Staff in the Liberal Arts in Practice Center are available to assist students in identifying and applying for a number of post-graduate opportunities.  Below is additional information and resources as you look to your time beyond Beloit.  

Graduate School
Law School
Health Professions
Entrance Exams
Year of Service
Honors Term
Graduate Fellowships and Scholarships

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Deciding to Attend
Graduate school study requires a significant investment of time, energy, and money.  It is important to be sure your goals and the purpose of graduate education match. For some careers, a graduate degree is critical, while for others it may not factor as strongly in advancement. Graduate school is not the place for you if you simply cannot decide what else to do with your life. There should be some purpose. Education for its own sake is a valid reason, but delaying inevitable decisions about your future is not. The decision to attend graduate school, therefore, is one that should be thoughtfully considered.  As you are weighing your options, here are some questions to reflect upon.

• Do I really love the field enough to obtain an advanced degree?
• Is an advanced degree required to enter a particular profession?
• Will graduate school affect my career or professional plans?
• Will a master’s be enough or do I need a doctorate?
• Will a degree enhance or narrow my employment prospects?
• Am I prepared to enter a rigorous academic program immediately following graduation, or do I need to take some time off?
• Would I benefit by gaining some practical experience before pursuing graduate school?
• Do I want to go to school full-time or part-time?
• Do I have the personal qualities and skills that are needed to be successful in graduate school?
• How will I finance it?

Once you have decided to pursue graduate study, this suggested timeline can help you plan and manage the various aspects of the application process.   We also have advice on securing letters of recommendation and crafting your personal statement. 

Researching Programs
Use your network!  Talk with faculty, recent Beloit graduates, and others engaged in your field for suggestions on appropriate programs.

Online Resources

Gradschools.com
Graduate Guide
National Association of Graduate and Professional Students
Peterson's Guides
The Princeton Review
US News and World Report Rankings

Factors to consider when evaluating graduate programs

• Admission requirements: What are the admissions requirements, and how competitive is the process?
• Curriculum: Do the required and elective coursework meet your professional goals?  Is there an assistantship/practicum requirement?  Is your culminating work a thesis or comprehensive exam? 
• Reputation and quality of the program: How is the program regarded within the field?  What is the reputation of the faculty? 
• Outcomes: Do students who enroll in the program graduate?  In how many years?  Where do graduates "land" after completing the program? 
• Location: If you are exploring state institutions, find out if there are any residency requirements before you can receive in-state tuition.  It is also important to take personal preferences into consideration: an urban vs. rural environment, proximity to friends and family, and the kinds of activities in which you would like to participate outside your program. 
• Cost: Be sure to get complete information on the full cost of the program, including fees.  It is also helpful to know what financial assistance will be available to you, including aid, assistantships, and fellowships. 

LAW SCHOOL
Beloit provides special advising to students interested in law school to assist in developing appropriate curricular choices and to maximize their chances for successful entrance into law school.

The College deliberately does not have a single 'pre-law' major in order to allow flexibility in meeting individual needs. The College has a pre-law advisor to help students design the best academic program for their interests and acquire the skills needed for successfully taking the Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT) and applying to law school. Election of a legal studies minor or any of the courses associated with it may also aid pre-law students in contemplating a law-related career.

For more information, contact professors Matthew Tedesco, Charles Westerberg, or Lawrence White.

The Credential Assembly Service
The Law School Admission Council’s (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service (CAS) simplifies the admission process for law school applicants. You just have to make sure that all of your undergraduate, graduate, professional, and law school transcripts; letters of recommendation; and evaluations are sent once to LSAC.  They then summarize your undergraduate work and combine all of your documents with your LSAT score and writing sample to create a report that is sent to the law schools to which you apply. Most applicants use the electronic applications included as part of CAS to apply to law schools. (Individual law school application fees are not included as part of CAS.) When law schools receive your completed application, they will request your law school report from LSAC.

American Bar Association-approved law schools and many other law schools require the use of CAS for JD applicants.  For more information on the process, visit www.lsac.org. 

HEALTH PROFESSIONS
A student preparing for a career in the health professions must simultaneously fulfill the general requirements for graduation from Beloit College and for a field of concentration (a “major”). Most pre-medical and pre-dental students major in biology, biochemistry, or chemistry, although it is possible, with careful planning, to complete the pre-medical requirements and major in a discipline outside the sciences. Students who prepare for a nursing degree after completing a liberal arts degree choose majors in the sciences, social sciences, or an interdisciplinary major.

The Beloit College Health Professions Advisory Committee is responsible for the advising of students considering graduate training leading to the degrees of B.S.N., D.O., D.P.H., D.S.W., D.V.M., M.A., M.D., M.S.N., M.P.H., M.S.W., P.A., Ph.D., Pharm.D., and P.T. The requirements for various professional schools differ, and a student may wish to consult the online catalogs of programs from his/her home state or programs that fit the students’ particular area of interest.

The Health Professions Advisory Committee advisors will work with interested students and their advisors to develop schedules that include these courses, study abroad, and the required standardized testing. Each student should meet with a health professions advisor during his/her first semester at Beloit College to develop a four-year plan.

ENTRANCE EXAMS 
Links to the various entrance exams for graduate and professional school are listed below.  Additional assistance in preparing for these exams is available the the Learning Enrichment and Disability Services office.

General Exams
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

This is the most common required entrance exam for graduate programs. It is a general entrance exam that is similar to the ACT or SAT that you may have taken for your undergraduate application to college.  Madison is the closest test location to Beloit.

Field-Specific Exams
GRE Subject Tests

These are supplements to the general GRE, taken separately from the general exam (graduate programs may require you to take both the general and a subject GRE to be considered) .There are GRE subject tests offered in the following disciplines: biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology; biology; chemistry; computer science; literature in English; mathematics; physics; and psychology. 

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT)
Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
Dental Admission Testing  (DAT) Program

For International Students

Test for Spoken English (TSE)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

YEAR OF SERVICE
There are many opportunities to engage in service for one or two years post-graduation.  Many graduates find this to be an excellent way to  transition from college before beginning graduate school or a career, while at the same time providing service to a community.  There are any number of national or international organizations that support this type of work; this list is a good starting point for research. If you are looking to specifically teach English abroad, this list is also a good starting point for research. If you are interested in studying abroad, this list is a good starting point for research.

HONORS TERM
A limited number of Honors Term Scholar Awards and Honors Term Service Awards are available to outstanding students who would like to continue their study at Beloit College for an additional term beyond graduation. Students who are selected will receive full tuition remission in exchange for undertaking a project that contributes significantly to the academic and/or co-curricular programs of the College and simultaneously furthers their own academic or professional development.  For more information, visit the Registrar's site.  

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
There are a number of organizations and foundations that sponsor highly competitive, nationally recognized scholarships for students pursuing opportunities after graduation.  Students interested in developing application materials for these scholarships should contact the Liberal Arts in Practice Center early in their Beloit tenure.  We will be able to connect you with the appropriate campus resources to assist you in your application.