JAMES B. AVEY PHDCOLLEGE OF BUSINESS
CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Graduate School Discussion
Topics
Why Graduate School?Why not Graduate School?What course of study?What school?Logistics of PreparationLogistics of Graduate SchoolNote on Post-Graduate school
Why Graduate School?
Money (40k entry vs. 60k + entry depending on school) 10/26/06 AP “College graduates made an average of $51,554
in 2004, the most recent figures available, compared with $28,645 for adults with a high school diploma. High school dropouts earned an average of $19,169 and those with advanced college degrees made an average of $78,093.”
http://economiclogic.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-is-mba-worth.html
Access to Professions and LevelsPromotion (caution- an advanced degree is not salvation)Personal GoalsRespect
Why not Graduate School?
What course of study?
Profession?What is your profession?
Business- MBA Emphasis as appropriate Broad emphasis may be better at graduate level Do not get a non-business or non-law degree if you will
be in business/management. Psychologist
Psychology Sociologist
Sociology
What school?- The System
Input Process Output
What school?
The best one possible, without exception. Investment strategy: the higher caliber the school
The more the payoff The stronger the networks The higher caliber the networks in terms of opportunities
The one you can get in Do not take the road of convenience
Schools in Washington (U.S. News and World Report) University of Washington (not satellite campus) Big Gap University of Seattle, SPU, WSU WWU, EWU, Gonzaga Big Gap City University, Univ. of Phoenix, Capella
Logistics of Preparation
Gaining Entry Grades GMAT
Minimum 600 Preferred 700 750 or higher guarantees entrance
Service Personal Contacts within the University
Time Preparation Class Time Study Time Collegial Time
Logistics of Preparation
Family Married? Kids? Putting first things first or you will fail
Cost Education reimbursement Scholarships/Grants Loans/Parents/Sponsors Paying your own way
Geographic/living No house? Live Close House? Buy a Diesel Jetta
Logistics of Graduate School
From a Pike in a Puddle to a Guppy in the PacificClass sizes smaller (typically)Depth is deeperBreadth is broaderMore synthesis and integration of real-time
issuesExpectations in syllabus; no babysittingHomogeneity of colleaguesCan you sluff through? Yes, but it is more
difficult and others will know
Note on Post-Graduate school
Must have good reason for a Ph.D.Job Requirement
Current Job Desired Job
Personal RequirementTime commitment (MBA) vs. Brain commitment
(PhD)Different Discussion
Summary
Graduate school…* Is fun Is hard Opens up opportunities Is an investment no one can take away
* Side effects may include a know-it-all attitude, an urge to tell others what to do, friends asking to borrow money, extreme attraction from the opposite sex and 22 inch rims on your ride.