Preparing for ‘higher higher’ educa2on by: Hannah Gilham
It’s fall again and undergraduate students across the na2on are star2ng to plan for their future. This includes preparing for tests such as the MCAT, LSAT and GRE.
Senior Jenny Lamphere prepares for the GRE and the LSAT exams this October to prepare her for either a law degree in interna2onal human rights or a
graduate degree in interna2onal studies.
“I would say take the [MCAT prep] class [because] the test is…different. You have to get used to taking them, honestly my number one recommenda2on is take prac2ce tests because you have to get used to taking a four-‐hour test;
build the mental endurance and just know what you’re in for,” said Sam Brock, a biology major at the University of Denver.
Both Sam and Jenny say they spend several hours a week looking at programs on the internet, filling out applica2ons for graduate school and studying for the GRE, MCAT and LSAT. Both students are currently taking a full course load at the University of
Denver as well.
According to FinAid.com, a website dedicated to helping college students find ways to finance their educa2on, graduate students borrow a cumula2ve debt of between $30,000 to $120,000.
“If one hopes to have a career in the life
sciences at least a MS degree is required. Yes, the job markets
are 2ght, but a student entering a life
science Ph.D. graduate program in 2013 will not be on the job market un2l
2020 or later depending on the
amount of postdoctoral training
one does aber comple2ng a Ph.D.,” said biology professor Dr. Robert Dores.
Senior Sam Brock spends four hours a week volunteering at a local hospital to gain experience and supplement her resume for medical school.
Volunteering, club par2cipa2on and other extracurricular ac2vi2es enhance applica2on for a job or for higher educa2on. “For medical school, dental school and physician assistant programs, do volunteer work. Medical schools and dental schools want to see that an applicant is willing to be engaged in his or her community,” said Dores.
Students make use of different kinds of stress relievers to cope with preparing for the next step.
While applying for ‘higher higher’ educa2on can be stressful and 2me consuming, many campuses offer academic and career advising
services.
Tes2ng dates/fees GRE:
Cost: $160 Upcoming Test:
h6p://www.ets.org/gre/ MCAT
cost: $240 Upcoming Test: Jan
LSAT Cost: $160
Upcoming Test: Dec. 1 and Dec. 3