Friday, October 30, 2009
GV Grad Fact Friday
Grand View University's graduate program is accepting applications for the Fall 2010 and the admission/scholarship priority deadline is April 1, 2010. A complete listing of the admission requirements can be found here. Have a great Friday!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Graduate School: Question of the Week
"I graduated from college over ten years ago, so I don’t know if I can get a letter of recommendation from one of my undergraduate professors and besides, they probably won't remember me. What should I do?"
This can sometimes be challenging, but prospective graduate students in your position have been able to get the recommendation through a few simple steps. First, try to contact your professor a few months before your ideal date to complete the application. Please keep in mind that you’re not the only current or former student asking the professor for a recommendation. As a former student, you might not think they will remember you, but many times they will because professors are used to hearing from former students after graduation. Even if your professors don’t remember you, they have access to your academic records, so that will help them to speak to your ability in the classroom setting.
Sometimes you will find the professor has left the University, but don’t become discouraged. Ask someone from your institution if they have contact information for the professor. If not, just simply perform an internet search and many times you’ll be able to find the needed information.
If you find yourself hitting dead ends at every turn, then contact the graduate admission office to get advice on how to proceed. If the situation is thoroughly explained, many graduate admission offices will then ask you to get an additional letter from someone else who can attest to your ability to succeed in a graduate program.
This can sometimes be challenging, but prospective graduate students in your position have been able to get the recommendation through a few simple steps. First, try to contact your professor a few months before your ideal date to complete the application. Please keep in mind that you’re not the only current or former student asking the professor for a recommendation. As a former student, you might not think they will remember you, but many times they will because professors are used to hearing from former students after graduation. Even if your professors don’t remember you, they have access to your academic records, so that will help them to speak to your ability in the classroom setting.
Sometimes you will find the professor has left the University, but don’t become discouraged. Ask someone from your institution if they have contact information for the professor. If not, just simply perform an internet search and many times you’ll be able to find the needed information.
If you find yourself hitting dead ends at every turn, then contact the graduate admission office to get advice on how to proceed. If the situation is thoroughly explained, many graduate admission offices will then ask you to get an additional letter from someone else who can attest to your ability to succeed in a graduate program.
Friday, October 23, 2009
GV Grad Fact Friday
Grand View's graduate courses are scheduled on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-10 p.m. Our students take two classes per semester (typically 6 credit hours), but only have to meet once a week. So how does that work, you ask? Although our students are attending class every Tuesday evening, they alternate the specific classes every week. Click here to see our course schedules in detail.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Graduate School: Question of the Week
"My employer does not offer tuition reimbursement. How am I going to pay for it?"
Graduate school financial assistance, in most cases, will be a different experience when comparing to your undergraduate scholarships, grants, and student loans. Most graduate schools offer minimal scholarship opportunities for part-time students and the state and federal governments utilize their grants at the undergraduate level. So many part-time graduate students will either try to pay per semester or in many cases, will simply file the FAFSA and take out federal student loans. At the graduate and professional school level, students are eligible to take out $20,500/year in Stafford loans. This will cover tuition and fees at most schools, so students will not have to find alternative ways to pay the school. Some people a very reluctant to take our student loans because they fear making monthly payments for an extended amount of time. But think of it this way --
Person A: She decides to get her graduate degree. Over the course of the two-year program, it will cost roughly $18,000 and she takes out the entire amount in federal student loans. When completed with the degree, she sets up a 10-year loan repayment plan at 6.8% interest (federal rate), so she'll pay around $200 per month.
Person B: He decides to buy a used car for $18,000. The dealership sets him up with a 5-year loan at 5.5% interest, making his payments roughly $350 per month.
Here's my point - Many of us will not bat an eye at a $350 car payment, but will complain about making a smaller student loan payment. Yes, it is for an additional five years, but the degree doesn't depreciate. Twenty years from now your graduate degree will still be on our resume, but where will that car be? My guess is the junkyard.
Graduate school financial assistance, in most cases, will be a different experience when comparing to your undergraduate scholarships, grants, and student loans. Most graduate schools offer minimal scholarship opportunities for part-time students and the state and federal governments utilize their grants at the undergraduate level. So many part-time graduate students will either try to pay per semester or in many cases, will simply file the FAFSA and take out federal student loans. At the graduate and professional school level, students are eligible to take out $20,500/year in Stafford loans. This will cover tuition and fees at most schools, so students will not have to find alternative ways to pay the school. Some people a very reluctant to take our student loans because they fear making monthly payments for an extended amount of time. But think of it this way --
Person A: She decides to get her graduate degree. Over the course of the two-year program, it will cost roughly $18,000 and she takes out the entire amount in federal student loans. When completed with the degree, she sets up a 10-year loan repayment plan at 6.8% interest (federal rate), so she'll pay around $200 per month.
Person B: He decides to buy a used car for $18,000. The dealership sets him up with a 5-year loan at 5.5% interest, making his payments roughly $350 per month.
Here's my point - Many of us will not bat an eye at a $350 car payment, but will complain about making a smaller student loan payment. Yes, it is for an additional five years, but the degree doesn't depreciate. Twenty years from now your graduate degree will still be on our resume, but where will that car be? My guess is the junkyard.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Higher Education in Iowa
It seems that we all have one of those friends who is always coming up with simple, but intriguing questions and we always end up having a great discussion about the subject. Recently, I was visiting with "that guy" and he asked how many people in the U.S. have a graduate degree. I didn't have a clue, but it made for a nice discussion and, of course, the next morning I did a little research on the topic. Based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2008 data, 27.7% of Americans 25 or older have a bachelor's degree, but only 24.3% of Iowans have earned the same level of degree. As for graduate degrees, 10.2% of Americans have an advanced degree and only 7.3% in Iowa. I am very surprised by the numbers, not the national numbers, but where Iowa stacks up in the rankings. 43rd out of 51 in the graduate degree rankings...let's go Iowa. It isn't for the lack of great graduate programs in the state!
Friday, October 16, 2009
GV Grad Fact Friday
Week #3: The Grand View University graduate program is currently accepting applications for the Fall 2010 cohort. The application process can be found on the graduate student web page and if you have any questions, call or email me. phone: #263-2830. email: mnorris@grandview.edu.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
New Weekly Feature: Graduate Question of the Week
A few weeks ago I added the GV Grad Fact Friday. Now I have decided to add the "Graduate Question of the Week." This will be an actual question or concern from a prospective graduate student that I have recently answered. If one person asked, then there are probably others with the same question/concern. My plan is to post the question and answer on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week.
"My life is already hectic, how much time will I dedicate to graduate school?"
In graduate school, the time commitment is significant, especially for part-time students who are putting in a full week at work. As a rule of thumb, many professors will say for every hour of class, you can expect at least two hours of work outside of the classroom. Once you have a feel for your time commitment, you have to determine what “non-school” activities to give up to accommodate for your schedule. Most importantly, if you have a family, you need to prepare them for the sacrifices that will be made by everyone involved. With that being said, a graduate degree is certainly attainable and well worth the time and money. Grand View has an excellent support structure which is very important when looking at graduate schools.
"My life is already hectic, how much time will I dedicate to graduate school?"
In graduate school, the time commitment is significant, especially for part-time students who are putting in a full week at work. As a rule of thumb, many professors will say for every hour of class, you can expect at least two hours of work outside of the classroom. Once you have a feel for your time commitment, you have to determine what “non-school” activities to give up to accommodate for your schedule. Most importantly, if you have a family, you need to prepare them for the sacrifices that will be made by everyone involved. With that being said, a graduate degree is certainly attainable and well worth the time and money. Grand View has an excellent support structure which is very important when looking at graduate schools.
Monday, October 12, 2009
My Business Cards Have Arrived
As I have previously posted, I am new to Grand View University, so some of my time has been spent ordering promotional pens and magnets, office supplies, reference material, and, of course, business cards. In my profession, along with so many others, the business card is one of the most important things to have with you at all times. As American Express used to say, "never leave home without it." So when I was told that I had to wait until mid-September to order my business cards ( I started in August), I was somewhat worried about my interactions with potential students and employers. In the past seven years, I have given out thousands of business cards, it's just something you have to do. So the past two months have been have been, well, weird when it comes to my business card excuses. At first, it was easy. "Oh, I'm sorry, I just started and haven't ordered business cards." Then it turned into, "my business cards have been ordered, but not in." I was beginning to think GVU was holding out to see how I was doing before they invested in business cards :) Well, my business cards arrived this morning and I'm a happy camper. It's amazing how much a person can rely on something so small.
After thinking about the importance of business cards, I will leave you with something I found while doing a bit of business card history research:
"Modern Business Card Etiquette and Format
Not only are elaborate rituals of presentation and reception followed in Asian nations but in many parts of the world it is rude to present your card with your left hand or to immediately put a card away upon receiving it. Internationally a card should never be used to take notes and all cards should be translated on the reverse side in the language of the nation in question. Cards should not be carried loose but in appropriate card cases and should be maintained in pristine condition. The general rule of thumb is that the card should be presented in the condition in which the owner himself would appear for a high level business meeting -- immaculate and behaving according to the manners of the host nation."
After thinking about the importance of business cards, I will leave you with something I found while doing a bit of business card history research:
"Modern Business Card Etiquette and Format
Not only are elaborate rituals of presentation and reception followed in Asian nations but in many parts of the world it is rude to present your card with your left hand or to immediately put a card away upon receiving it. Internationally a card should never be used to take notes and all cards should be translated on the reverse side in the language of the nation in question. Cards should not be carried loose but in appropriate card cases and should be maintained in pristine condition. The general rule of thumb is that the card should be presented in the condition in which the owner himself would appear for a high level business meeting -- immaculate and behaving according to the manners of the host nation."
Friday, October 9, 2009
GV Grad Fact Friday
As I stated last week, I have started Grad Fact Friday...
Fact #2: Our MS in Innovative Leadership gained accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in October 2009. At a press conference in early November, President Henning announced the launch of graduate education, as well as the adoption of the name Grand View University.
Have a great Friday and try to stay warm!
Fact #2: Our MS in Innovative Leadership gained accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in October 2009. At a press conference in early November, President Henning announced the launch of graduate education, as well as the adoption of the name Grand View University.
Have a great Friday and try to stay warm!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What a Weekend for Viking Fans
If you are a Viking football fan (Grand View or Minnesota), then you probably had a pretty good weekend. If you're a fan of both, then you had a great weekend. Thankfully, I'm a fan of both teams, so I had a fantastic weekend. First, on Saturday afternoon Grand View played William Penn University at Williams Stadium in Des Moines. With the scored tied at 17 with less than 30 seconds left in the game, William Penn attempted a field goal and it was blocked by Grand View. One of our players picked up the blocked kick and ran it in for a touchdown....game over. What an exciting conclusion to a hard fought game and to top it off, it was Homecoming Weekend! In only its second year of life, the Grand View football team is 4-2 heading into this weekend's match up against Quincy University.
Then, last night concluded what would be a great weekend for a true Viking fan. It's a good day when Minnesota beats Green Bay, but Brett Favre leading the Vikings to victory over the Packers seemed even sweeter! Argue all you want about how Favre went about it (and I would probably argee with much of it), he's a Viking and I'm loving every minute of it.
Then, last night concluded what would be a great weekend for a true Viking fan. It's a good day when Minnesota beats Green Bay, but Brett Favre leading the Vikings to victory over the Packers seemed even sweeter! Argue all you want about how Favre went about it (and I would probably argee with much of it), he's a Viking and I'm loving every minute of it.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The New Weekly Installment
I have been representing our graduate program the past two days at a middle school teachers conference in Des Moines. Some of the sponsors, including me, have tables set up in the lobby of the hotel. The attendees have a few minutes between sessions to visit with us and then we all go back to our laptops for an hour or so to get some work done. Hence, the blog post right now.
Anyway, I thought I would add a new weekly feature to my blog...Grad Fact Friday. So every Friday, I will write a brief post about something you might not know about GVU's graduate program. I will start with general facts about our program and over the course of the year, I will write about in-depth topics.
The fact for this Friday: Our graduate program started in its development stage over three years ago and our very first cohort of students (21) started in August. We have 7 teachers, 3 nurses, and 11 business students in the cohort.
See, it will only be a couple of sentences, but informative.
Anyway, I thought I would add a new weekly feature to my blog...Grad Fact Friday. So every Friday, I will write a brief post about something you might not know about GVU's graduate program. I will start with general facts about our program and over the course of the year, I will write about in-depth topics.
The fact for this Friday: Our graduate program started in its development stage over three years ago and our very first cohort of students (21) started in August. We have 7 teachers, 3 nurses, and 11 business students in the cohort.
See, it will only be a couple of sentences, but informative.
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