SUNY Oswego offers over 30 Graduate Programs and Advanced Certificates in many disciplines.
Search for graduate programs available at all SUNY schools. Apply directly to the campus of your choice.
Once you've made the decision to attend graduate school, focus on applying. Planning ahead and staying organized will be key to your success!
See some of the types of funding sources that are available for graduate school students.
Once you have reflected on the reasons why you may want to pursue grad school, it's time to start considering where to go. The links below can help you get started. Select an option and search for a program, institution, or location. Connect with one of our Career Coaches for additional options and assistance with your search.
Planning ahead is key in the graduate/professional school application process. Use the general timeline below to help guide you through the application process.
An admissions or entrance exam may be required for graduate school, depending on the program you're looking into. Entrance exams are field-specific. Read a description of the most common exams below and find resources to help you prepare. As a SUNY Oswego student/alumni, you have free access to Peterson's Test and Career Prep resources—be sure to check it out!
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), a standardized test required by the vast majority of business schools because it provides a measure of an applicant's academic ability. The GMAT test does not include any questions that gauge your business knowledge. The GMAT test is computerized and administered six days each week, 52 weeks per year. While the exam can be taken at virtually any time, it can only be taken once per 31 days and 5 times per year.
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the most common entrance exam for most fields. The GRE General Test is, essentially, the SAT for grad school. It measures your overall scholastic ability, verbal and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day, standardized test administered four times each year at designated testing centers throughout the world. The test is an integral part of the law school admission process in the United States, Canada, and a growing number of other countries. It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. Many law schools require that the LSAT be taken by December for admission the following fall. However, taking the in June or September is often advised.
The Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of science concepts and principles required for the study of medicine.
Recommendation letters are a critical part of your graduate school application. An effective letter should provide a positive and thorough assessment of your potential as a graduate student and/or researcher. Select an option below to read suggested tips and best practices for requesting a letter of recommendation.
Recommendation letters should be written by someone who knows you well academically and can provide an evaluation of your ability to perform and succeed at the graduate level. Faculty members most commonly write letters of recommendation. Consider any professor:
Once someone agrees to write you a recommendation letter, provide them with the following information:
You want to make sure the people writing your letters of recommendation are not rushed. Allow them enough time to write a comprehensive and accurate letter.
If you plan to take some time off before going to graduate school, don’t wait until you want to apply to ask for letters. Your professors could be on sabbatical or you may not be fresh in their minds anymore. You can ask professors for a "general" letter of recommendation before you leave SUNY Oswego. When you are ready to apply to graduate school, contact professors again, and ask them to update your letters.
Send a note of gratitude as soon as recommenders write you a letter. Keep in touch – let you recommender know the status of your application. Be sure to let your recommenders know the final outcome of your graduate school search.
Graduate and professional schools often require a "statement of purpose” or "personal statement" as a part of the application. A personal statement tells who you are, what you value, and how well you will be able to handle graduate school.
The personal statement is one of the most important pieces of your graduate school application because it:
Usually, the purpose of this statement is to persuade the admissions committee that you are an applicant who should be chosen.
If you need some help figuring out what to write, make an appointment with a Career Coach to come up with a plan.
Most graduate students use a mix of funding sources to continue their education. Identifying appropriate sources can take time. Begin by looking at the graduate programs you are applying to. If funding details aren't on their website, contact the program by email or phone to ask.
Assistantships are campus-affiliated work assignments, such as teaching or research, that provide a stipend and often waive tuition and fees.
Fellowships cover expenses for research or projects, can be single or multiyear, and are based on merit such as grades, GRE scores, publications, and recommendations.
Grants are most often awarded to cover expenses associated with carrying out research or other specific projects, such as travel, materials, or computers.
Loans are available from the government and other private sources. Scholarships are awarded based on criteria such as merit, financial need, or discipline of study.
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