because keeping up with the GRE is what they do. So they have created this TOTALLY FREE ebook to keep you abreast of all of the changes and how you can score high on the newly Revised GRE.

GRE eBook: A Complete Guide to the Revised GRE

Just a quick sampling of the information you can expect to find with this PDF:

• An introduction to the Revised GRE format
• Overviews of each section (Quantitative, Verbal, Writing)
• Recommended strategies, practice questions, and explanations for commonly tested concepts and question types
• Links to all of our study plans
• Suggested resources

Do yourself a favor and read the ebook, pass on a copy to your friends, and click the link above to let Magoosh know your suggestions on what information YOU need to know to ace the GREs.

Head on over to the Magoosh GRE blog today to get your copy!

Here are more tips from the Magoosh test preparation experts on scoring high on the GRE exam!

The solution to many GRE Text Completion questions lies in the following approach: identify the keywords, come up with your own word for the blank(s), and match with the answer choice. Yet this strategy won’t always be successful. Sometimes we need to work backwards from the answer choices to see if we can create a sentence with a coherent meaning.

Below is a sentence that you may very well be able to solve the traditional method. Indeed, you should attack every Text Completion by first trying to come up with your own words. However, if you are stymied and are not able to come up with words—or are unsure that your words are even the correct ones—then plug in both answer choices and see if they create a sentence that makes sense.

Apply the Strategy

Were scientific advancement simply a question of the mere accumulation of facts then we have made (1) ______ progress over the last two centuries; however, it is not sheer data alone but rather a scientist’s ability to interpret this information that accounts for the (2) ______ breakthroughs of the last couple hundred years.

Explanation

One way to make this Text Completion easier is by noting that the first blank is either little (as in little progress) or big (as in major progress). The second blank is the exact same. Breakthroughs can either be small or big.

Next, determine whether the blanks are the same (e.g., little…small) or opposite (e.g., major…small).

For the first blank, you probably know the definition to (B) scant and (C) evident. Do not be thrown off by (A) inimitable. For now discount it. Only if neither (B) nor (C) works should you return to (A).

Let’s assume that science has made scant progress (little progress). If that were the case, what word would fit in the second blank? You may be tempted to say ‘big’ because of the word ‘however,’ which reverses the direction of the sentence. However, the keywords, it is not sheer data alone, show that accumulated facts and scientist’s ability together create a certain type of breakthrough. Thus the two blanks are similar.

But does it make sense to assume that we have made little progress, and small breakthroughs? Notice keywords such as scientist’s ability to interpret. Clearly there is a positive connotation. That is scientists have helped science progress through their ability to interpret, not just to collect facts.

Plugging in (C) evident and (E) momentous we can see the sentence makes sense: if facts alone counted for progress then we have made obvious progress. However, momentous breakthroughs require not just facts but scientists’ ability to interpret information.

It is important to note that you should not automatically assume that the second blank is momentous. True, this is a reasonable assumption, as most would agree that science has come a long way since Darwin set sail on the Beagle. For the Text Completion, however, you must base your answer solely on the information in the Text Completion. Oftentimes, your “reasonable” assumption may backfire. That is there will be specific words in the sentence that go against your assumption. So remember—the answer to any blank will always be in the sentence.

About the Author

This post was written by Chris Lele, GRE Expert at Magoosh, and originally posted here.

There’s this really cheesy R&B song from the early ’90s that goes “I wanna be rich, ba ba ba-ba-ba-da-ba.” It was a pretty big hit at the time. The melody and hook runs through my head every time I daydream about untold riches.

Tonight, I started reading Ramit Sethi’s book “I Will Teach You To Be Rich,” of which there is a highly successful blog that is its namesake. In the very first chapter, “Would You Rather Be Sexy or Rich,” he references the average college student’s dreams of being a millionaire by 40 years old. He doesn’t mention it explicitly but I imagine that for many of these college students, their imagined path to wealth involves a trek through grad school, which begs the question:

Will Going To Grad School Ultimately Make You Rich?

Several months ago, I spent several hours of a Saturday in June hunting down trustworthy figures on lifetime earning potential based on education level. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, a grad school education does pay off in several ways – lower unemployment rates and higher lifetime earnings, on average.

I’m not talking about chump change when I’m talking higher lifetime earnings. The current figures predict anywhere from earning $400,000 more with a masters degree to over $2 million more with a professional degree, such as an MBA or J.D. Even in fields like psychology (I’m not just a grad school coach, I’m also a psychologist!), which is by no stretch of the imagination a “highly paid field,” earning a graduate degree can most certainly mean a significant boost in salary.

Higher education still typically means higher lifetime earnings, even after factoring in the early years of your career. If you’re smart, you will dedicate those years to paying back educational debt, starting over with a clean financial slate, and stacking aside cash in interest-bearing accounts to fund your future.

Money is definitely a major motivator. No one is going to turn down more money in exchange for the work that you do (at least, most of us won’t). But stop for a minute to consider whether your original expectations of rolling in dough are realistic.

So Will It Make Me Rich or What?

I’m sorry to burst bubbles all across the ‘net but if you have Bill Gates dreams of untold riches, you better have the blueprint for the next Microsoft in your back pocket. And frankly, if “getting money” is your sole motivation for continuing with your education, then you ought NOT to go. Simple as that. There are, like, a billion ways out here to augment your salary, so go the route where you have the passion to truly create your own success story.

The real honest truth is that going to grad school will NOT automatically catapult you into the top 1% of earners in America. Making the decision to go into grad school with dollar signs in your eyes is a losing strategy. Going into grad school with the realistic expectation of doing work that you care about and have a passion for will make you “rich” by another currency – self-fulfillment and not spending the next 30 years counting down the days until Friday.