<p>Hey guys. I will be transfering from a CC to UCB in the Fall. I would like to know about Graduate School Acceptance realities really. I know they differ but some key things which are important. Like is it important to have an outstanding GPA? How about if I cant afford it (I'm 21 years old) is financial aid in graduate school generous or what... I guess it I should say it like this what must I do as a 3.45 gpa average transfer student to Berkeley to enter graduate school with hopes of not paying too much for it? Like scholarship possibilities, and financial aid. Oh and by the way im from a low -income family (less than 40k). Or are my hopes for getting accepted to good graduate programs, and scholarship/financial aid promises gone, as a result of my not outstanding (over 3.7 GPA) granted I have time to raise this GPA... or does that not matter. I havnt a clue. When do you guys recommend I take the GRE's. I am a US Citizen, and majoring in the humanities.</p>
<p>What sort of graduate program will you be looking to attend?</p>
<p>PhD programs generally award students full financial aid plus a living stipend, while master's students often need to take out loans to fund their graduate school plans. At any rate, your family's income does not matter -- after obtaining a bachelor's degree, you are considered independent of your parents by the government, and your aid will be assessed with reference to how much money you personally have.</p>
<p>You can take the GRE at any time. The scores are valid for five years after you take the test. Most people take the test during the fall of their senior year in college.</p>
<p>hello molliebatmit,</p>
<p>thank you for your reply. It looks like I will be looking for a History graduate program, or even perhaps Philosophy. I was under the impression that students always need to get their Masters before getting their PhD. I thought that once accepted to a graduate program students must necessarily acquire their Masters prior to getting their PhD. Sorry if Im oblivious to all this. So if I understand correctly from what you said, PhDs pay fully for aid and even a living stipend... but Masters on the other hand you need to pay for yourself.</p>
<p>For most humanities, you'll apply/be accepted/enroll in a PhD program and get the MA along the way. </p>
<p>GPA - Your 3.45 GPA is fine. </p>
<p>GRE - download the PowerPrep (PC only alas) software from the ETS website and try a practice test. That will help focus your preparation if any is needed. Do be aware that ETS is notorious for screwing up when you most need them to be efficient. So you want to take the test early enough that you can re-take if you choke or something weird happens. Summer after your junior year is plenty early but use the ETS website to track test dates and locations in your area - things are a little up-in-the-air right now since they cancelled plans to go to a new test format.</p>
<p>While you're at UCB you'll want to get to know professors in your major. Go to department colloquia, schedule office hours, and so forth. For your applications you will typically need 3 LORs - this is how you get to know your profs well enough to to ask for them comfortably.</p>
<p>By the beginning of December of your senior year you'll need to have (or be about to have) a sample of your academic writing to include with your apps. So try to take a couple classes that will result in largish essays (20 or so pages). Classes like those also provide another way to get to know your profs - after you get back the paper (hopefully with an "A") you can go to office hours and say "I want to use this paper in my grad. apps - how can I make it better?"</p>
<p>Money - don't go anywhere you'll have to pay! You should be looking to get tuition, fees, health insurance (hopefully), and a stipend that will be just enough to live on. We humanities folk tend to be less well funded than some of the sciences but it can be done.</p>
<p>As usual, William C is right on.</p>
<p>But there is one IMPORTANT thing I'd like to add. In history, many MA programs do provide assistantships, which carry full tuition remission and stipends. So it is often wise to apply widely, to several (appropriate) PhD programs and to a couple of MA programs as "safeties." </p>
<p>Choose all programs to which you will apply by researching faculty specializations, and finding out which scholars do work that is notable in YOUR specific field of interest. This element is called "fit," and admissions often hinge upon it.</p>
<p>very nicely answered William and Professor. I appreciate your replies a lot and have helped me clear out the picture. Thank you again for the wonderful and kind replies</p>