First Graduate and Professional School Fair today

For the first time during fall semester, the Office of Graduate Education and Life in collaboration with the Office of Career Services is holding the 2012 Graduate and Professional School Fair.

The 2013-14 graduate admissions process will kick off next week. The fair will allow students a one-stop shop to explore their graduate school options and have their questions answered.

West Virginia University’s Interim Program Director and co-organizer of this event, Katie Gallagher, said smaller versions of the fair have been held in the past at the end of the spring semester. However, this is the first time a larger fair will take place in the fall.

The Graduate and Professional School Fair brings together representatives from all 14 WVU schools and colleges, as well as representatives from graduate and professional schools across the country; allowing students to explore various options.

"We will host more than 50 schools and colleges across the country including schools such as Virginia Tech, Boston College, Carnegie Mellon and more, in addition to those from WVU," Gallagher said.

In the past, several hundred students have made their way through the fair to visit all of their options.

"Seniors and juniors with an interest in graduate or professional school should certainly stop by," Gallagher said. "However, we also welcome freshmen and sophomores who might be considering grad school to stop by and start inquiring. These first two years are critical in making yourself appealing and a strong applicant for admission."

The fair is open to students in all majors and there will be more than 50 representatives present at the event.

Two presentations titled, "Applying to and Funding for Graduate School," will be held during the fair from 1-1:30 p.m. and again from 1:30-2 p.m.

"They will each be a brief focus on understanding the graduate admissions process, an explanation of funding for graduate school and a chance for questions and answers," Gallagher said.

During the fair, four application fee waivers will be given out each hour, which are valued at $60 each.

There will be other giveaways including t-shirts and miscellaneous Graduation Education items.

The Graduate and Professional School Fair is free students, alumni, staff or community members who are considering graduate education.

"I hear from students who often don’t understand the graduate admissions process or think that they can’t go on for a master’s, doctorate or professional degree," Gallagher said. "This event will allow students to inquire as well as see what is available and ask questions, so that they understand the process and can be well prepared."

For many students, getting a job after graduation may be the first thing on their mind; however, graduate and professional school can also help students be more marketable and desirable in the work force, she said.

Gallagher said, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, for students with a master’s, doctorate or professional degree, unemployment rates are 1.5 to 2.5 percent lower than those with only a bachelor’s degree.

"We’ve been planning this event for about six months and we hope to make this an annual event and increase the number of schools and colleges participating," Gallagher said.

"I hope students come to the fair to both learn more about the process and explore their options so they are well prepared if graduate education is in their future."

For students who can’t make it to the fair, several other WVU schools and colleges will be hosting their own open house and recruitment events throughout the year.

"I think this fair will compliment the other recruitment events and help students on focusing in and getting a jump start on the process in advance," Gallagher said.

The fair will be held today from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

WVU’s College of Business and Economics graduate fair is scheduled for Sept. 26, and the School of Public Health and the School of Pharmacy’s will be Oct. 3.

For a list of schools represented at the fair and for more information, visit http://grad.wvu.edu.