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For Cal ParentsGoing to Graduate SchoolMyth vs. RealityMyth: Graduate and professional schools are looking for specific majors from their applicants. For example, it is commonly believed that certain majors are better than others for applying to law school, and that a science major is best if one is applying to medical school. Reality: Graduate programs vary in their requirements for application, but those with academic prerequisites usually require specific coursework, not entire majors. Sometimes the coursework will have been completed at a student’s undergraduate institution, but it may also be possible to complete prerequisites at another four-year institution, at a community college, or through a special post-baccalaureate program. With regard to law school, there is no officially recommended pre-law major here at Cal and law schools do not require or prefer any particular major; they look for a well-rounded undergraduate educational background that sharpens analytical reasoning and writing skills. It is recommended that a student choose a major that reflects her own interests, skills, and abilities. Since GPA is a major factor in law school admission, a student should choose a major that she enjoys. It stands to reason that the more she enjoys her major, the better she will perform in terms of grades. Medical schools do not favor any particular major; pre-med students can major in any discipline, science or non-science. Medical schools do require that students take a series of prerequisite courses before admittance, but those who pursue a non-science major can take the basic pre-med courses as electives or through a post-baccalaureate program. Most people pursuing an MBA have a bachelor’s degree in any of a number of non-business areas, like the humanities, social sciences, engineering, and sciences. Most graduate management programs want their MBA classes to be as diverse as possible. When students come from different academic disciplines, all may contribute and all benefit. For this reason, applicants with a wide range of undergraduate majors are admitted. In some programs, fewer than 25 percent of the MBA students have undergraduate degrees in business. Common QuestionsWhat are the success rates for Cal grads going on to graduate and professional school? Law School Admissions Statistics Medical School Admissions Statistics Whereas medical and law school applicants must apply through centralized application services, there is no centralized body that collects statistics regarding success rates for Cal students applying to graduate school. However, the What Can I Do with a Major in...? section of our website, which profiles 78 Cal majors, includes information about graduate school choices past students have made. Also, the Class of 2002-2006 Career Destinations Surveys and more specifically, the section summarizing graduate and professional degrees sought provide additional information; for example, 22% percent of 2006 graduates matriculated to graduate school (similar numbers did so in previous years surveyed). How important are graduate school rankings? While there are rankings in publications and websites like US News, you will want to look at them with some skepticism. The national research council ranks departments every ten years. That is usually considered a good rating system. Faculty is the best source of reliable, up-to-date information about the relative strengths of different graduate programs - especially when it comes to their specific fields. Some departments are good in one area, but not others. Different parties’ opinions may not match. Prospective applicants should go to a given department's website and email departments of interest, and even specific faculty, to acquire the kind of information necessary to determine a good fit. Visiting may help. A lot of variables factor into the decision about which program suits a person best. Is it better to go straight from college to graduate or professional school or to take "time off" in between? Some students (and their parents) worry that they will lose time and momentum if they do not go directly to graduate school. In general, given the time and energy commitment required for graduate or professional school - and the stress it can produce - it is best for students to continue with their education when they are ready, both emotionally and intellectually. Also, rather than frowning upon the idea of taking time between undergraduate and further education, many graduate and professional schools like to see students work or get other meaningful experience before enrolling in their programs. How do students pay for graduate and professional school training? Most graduate students finance their education through funding sources such as fellowships, assistantships, grants, and/or loans. Please see Career Center Resources below for a link to more detailed information. Career Center Resources
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