NC State boasts more than 200 graduate programs and around 10,000 graduate enrollees, but for a group which consists of about one-third of our student population, most undergraduate students are unaware or unclear of what they are doing at NC State and view graduate school as an additional strain on time and money.
Graduate programs are often confused with professional programs, such as medical and law school, but graduate school refers to academic courses that offer more advanced studies, while professional school prepares the individual for specific fields of work. As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, many employers prefer individuals with graduate degrees. Some fields even require graduate degrees, such as accounting, but in any case a graduate degree is a great addition to your academic arsenal.
While entrance into undergraduate school requires the completion of the ACT or SAT, graduate school requires the completion of the Graduate Record Examination or GRE, a test consisting of three sections: analytical writing, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning. While it focuses on advanced reasoning and critical analysis much like the ACT and SAT, Berkley Hillis, a graduate student studying chemistry, noted one key difference to be prepared for when taking the GRE. “My best advice is not to be nervous, and know that you will be on a computer.”
When taking the GRE, students technically have the opportunity to take the exam online or on paper, but the paper-delivered test is only available in areas where electronic testing centers are not located. While this may seem like a negative aspect, a majority of students agree that taking the exam online is significantly quicker than taking it on paper.
Meanwhile, some students do not have to take the GRE if they complete their degrees from accredited institutions, as with the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Zac Lentz, a third-year graduate student, completed his bachelor’s degree in biological and agricultural engineering at NC State, exempting him from the GRE requirement. NC State often allows students who graduate with their bachelors from our institution to apply to the corresponding NC State graduate program without taking the GRE.
Whatever the pathway is for you to enter a graduate program, the benefits of attending are numerous. Not only will you grow personally, but students with graduate degrees often earn more and have a higher employability than their peers. In fact, the median weekly earnings for those holding a master’s degree is $1,380, compared to $1,156 for those with a bachelor’s degree. Employees with master’s degrees also have an unemployment rate of 2.4 percent, compared to 2.7 percent of bachelor’s holders.
Personal benefits include a greater understanding of your field of work, developing new relationships with industry leaders, obtaining vital work experience and developing interpersonal skills.
The opportunity for greater success is not without cost, as graduate school can be very expensive. The average graduate student borrows around $57,000 to afford their education; however, you should not let that dissuade you from pursuing a tertiary degree. There are many opportunities to earn an income during your education, including serving as a teaching assistant and entering into fellowships. You may also sign research contracts that include funding for your research.
“Typically, that is how a lot of grad students are funded,” said Hans Taylor, a graduate student studying atmospheric science.
As for the cost of applying, Hillis stressed the importance of investigating opportunities within your field of study. “Often, if you ask ahead of time, departments that you are applying to will waive your application fees.”
While graduate school may seem a long way away for many undergraduate students, knowing that it is an attainable goal and available at NC State is important. Maintaining good standing as an undergraduate may make it easier to afford graduate school, which in turn will open doors within your field, as well as higher salaries and chances of employment: a security net that you cannot put a price on.
