If you have aspirations of pursuing graduate studies, the path forward is an exciting one. At Flagler College, we understand the importance of a well-prepared transition to advanced education. This is your opportunity to explore the resources, strategies, and guidance available to help you embark on your graduate journey with confidence and success. Our Career Development team will help you navigate the following:
- Completing admission requirements
- Reviewing personal statements
- Resume preparation
- Information about entry exams: GRE, GMAT, and LSAT are just a few!
Below you will find tips and resources to help you navigate your next steps.
Graduate School Resources and Tips
Graduate School Resources and Tips
We offer SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT test preparation through our Continuing Education Program.
What is the GRE?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a test that measures skills considered essential to graduate school success and is a valid predictor of grad school performance.
Look out for GRE Prep workshops during the semester!
Exam Question Types
Analytical Writing
Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively.
- Scoring: 0-6
- Scored by computer + reader
- You will not be held accountable for "factual" knowledge
- Can you write a well-thought-out essay while answering the prompt?
- No spell check/grammar check
- There is no "right answer"
Helpful tips:
- Prepare an outline to keep your thoughts in order
- Try to write on the opposite side. You'll be more analytical and less passionate/personal.
- Write clearly, explain key points, and omit humor.
- Read newspapers and magazine articles (Wall Street Journal, TIME, The Economist, etc.)
Verbal Reasoning
Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences, and recognize relationships among words and concepts.
Scoring: 130-170
Reading Comprehension Sets
Helpful tips:
- Quick scan the questions so you know what you're looking for
- Do NOT apply outside knowledge
- Answer the question, don't select an answer because it's a true statement
Text Completion Questions
Helpful tips:
- Try to fill in the blanks with their own words and find answer choices that match
- One is usually very easy; answer that one first
Sentence Equivalence Questions
Helpful tips:
- It IS possible to pick more than the allotted amount of answers
- The two correct choices do not always have the same meaning
- Focus on understanding what the sentence means
Quantitative Reasoning
Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
Score: 130-170
Question Types
- Multiple choice w/ 1 answer
- Multiple-choice w/multiple answers
- Quantitative Comparison
- Numeric Entry
- Data interpretation
Helpful tips:
- Simplify problems when possible
- Plug in numbers
- Always enter the exact answer unless asked to do something else
- Remember to change calculations (.33333 = 33%)
- The calculator respects the order of operations (MDAS)
- Use Math Review
Graduate School Exam Resources
Flagler College is now offering SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT test preparation through our Adult and Continuing Education Program.
GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Additional Resources
What to consider when choosing a graduate program and school:
- Specialization
- Ranking
- Accreditation
- Program Size
- Location
- People
- Cost
- Quality of Life
- Application Process
Every graduate school is different in what they require, so you will need to research what is required at the school of your choice. Here is a list of things that could be required.
- Application
- Application Fee
- Transcripts
- Graduate Exam scores (GRE, GMAT, etc)
- Statement of Purpose
- Resumé
- Letters of Recommendation
- Phone and/or On-Campus Interview
What is a statement of purpose?
- One of the most important parts of your grad school application
- A written essay (usually 2-5 pages double spaced) that addresses a variety of topics
- Past experiences
- Future goals
- Responses to specific application questions
- A reflection of who you are and where you are headed
How are they used?
- Assessing whether you are a good fit
- Assessing your excitement for their program
- A place to briefly explain deficiencies
- Evaluation of your writing skills
Things to keep in mind...
- Know your program well!
- Know the faculty in the department
- Write separate statements for each program you apply to
- Remember your reader!
- Excite them and make them interested
- Good writing requires good editing
- Stay within the requested limits
- Don’t choose a larger font or a smaller font to make it fit- add something or cut something if need be
- Get others to look over it
Contact Us
If you have any questions about preparing for graduate school, please email us at careerdevelopment@flagler.edu.