{"id":27722,"date":"2020-09-12T15:14:50","date_gmt":"2020-09-12T20:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/?page_id=27722"},"modified":"2025-09-09T13:33:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T18:33:48","slug":"graduate-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/graduate-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate School"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__hero panel panel-hero site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"hero\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper imageoverlay site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<figure  class=\"site-section__bg-img site-panel__hero-bg-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"cover\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/cover-1.jpg?resize=1600%2C1067&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/cover-1.jpg?resize=1152%2C768&#038;ssl=1 1152w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/cover-1.jpg?resize=1600%2C1067&#038;ssl=1 1600w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/cover-1.jpg?resize=1600%2C1067&#038;ssl=1 1600w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/cover-1.jpg?resize=1600%2C1067&#038;ssl=1 1600w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__hero-content site-panel__hero-content--navy\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__hero-content-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-panel__hero-title\" id=\"graduate-school\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Graduate School<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__hero-desc\"\n\t\t\t\t\t     data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t     data-name=\"content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t     data-autop\n\t\t\t\t\t     data-livetext\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Piper Center supports current students and alumni in pursuing further study at the graduate level. We supplement the work of the St. Olaf faculty, who provide primary guidance on graduate school, by offering individual coaching and a broad array of resources to assist you in submitting a strong application.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__micronavbutton panel panel-micronavbutton site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"micronavbutton\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t    <div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--top-padding-none site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none micronavbutton\">\n\n\t\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters\"\n\t     data-depth=\"0\"\n\t     data-name=\"buttons\"\n\t     data-livetext\n\t>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-teal\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/the-application-process\/\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">Medicine<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-teal\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/career-guides\/pre-law\/\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">Law<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-teal\"\n\t\t\t\t   \thref=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/business-school\/\"\n\t\t\t\t   \ttarget=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">Business<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\n\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters  site-panel__imgtxt-img-left\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"FallShots17-204\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2024\/09\/FallShots17-204.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2024\/09\/FallShots17-204.jpg?resize=520%2C300&#038;ssl=1 520w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2024\/09\/FallShots17-204.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1 820w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2024\/09\/FallShots17-204.jpg?resize=1120%2C900&#038;ssl=1 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p>If you are unfamiliar with the world of graduate study, take a look at the videos we&#8217;ve created to introduce you to graduate schools. Explore these pages, and then reach out to the faculty or to the Piper Center\u2019s coaches for further discussion.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1YoD2qxSp1DRvg6igXRZuZpigtX03R3iM\/view?usp=drive_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1YoD2qxSp1DRvg6igXRZuZpigtX03R3iM\/view&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1755801172281000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3eQZoXAkZs3fZF5gyyKbEf\" data-mt-ft-processed=\"true\">Applying to Graduate School: Steps in the Process<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1EoisH31AmY6Y2MhtzOuCIkWQU6X1ZaVW\/view?usp=drive_link\">Graduate School: Statements of Purpose<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1AhH1GdAEnEjT7HKjeb7m376w7EYPf0j9\/view?usp=drive_link\">Graduate School: Personal Statements<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters  site-panel__imgtxt-img-right\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"Chicago-204\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2019\/07\/Chicago-204.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2019\/07\/Chicago-204.jpg?resize=520%2C300&#038;ssl=1 520w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2019\/07\/Chicago-204.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1 820w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2019\/07\/Chicago-204.jpg?resize=1120%2C900&#038;ssl=1 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title h3\" id=\"academic-vs-professional-degrees\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Academic vs. Professional Degrees<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p><b>Academic degrees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (MA, MS, PhD) involve acquiring and communicating new knowledge through original research.\u00a0 These degrees are awarded in virtually all disciplines of the liberal arts (e.g., arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Professional degrees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stress the practical application of knowledge and skills and may be acquired in areas such as business (MBA), law (JD), medicine (MD), and education (MEd).\u00a0 Other fields offering professional degrees include the fine arts (MFA), library science (MLS), public policy (MPP), social work (MSW), nursing (DPN), and many more. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"is-style-default site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"is-style-default site-section__title h3\" id=\"is-graduate-school-right-for-me\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Is graduate school right for me?<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"is-style-default t-content\" data-name=\"content\" data-index=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Graduate school is a significant investment of time, money, and hard work.\u00a0 Before making a decision to attend, think carefully about three basic questions:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is a graduate degree necessary to achieve my personal and professional goals?<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Am I a competitive candidate &#8212; at this time &#8212; for graduate school?<\/li>\n<li>Is now or later a better time for me to attend?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIs a graduate degree necessary to achieve my personal and professional goals?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students who do well in graduate school typically attend for reasons like the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I want to be a researcher or a college professor<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have a strong desire to be an expert in the field<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I place a lot of value on attaining a graduate degree<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I will have better job choices or a better income with a graduate degree<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reasons <strong>NOT<\/strong> to attend graduate school include the following:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I don\u2019t know what I want to do after college<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019m not ready to enter the world of work<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I can put off paying my college loans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything I can do with \u201cmy major in [particular subject]&#8221;<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My parents expect me to go<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you find yourself thinking about graduate school for any of the second group of reasons, consider making an appointment to see a Piper Center coach.\u00a0 We can help you think through options.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAm I a competitive applicant for graduate school?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The minimum GPA required by most universities is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Check to see if the schools on your list give a range of the GPAs that admitted students typically have.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although grades are of great importance, a GPA that does not quite meet the minimum can be offset with strong letters of recommendation, high test scores, and a well-written personal statement or statement of purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there is a valid reason why your GPA is low (i.e., your first year grades pulled down your overall average; you worked 30 hours per week in addition to taking a heavy course load, etc.), you may wish to bring that fact to the attention of the admissions committee.\u00a0 Before you do so, please (a) speak with a trusted faculty member or career coach about the pros and cons of addressing your GPA in your application and (b) seek advice about how to word your statement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a master\u2019s degree, your Graduate Grade Point Average (GGPA) will be an important consideration for your acceptance into a doctoral program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">School catalogues will specify whether you need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), which is the standardized test for graduate school, and schools will often indicate the score that applicants need to be competitive. <\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIs now or later a better time for me to attend graduate school?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you know that you want to go to graduate school, you don\u2019t need to attend right after you graduate from college. A significant number of St. Olaf students go on to graduate or professional school, and many take one, two or more \u201cgap years\u201d in between to gain experience or to clarify their personal and professional goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although many schools accept applicants fresh out of college, others prefer applicants with more experience.\u00a0 Do research in your chosen field to determine whether your field, and the schools in which you\u2019re interested, accept new graduates or prefer more seasoned applicants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your academic record isn\u2019t as strong as you\u2019d like, you may want to take additional courses to strengthen your record. Gaining work experience will also allow you to obtain more familiarity with, and experience in, a field, which will be reflected in your application. Professional experience will also enable you to establish good relationships with supervisors or colleagues who may be willing to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have only recently come to a decision to attend graduate school (you may be a second-semester senior), don\u2019t worry. You haven\u2019t missed the boat! Many people attend graduate school after working or doing something else for many years. These candidates often excel in graduate school because they have a lot of experience and have thought carefully about what field they want to pursue and what a graduate degree can do for them. To prepare for graduate school, you may need to take additional courses, and you may also need specific kinds of work experience. St. Olaf faculty members and Piper Center career coaches can support you if you fund yourself in this situation.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat types of degrees can I pursue for graduate school?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Comparison of Doctoral and Master&#8217;s Degrees<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Master\u2019s degrees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (MA \u2014 Master of Arts; MS \u2014 Master of Science)<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1-3 years in length<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coursework, exams, possibly an internship or another applied experience, and often a thesis or comprehensive exam<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A focus on learning a broad range of knowledge related to a specific field or academic area<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally limited funding<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Doctoral degrees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (PhD, DEd, etc.)<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5-8 years in length, depending on the field<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coursework, exams, and a dissertation (significant independent research project)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus on learning a wide range of knowledge related to a specific field or academic area AND on diving deeply into a specific topic of interest to the point that you are uncovering new knowledge in the field<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Larger amounts of funding often available because of opportunities to participate in faculty research<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-4\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-4\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCan I combine work and graduate school?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes, you can combine work and graduate school by enrolling in a flexible program that allows you to study part time while working part time. Other programs include work (teaching or research) as part of a financial aid package. If you attend part time and also take out federal student loans, please look carefully at the funding guidelines. Please review the section below on &#8220;Funding your graduate study.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many recent graduates, strapped with sizable debt from their college years, do not immediately go to graduate school and look for employment right after graduation, saving money to cover graduate school expenses down the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another way to help fund graduate school is to find employment with an organization that offers tuition assistance as part of its benefits package. These programs allow employees to take courses and earn master\u2019s degrees at nearby universities as part of advancing their careers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some organizations provide 100% financial support for tuition and fees for courses. Some also combine the tuition assistance benefit with a \u201cfront-pay\u201d option that allows direct billing from the college to the corporation, eliminating the need for out-of-pocket expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-5\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-5\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWho can help me decide about graduate school?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Your professors<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your most valuable resource for discussions about graduate school are members of the St. Olaf faculty \u2014 typically your faculty advisor or a faculty member in your proposed field of study. They will have attended graduate school, and they will be able to provide information about graduate programs and what to expect from them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faculty members also are familiar with your academic work, and they will be writing your letters of recommendation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hot tip:\u00a0 talk to faculty members early about graduate school. Don\u2019t wait until you need a letter of recommendation!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Piper Center Career Coaches<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Piper Center has career coaches who can support you as you explore the possibility of graduate school. Coaches can share information with you about the application process, deadlines, standardized tests, and financial aid, and they can discuss how best to ask for letters of recommendation. Coaches can also work with you on your applications and personal statement \/ statement of purpose.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>St. Olaf Alumni and others in your personal network<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faculty members and the Piper Center can help you find alumni who have attended programs in which you might be interested.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-6\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-6\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"6\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat questions should I ask when considering graduate school? \t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-header-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd630e37-content-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"6\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long will my proposed course of study take?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is my current level of motivation? Do I need a break from studying before I start up again?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much will graduate school cost? Can I afford to go to graduate school right now?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do I know for certain what I want to study? Or do I need to continue my exploration?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will the degree do more for me after I have some work experience?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do I have other needs or wishes right now that might conflict with graduate study?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-full-width is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"is-full-width is-style-default site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"is-full-width is-style-default site-section__title h3\" id=\"how-do-i-choose-a-school\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">How do I choose a school?<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-full-width is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"is-full-width is-style-default t-content\" data-name=\"content\" data-index=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p>If you find yourself in one of the following <strong>groups of students<\/strong>, please take a look at the resources in the drop-down menu:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A student from a <strong>underrepresented group<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>An <strong>international student<\/strong> who would like to attend graduate school in the <strong>U.S. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>A student who would like to attend a graduate school <strong>outside the U.S. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>A student who would like to attend graduate school <strong>online <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you&#8217;re not in one of these groups, scroll down to &#8220;What online resources are available to help me choose graduate school?&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAttending graduate school as a member of an underrepresented group \t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Council of Graduate Studies 2024 report on Graduate Enrollment and Degrees from 2013 to 2023 states that \u201c27.9% of all first-time U.S. citizens and permanent resident enrollees were racially\/ethnically underrepresented minority (URM) students, including those who were American Indian\/Alaska Native (0.5%), Black\/African American (12.3%), Native Hawaiian\/ Other Pacific Islander (0.2%), and Latinx (14.9%). The majority of first-time U.S. citizens and permanent resident enrollees are White (54.8%) while smaller proportions are either Asian (9.1%), race\/ethnicity unknown (4.3%), or two or more races (3.9%). . . . Only one category of underrepresented minority students experienced declines in first-time enrollment between Fall 2022 and Fall 2023; first-time graduate enrollment decreased by 1.6% among American Indian\/Alaska Native students. Meanwhile, Black\/African American students increased by 6.3% and Latinx students increased by 7.6%.\u201d\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cgsnet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GED-2024-1.1.pdf\">The Council of Graduate Studies 2024 Report<\/a><\/p>\n<p>All groups are underrepresented in graduate school compared to the national demographics for these groups: American Indian\/Alaska Native (1.1%), Black\/African American (12.1%), and Hispanic\/Latino (18.7%).<\/p>\n<p>These groups are particularly underrepresented in STEM fields.<\/p>\n<p>If you are a student from an underrepresented group, you may wish to look at an article in\u00a0<i>U.S. News and World Report<\/i>, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/blogs\/medical-school-admissions-doctor\/articles\/why-more-minorities-should-consider-medical-school\">Advice for Minority Students Considering Med School<\/a>,\u201d which describes the challenges these students face \u2014 challenges present in all graduate and professional school programs \u2014 and steps you can take to help you achieve success.<\/p>\n<p>You will note that finding a mentor is the most important step that you can take to achieve your goals in graduate school. Thus, when considering graduate schools, you will need to find out from the Admissions staff, from faculty, and from current students if the kinds of mentors who will enable you to flourish are present and if the environment is one that supports students from underrepresented groups. Doing your research about the faculty, studying their publications, and finding out about their students are critical steps to help you determine whether you will receive the support you need.<\/p>\n<p>You may want to research whether the institutions that you are considering have an Inclusion and Belonging Officer or a similar role, someone whose role is to increase the presence of students from\u00a0underrepresented groups in graduate programs and to support them in achieving success.<\/p>\n<p>You can also ask the Admissions staff for data about admissions and completion rates by demographic group, which will enable you to compare rates of success. Undertaking research about the racial climate on campus will also give you a sense of how the institution is responding to recent events in the U.S.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAttending graduate school in the U.S. as an International student \t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In 2024, the Council of Graduate Studies report on Graduate Enrollment and Degrees from 2013 to 2023 stated that \u201cInternational graduate students constituted 23.5% of total enrollment in Fall 2023, compared with U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who constituted 76.5%. . . . At Doctoral Universities with Very High Research Activities (R1), the share of international students rose slightly to 31.3%. The percentage of international students was particularly high in Mathematics and Computer Sciences (61.3%), Engineering (50.7%), and Physical and Earth Sciences (37.1%).\u00a0 This trend mirrored the preferred fields of study of international students last year.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/cgsnet.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/GED-2024-1.1.pdf\">The Council of Graduate Studies 2024 Report<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The requirements for admission to graduate school are the same as for U.S. citizens or permanent residents\u00a0<i>with the following exception<\/i>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You may need to show proof of your proficiency in English (e.g., TOEFL\/IELTA) if you are not a native speaker of English<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once you are admitted to a SEVP-approved university<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You will need a student visa &#8211; an F-1 non-immigrant visa<\/li>\n<li>Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your course of study<\/li>\n<li>Confirmation of your intent to depart from the U.S. after you have completed your course of study<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Funding Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Please see the general advice in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/funding-your-graduate-study\/\">Funding your graduate study<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you are an international student, U.S. federal government loans will likely not be available to you. So where can you find funding?<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Four top graduate universities \u2014 Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology \u2014 provide \u201cneed-blind funding,\u201d whether you are a domestic or an international student.<\/li>\n<li>The university that has accepted you may have funding.<\/li>\n<li>You can apply for scholarships for international students.\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.topuniversities.com\/student-info\/scholarship-advice\/international-scholarships-study-us\">International scholarships to study in the US<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/jitglobalconsult.com\/list-of-fully-funded-masters-scholarships-in-usa-2025\/\">List of Fully Funded Masters Scholarships in USA 2025<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>You can participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as you may have done as an undergraduate, using this work study to fund your graduate work.<\/li>\n<li>Your home country or a range of international organizations may also offer funding<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For more information about applying to graduate schools, please see the following articles:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.topuniversities.com\/where-to-study\/north-america\/united-states\/graduate-study-us-guide-international-students\">Graduate Study in the US: Guide for International Students<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/best-global-universities\/articles\/ways-international-students-can-pay-for-u-s-graduate-school\">10 Ways International Students Can Pay for U.S. Graduate School<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAttending graduate school outside the U.S. \t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you are interested in attending graduate school outside the United States, the process for applying will be similar to that for applying to schools in the United States,\u00a0<i>with the following exception<\/i>:<\/p>\n<p>U.S. citizens and permanent residents, as well as international students who are applying to a school in a country that is not their home, will need to do research about the kinds of visas available for international students and will need to be able to demonstrate that they have the financial resources to cover their living expenses as well as tuition. The difficulty of applying for a visa may indicate how welcoming a country is toward international students.<\/p>\n<p>Researching potential locations, understanding the political, social and cultural climate, and confirming the language skills needed to be successful are a critical part of the process. In addition, conducting thorough research about the likely costs of study \u2014 uncovering so-called \u201chidden\u201d costs \u2014 will enable you to assess whether a course of study is affordable. This is especially the case for certain public universities in European countries like France, Germany, and Norway that either do not charge for tuition or charge only a minimal amount.<\/p>\n<p>For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, aid from the U.S. government may be available to support education outside of the U.S.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAttending graduate school online\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63161d-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-full-width is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>COVID-19 reframed the landscape for online education in the United States and internationally, as many institutions now offer online education as a primary mode of delivery.<\/p>\n<p>If you are deciding whether to attend graduate school online, you will need to keep the following three factors in mind:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is the program regionally accredited?<\/li>\n<li>Does the program have a traditional campus where students attend in person?<\/li>\n<li>Does the program have a reputable academic brand?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In other words, it is not\u00a0<b>how<\/b>\u00a0you earn an online degree but\u00a0<b>where<\/b>\u00a0you earn the degree. If you attend a regionally accredited program at an institution that has a traditional campus and a reputable academic brand, employers will likely view the degree as being equal to one earned in person. Employers continue to be concerned about for-profit institutions that offer online learning; many have been criticized as \u201cdiploma mills\u201d that have questionable recruiting practices, low rates of completion, and degrees of questionable value.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<b>pros<\/b>\u00a0for attending graduate school online are flexibility and applicability: you can attend from any location, you can fit your coursework into a busy schedule, and you can begin to apply what you are learning immediately to your employment (assuming that you are not making a career change). The\u00a0<b>cons<\/b>\u00a0are a lack of in-person communication with faculty and fewer opportunities to network with your classmates. You must also be very disciplined and well-organized.<\/p>\n<p>For a good discussion of online graduate education, take a look at this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/online-education\">article.<\/a><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title site-section__title--center h3\" id=\"what-online-resources-are-available-to-help-me-choose-graduate-schools\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">What online resources are available to help me choose graduate schools?<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper \"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\" style=\"height: 100px;\"><a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-gold-light\" style=\"color: black;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/graduate-schools.aspx\"><br \/>\n<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">Peterson\u2019s Grad School Search Tool<\/span><span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\" style=\"color: black;\">Learn more<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\" style=\"height: 100px;\"><a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-gold-light\" style=\"color: black;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gradschools.com\/\"><br \/>\n<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">Gradschools.com<\/span><span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\" style=\"color: black;\">Learn more<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\" style=\"height: 100px;\"><a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-gold-light\" style=\"color: black;\" href=\"http:\/\/mastersdegree.net\/\"><br \/>\n<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">MastersDegree.net<\/span><span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\" style=\"color: black;\">Learn more<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--top-padding-none site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper \"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\" style=\"height: 100px;\"><a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-gold-light\" style=\"color: black;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/best-graduate-schools\"><br \/>\n<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">U.S. News and World Report Grad School Rankings<br \/>\n<\/span><span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\" style=\"color: black;\">Learn more<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\" style=\"height: 100px;\"><a class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn u-bc-gold-light\" style=\"color: black;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/best-global-universities\/rankings\"><br \/>\n<span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-label\">U.S. News and World Report Best Abroad Universities Rankings<\/span><span class=\"site-panel__micronavbtn-btn-desc\" style=\"color: black;\">Learn more<\/span><br \/>\n<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"is-style-default site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"is-style-default site-section__title site-section__title--center h3\" id=\"other-important-ways-to-evaluate-programs\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Other important ways to evaluate programs<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"is-style-default c-caption__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"is-style-default \" alt=\"Zach-13\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2019\/07\/Zach-13.jpg?resize=600%2C350&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tReview catalogues for graduate programs\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the catalogue is not already online, you can request a copy of the catalogue directly from the Admissions Office of the institution that you are considering.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTalk to graduate school admissions representatives\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The job of admissions representatives is to find good candidates and to share a wealth of information about the institution and its programs.\u00a0 First do your research online so that you don\u2019t ask questions to which you could have found the answer on your own.\u00a0 Demonstrate to the admissions representative that you\u2019ve done your homework.<\/span><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTalk to graduate school faculty\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before contacting graduate faculty, speak with your St. Olaf faculty advisors about whether it is a practice in your discipline to reach out to graduate faculty.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the St. Olaf faculty give you the okay, then you must do your &#8220;homework.&#8221; Study the graduate faculty&#8217;s career history; read their publications; find out about their current research or the projects being conducted in their lab. Be ready to answer questions about your research interests, the way your interests connect with the faculty member\u2019s interests, and the research or other work that you\u2019ve done to prepare for graduate school.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some instances, faculty with whom you have corresponded or spoken will advocate on your behalf to the program admissions committee. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAttend a graduate school fair\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Graduate school fairs offer an opportunity to gain in-depth information from school representatives that will help you evaluate programs and find the best fit.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To prepare for the fair, review the schools that will be attending and choose those with whom you\u2019d like to speak.\u00a0 Review catalogues, directories and websites to get a sense of the universities and their programs.\u00a0 Rank the schools according to your preference and prepare a list of questions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be ready to answer the following questions:\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you want to attend graduate school at xyz university?\u201d \u201cWhat do you want to study?\u201d \u201cWhen do you plan to attend?\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ask representatives for their business cards. You will then have a contact with whom you can speak to gather further information or to ask questions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-4\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-4\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tVisit the institutions in which you are interested\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Some schools host an \u201cAdmitted Students Day,\u201d and in some cases schools will provide financial support so that admitted students can attend.\u00a0 In other cases, depending on the location of the school and your ability to pay for transportation, you may want to visit the institution in person, meet with admissions representatives, and tour the campus.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-5\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-5\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEvaluate programs by asking the questions below\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-header-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd63290c-content-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Admission<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are requirements for admission?\u00a0 How important is my GPA?\u00a0 Is the Graduate Record Exam (GRE General, GRE Subject) required?\u00a0 If so, how important are my test scores?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What criteria are used to evaluate applicants?\u00a0 Is work experience important?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the gender and ethnic representation of students in the department?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Programs offered\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What specializations are offered?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What characteristics distinguish this program from others in the same field?\u00a0 Is the program nationally ranked, or is it relatively new?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does the program focus on theory and original research?\u00a0 Or does it stress the practical application of knowledge and skills?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does the program offer real work experience such as practica or internships?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the average length of time that students spend in the program?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">May I speak with students in the program so that I can learn about their experiences?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Faculty<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who are the faculty and what are their credentials?\u00a0 Do they hold degrees in fields of expertise from leading universities?\u00a0 What awards, grants and special recognition have they earned?\u00a0 What have they published?\u00a0 What research projects have they conducted?\u00a0 Do they hold chairs or professorships?\u00a0 Does the department have nationally or internationally known scholars in the field?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the gender and ethnic representation of faculty in the department?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do senior graduate faculty teach graduate students?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the size of the faculty and the faculty\/student ratio?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Cost and financial aid<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the tuition and fees? For U.S. state universities, what is tuition for non-residents?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What financial aid is available &#8212; loans, scholarships, internships, or work study?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are there teaching and research assistantships? How many are awarded annually? What are the criteria for choosing recipients?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the process and what are the deadlines for applying for financial aid?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Other factors to consider<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Geographic location<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0 where do I want to live for several years?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Career assistance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0 what career assistance is available? Where are graduates employed? What happened to last year\u2019s graduates?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Housing<\/b><span>: is there campus housing for graduate students or assistance in locating off-campus housing?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__imagetext panel panel-imagetext site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"imagetext\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner site-section__inner--no-padding\">\n\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__no-gutters  site-panel__imgtxt-img-right\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<figure  class=\"c-image c-image--rect\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" alt=\"_MG_1535\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/MG_1535.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1260px) 1260px, 100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/MG_1535.jpg?resize=520%2C300&#038;ssl=1 520w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/MG_1535.jpg?resize=820%2C600&#038;ssl=1 820w, \nhttps:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2020\/09\/MG_1535.jpg?resize=1120%2C900&#038;ssl=1 1120w\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col site-grid__col-safari-fix\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__imgtxt-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"c-text\">\n\n\t<h2 class=\"site-section__title h3\" id=\"applying-to-graduate-school\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Applying to graduate school<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-text__desc t-content\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"content\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying to graduate school takes time, a significant amount of time. The best advice is to start early and to follow the steps below, which outline the process that students typically follow when applying to graduate school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may also want to take a look at the following article, <a href=\"https:\/\/lsa.umich.edu\/content\/dam\/psychassets\/psychdocuments\/MajorInBCNPsych\/Kisses%20of%20Death.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cKisses of Death in the Graduate School Application Process,\u201d<\/a> which surveyed admissions committees for graduate degrees in psychology and summarizes the characteristics on applications that decrease an applicant\u2019s chance of being accepted to a program in psychology. The advice applies well beyond degrees in psychology, and we recommend that you take the time to reflect on the perspective offered by the admissions committees surveyed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default site-section site-panel__accordion panel panel-accordion site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"accordion\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-section__inner l-wrapper \">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"is-style-default site-section__header\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"is-style-default site-section__title h3\" id=\"application-requirements\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Application requirements<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid site-grid__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\n<figure class=\"is-style-default c-caption\">\n\n\t<figure  class=\"is-style-default c-caption__img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"is-style-default \" alt=\"Erin Scott for St Olaf\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/files\/2019\/07\/Polaris06482489.jpg?resize=600%2C350&#038;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"is-style-default t-content\" data-name=\"content\" data-index=\"0\" data-autop=\"true\" data-livetext>\n\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you\u2019ve decided to go to graduate school, you will most likely need to complete the following components for your application.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"is-style-default accordion site-panel__accordion-items\" data-depth=\"0\" data-name=\"accordions\" data-livetext role=\"tablist\" aria-multiselectable=\"true\" data-js=\"accordion\">\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-0\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-0\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCompleting the Application (U.S. and International Graduate Schools)\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fill out the application form clearly and accurately. Proofread for typographical and grammatical errors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be consistent in spelling out your full legal name on all forms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is difficult to proofread forms online. We highly recommend printing out the application and all other online forms or essays and proofreading them in hard copy. If that isn\u2019t possible, ask someone else to review your online applications for errors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>To apply to schools outside the U.S., please review the checklist here:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"is-style-default btn\" style=\"width: 30%;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usnews.com\/education\/best-global-universities\/articles\/2019-10-22\/a-checklist-for-earning-a-degree-abroad\">Article<\/a><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-1\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-1\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGraduate Record Examination (GRE)\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General and Subject tests are required by many master\u2019s and doctoral programs. Please note that some schools accept the Miller Analogies Test instead of the GRE.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn more about the GRE at the test\u2019s official website: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ets.org\/gre\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.ets.org\/gre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">School catalogues will specify whether you need to take the GRE, and they will often indicate the score needed to be a competitive applicant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check the registration deadlines for the GRE. If you do not register in time, you may need to pay extra for the exam, or you may need to take it at a later date.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are receiving substantial financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office to learn if you are eligible for a test fee waiver.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most tests are computer-based, and so seek out resources that allow you to practice online.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some students enroll in a test preparation course if they need support preparing, with the most popular companies being Kaplan <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/gre\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/gre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and The Princeton Review <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.princetonreview.com\/grad\/gre-test-prep\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.princetonreview.com\/grad\/gre-test-prep<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0 Although these programs are expensive, some students find them to be valuable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many students study on their own with preparation guides, which you can access through the Piper Center.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Familiarize yourself with the layout and content of the exam.\u00a0 Take several practice tests or \u201ctrial runs\u201d before you actually take the test. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-2\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-2\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLetters of Recommendation \t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most graduate schools require 2-3 letters of recommendation, which are typically written by faculty members.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request letters well in advance of the application deadline.\u00a0 Faculty members often write on behalf of many students, and writing a good letter takes time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are on campus, schedule an appointment to speak in person to faculty members from whom you\u2019d like a letter.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you reflect on who might write a letter for you, consider people who<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Know you well, such as a faculty member with whom you\u2019ve taken several classes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a high opinion of your ability to do well in graduate school<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are knowledgeable about the programs to which you\u2019re applying<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will be able to meet your deadlines<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not sure whether a faculty member will be able to write a strong letter on your behalf, don\u2019t be afraid to ask. Faculty members will be honest with you.\u00a0 Having a faculty member decline to write for you is much better than having a weak recommendation as part of your application.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you need support in talking about which faculty members to ask, speak to your faculty advisor or talk to a Piper Center career coach.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Letter writers appreciate receiving the following materials, which will enable them to write a better letter for you:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deadlines for each of your applications and specific instructions as to how to complete the relevant letters<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A statement about the program to which you\u2019re applying and why. You can share your personal statement or statement of purpose if it is finished or if you have a good, carefully revised working draft<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Copies of work that you have done for the faculty member<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A curriculum vitae or resume<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A transcript<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is your responsibility to ensure that your application &#8212; including receipt by the school of all letters of recommendation &#8212; is completed by the deadline.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We strongly advise that you follow up with your recommenders to confirm that your letters have been submitted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once your application is complete, write a note to your recommenders thanking them for their time, and keep them up to date on your plans.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For an excellent summary of how and when to ask for letters of recommendation, read these guidelines from the St. Olaf English Department. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/english\/how-to-ask-a-professor-for-a-letter-of-recommendation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/english\/how-to-ask-a-professor-for-a-letter-of-recommendation\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-3\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-3\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCurriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume?\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For your application to graduate or professional school, you will want to create a curriculum vitae (a Latin phrase meaning \u201cthe course of life\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A curriculum vitae &#8212; also known as a C.V. &#8212; differs from a resume in the following way: whereas a resume focuses on your achievements and work history, a C.V. is typically a longer document (2 or more pages) that focuses on your academic accomplishments,\u00a0 research, and your educational and academic background.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/how-to-guides\/resume-guide-2\/what-is-the-difference-between-a-resume-and-a-curriculum-vitae-cv\/\">What is the difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae<\/a><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-4\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-4\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPersonal Statements and Statements of Purpose\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"4\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most applications to graduate school require at least one essay supporting your candidacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important piece of advice that we can offer is to read the <\/span><b>prompt<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or set of directions for the essay) very, very carefully. If a prompt has several parts, you may want to create an outline so that you make sure to include all information requested.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may be asked to write one or more of the following essays:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Statements of purpose<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Statements of purpose typically focus on your preparation and previous research, the research you propose to do in graduate school, and the research of the faculty with whom you want to study<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn more about statements of purpose, please watch the video, <\/span><b>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1EoisH31AmY6Y2MhtzOuCIkWQU6X1ZaVW\/view?usp=drive_link\">Graduate School \u2013 Statements of Purpose<\/a>\u201d<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Personal statements<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal statements are typically reflective essays that focus on the personal story and experiences that have led you to choose graduate school<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may come across a prompt that asks for content much closer to that typically found in a statement of purpose\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn more about personal statements, please watch the video, <\/span><b>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1AhH1GdAEnEjT7HKjeb7m376w7EYPf0j9\/view?usp=drive_link\">Graduate School \u2013 Personal Statements<\/a>\u201d\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following Piper Center coaches can provide you with support:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Leslie Moore: graduate and professional school, law school, graduate essays<\/li>\n<li>Dana Rechtzigel: medical school, other health programs<\/li>\n<li>Paul Edwards: graduate school in STEM subjects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can make appointments with these coaches on <a href=\"https:\/\/stolaf.joinhandshake.com\/login\">Handshake<\/a>.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n            <article  class=\"is-style-default accordion__row site-panel__accordion-item \" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" id=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-5\" aria-controls=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-5\">\n        \t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"is-style-default accordion__header site-panel__accordion-title clearfix\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"title\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n        \t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <span class=\"is-style-default accordion__header-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOther types of graduate school essays\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                <\/button>\n                <div\n\t\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-header-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\t class=\"is-style-default accordion__content site-panel__accordion-content context-content t-content \"\t\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-69e69cd636af5-content-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"5\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-name=\"accordion_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\tdata-livetext\n                >\n\t\t\t\t\t                    <div class=\"is-style-default accordion__content-inner context-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Statements about diversity, equity and inclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">The prompt focuses on the desire of institutions to admit students with a diverse range of perspectives, beliefs and lived experience who will contribute to creating a vibrant and inclusive community.<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\">Possible responses range from statements about values, religious or political beliefs, to stories about identity, including race, ethnicity, gender and other identities, to reflections on service, innovation or similar activities.<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn more about this type of essay, please click on this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/statements-about-diversity-equity-and-inclusion\/\"><b>link<\/b><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Statements about special circumstances or hardships<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prompt for this type of essay asks applicants to share any experiences of hardship (immigration issues, family matters, health-related challenges, academic challenges, etc.) that may have influenced their academic success or path toward graduate school.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To learn more about this type of essay, please click on this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/the-special-circumstances-or-hardship-essay\/\">link<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following Piper Center coaches can provide you with support:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Leslie Moore: graduate and professional school, law school, graduate essays<\/li>\n<li>Dana Rechtzigel: medical school, other health programs<\/li>\n<li>Paul Edwards: graduate school in STEM subjects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You can make appointments with these coaches on <a href=\"https:\/\/stolaf.joinhandshake.com\/login\">Handshake<\/a>.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__explore panel panel-explore site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"explore\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper  explore\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\n    <div class=\"site-panel__explore-chevron site-panel-shape-bbc--teal-navy\"><\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-section__content site-panel__explore-content\">\n\n        <div class=\"t-content site-panel__explore-desc site-grid__col site-grid__col--flex-2\">\n            <h2 class=\"site-section__title h3\" id=\"funding-your-graduate-study\" data-name=\"title\" data-livetext data-depth=\"0\" data-index=\"0\">Funding your graduate study<\/h2>\n\n            <p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attending graduate school in the United States can be expensive, and as you think about applying, you will need to consider how you will fund your graduate education.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Applying early (as institutions often dispense financial aid on a first-admitted, first-served basis) and undertaking intensive research on sources of funding are critical steps that you will need to take to give yourself the best possible chance of securing funding.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/funding-your-graduate-study\/\">Learn more<\/a> about <strong>significant changes to federal funding<\/strong> and <strong>sources of funding<\/strong>, which include grants &amp; fellowships.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n            <\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__faculty_staff panel panel-faculty_staff site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"faculty-staff\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--bottom-padding-none faculty-staff\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<article class=\"c-faculty c-faculty--full\">\n\t<div class=\"c-faculty__img\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/stofaces\/face.cfm?username=moore8&#038;v=E7C1B19&#038;fullsize\" alt=\"Leslie Moore\" \/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"site-grid__col c-faculty__info\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"c-faculty__name h3\">\n\t\t\tLeslie Moore\n\t\t\t<template data-size=\"24px\" data-email=\"moore8@stolaf.edu\" data-sto-pronunciation><\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-faculty__pronouns\">(no pronouns)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__wrapper c-faculty__detail\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"c-faculty__title site-grid__col\">Associate Director, Career Development and Coaching, Pre-Law, Graduate and Professional School<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-group\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-faculty__icon icon icon-location\"><\/span><span class=\"c-faculty__location\">Tomson Hall 270E<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-letter\">P<\/span><span class=\"c-faculty__ext\">507-786-3143<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-letter\">E<\/span><a class=\"c-faculty__email\" href=\"mailto:moore8@stolaf.edu\">moore8@stolaf.edu<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"c-faculty__contact-item c-faculty__hours\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOffice Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Schedule via <a rel='nofollower noreferrer' href='https&#x3a;&#x2f;&#x2f;stolaf.joinhandshake.com&#x2f;appointments&#x3f;page&#x3d;1&amp;per_page&#x3d;25&amp;sort_direction&#x3d;desc&amp;sort_column&#x3d;default&amp;staff_members&#x25;5B&#x25;5D&#x3d;20892135'>Handshake Appointments<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn--grey btn--xs c-faculty__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/profile\/moore8\">View Profile \u2192<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<ul class=\"list-unstyled c-faculty__departments\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"c-faculty__department\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/directory\/search?department=Piper+Center+for+Vocation+and+Career\">Piper Center for Vocation and Career<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<article class=\"c-faculty c-faculty--full\">\n\t<div class=\"c-faculty__img\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/stofaces\/face.cfm?username=rechtz1&#038;v=2BFA8F1&#038;fullsize\" alt=\"Dana L Rechtzigel\" \/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"site-grid__col c-faculty__info\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"c-faculty__name h3\">\n\t\t\tDana L Rechtzigel\n\t\t\t<template data-size=\"24px\" data-email=\"rechtz1@stolaf.edu\" data-sto-pronunciation><\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-faculty__pronouns\">(she, her, hers)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__wrapper c-faculty__detail\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"c-faculty__title site-grid__col\">Associate Director, Career Development and Coaching, Pre-Health<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-group\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-faculty__icon icon icon-location\"><\/span><span class=\"c-faculty__location\">Tomson Hall 270L<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-letter\">P<\/span><span class=\"c-faculty__ext\">507-786-3249<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-letter\">E<\/span><a class=\"c-faculty__email\" href=\"mailto:rechtz1@stolaf.edu\">rechtz1@stolaf.edu<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"c-faculty__contact-item c-faculty__hours\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOffice Hours: M-F by Appointment in Handshake&#x3b; Drop In&#x27;s&#x3a; Thursdays 3-5pm <a rel='nofollower noreferrer' href='https&#x3a;&#x2f;&#x2f;stolaf.joinhandshake.com&#x2f;appointments&#x3f;page&#x3d;1&amp;per_page&#x3d;25&amp;sort_direction&#x3d;desc&amp;sort_column&#x3d;default&amp;staff_members&#x25;5B&#x25;5D&#x3d;20892135'>Make An Appointment<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn--grey btn--xs c-faculty__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/profile\/rechtz1\">View Profile \u2192<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<ul class=\"list-unstyled c-faculty__departments\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"c-faculty__department\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/directory\/search?department=Piper+Center+for+Vocation+and+Career\">Piper Center for Vocation and Career<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<article class=\"c-faculty c-faculty--full\">\n\t<div class=\"c-faculty__img\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/stofaces\/face.cfm?username=edward10&#038;v=DFB66BB&#038;fullsize\" alt=\"Paul Edwards\" \/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"site-grid__col c-faculty__info\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"c-faculty__name h3\">\n\t\t\tPaul Edwards\n\t\t\t<template data-size=\"24px\" data-email=\"edward10@stolaf.edu\" data-sto-pronunciation><\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-faculty__pronouns\">(he, him, his)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__wrapper c-faculty__detail\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"c-faculty__title site-grid__col\">Associate Director of Career Development and Coaching, STEM<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-group\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-faculty__icon icon icon-location\"><\/span><span class=\"c-faculty__location\">Tomson Hall 270F<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-letter\">P<\/span><span class=\"c-faculty__ext\">507-786-3783<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-letter\">E<\/span><a class=\"c-faculty__email\" href=\"mailto:edward10@stolaf.edu\">edward10@stolaf.edu<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"c-faculty__contact-item c-faculty__hours\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOffice Hours: Schedule via <a rel='nofollower noreferrer' href='https&#x3a;&#x2f;&#x2f;stolaf.joinhandshake.com&#x2f;appointments&#x3f;page&#x3d;1&amp;per_page&#x3d;25&amp;sort_direction&#x3d;desc&amp;sort_column&#x3d;default&amp;staff_members&#x25;5B&#x25;5D&#x3d;20892135'>Handshake Appointments<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn--grey btn--xs c-faculty__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/profile\/edward10\">View Profile \u2192<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<ul class=\"list-unstyled c-faculty__departments\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"c-faculty__department\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/directory\/search?department=Piper+Center+for+Vocation+and+Career\">Piper Center for Vocation and Career<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<article class=\"c-faculty c-faculty--full\">\n\t<div class=\"c-faculty__img\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/stofaces\/face.cfm?username=cahoon&#038;v=B2A6EFF&#038;fullsize\" alt=\"Kirsten Cahoon\" \/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"site-grid__col c-faculty__info\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"c-faculty__name h3\">\n\t\t\tKirsten Cahoon\n\t\t\t<template data-size=\"24px\" data-email=\"cahoon@stolaf.edu\" data-sto-pronunciation><\/template>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-faculty__pronouns\">(she, her, hers)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__wrapper c-faculty__detail\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"c-faculty__title site-grid__col\">Director of Piper Center<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-group\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"c-faculty__icon icon icon-location\"><\/span><span class=\"c-faculty__location\">Tomson Hall 270N<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-letter\">P<\/span><span class=\"c-faculty__ext\">507-786-3843<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-faculty__contact-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-letter\">E<\/span><a class=\"c-faculty__email\" href=\"mailto:cahoon@stolaf.edu\">cahoon@stolaf.edu<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"c-faculty__contact-item c-faculty__hours\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOffice Hours: Schedule via <a rel='nofollower noreferrer' href='https&#x3a;&#x2f;&#x2f;stolaf.joinhandshake.com&#x2f;'>Handshake Appointments<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn--grey btn--xs c-faculty__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/profile\/cahoon\">View Profile \u2192<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<ul class=\"list-unstyled c-faculty__departments\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a class=\"c-faculty__department\" href=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/directory\/search?department=Piper+Center+for+Vocation+and+Career\">Piper Center for Vocation and Career<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<script defer async src=\"https:\/\/www.stolaf.edu\/stofaces\/name.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2110,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-27722","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2110"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27722"}],"version-history":[{"count":200,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49394,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/27722\/revisions\/49394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}