University of Pittsburgh TRIO Student Support Services Program

ARTSC 0113 Right Start to College 3

Question Packet #3

Component 3: Graduate School

Graduate/Professional School

Please select TWO graduate school programs that you are interested in pursuing.
Answer the following questions, comparing and contrasting both of your selections within
your answers. Also, please include information about your two chosen graduate schools
in your portfolio.

The two graduate schools that I am going to use for this is the University of
Pittsburghs School of Information Science and Carnegie Mellon Universitys
Information Security and Assurance.
Application/Admission

Name the graduate program and/or major you chose at each college.

University of Pittsburgh Carnegie Mellon University

School of Information Sciences Heinz College of Information System
Masters of Telecommunication Masters of Information Security and
Assurance

What factors are important to you in choosing your programs? (Ex. schools location,
school/program reputation, cost, etc.) What are the pros and cons of each program?

Pitt CMU
Location Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cost Approx. $71,094 (based on $72,245 as per their
6 semesters) website of 6 semesters
How long the programs Going to be changing in Been established for a
been around July 2017 while.

To me, the Pros of Pitt are that I am already familiar with the faculty. However,
knowing the faculty of the iSchool, that is also sort of a con as most of the
professors are not that great. CMU is more expensive, but it is a more well-known
school with a better reputation.

When are the application deadlines for your programs?

Pitt: Rolling admissions but January 15th for priority consideration for Fall term.
CMU: July 1st for Fall term.

What cumulative grade point average is required for acceptance?

Pitt: 3.0
CMU: Not officially reported, but self-reported as an average and median of 3.3.
Which entrance exams are required? What exam scores do you need for acceptance into
these programs?
Pitt: GRE is required unless you are an undergraduate at the iSchool. There are no
scores reported for the program.
CMU: GRE or GMAT: no information is reported on the exam scores.

How can you best prepare for these exams? What resources are available?
1. Take a GRE practice test
2. Set your study schedule
3. Develop study plans
4. Follow the study plan
5. Take the test

You can buy books for the exam that will help you prepare (much like the SAT
books).

Source: http://www.kaptest.com/study/gre/how-to-study-for-the-gre-in-two-months/

What are the prerequisite classes for your selected programs? In addition to the
required prerequisites, what other courses could you take now that will be beneficial?

Pitt: Probability, Calculus, and computer programming

CMU: Object Oriented Programming (Such as Java)

In addition to classroom experiences, what other experiences enhance your application?

(Ex. OCC, volunteering, etc.)
Pitt: Must include a resume- work experience is a plus.
CMU: Must have three years of work experience. Other leadership potential and
professional competence is required as well.

Letters of Recommendation

How many letters of recommendation are required?

Pitt: 2
CMU: 2

What are the requirements with regard to selecting recommenders? (Ex. must have two
faculty members, must have an employer, etc.)
Pitt: Just two people who can evaluate your academic performance or potential.
CMU: Two people: at least one should know you in a professional setting.

Should you waive your rights in a recommendation letter? Why or why not?
I would say no. It seems as if people will question why you are not waiving your
rights like you have something to hide.

Source: https://www.career.cornell.edu/paths/graduate/applying/upload/waiving.pdf

Costs
What is the total cost of each of your selected programs? (Ex. tuition, housing, books,
labs, etc.)
Pitt CMU
Approx. $71,094 (based on $72,245 as per their
6 semesters) website of 6 semesters

What type of financial aid and/or scholarships are available?

Pitt: Federally funded financial aid, SIS funded financial aid
CMU: Merit scholarships, Pittsburgh Regional Leaders Scholarship, Government and
non-profit employment

What assistantships are available at your colleges/universities? Why are assistantships

beneficial to undertake as a graduate student?
Pitt: SIS has many partners that will give assistantships to students.
CMU: None listed

Assistantships are beneficial as it can serve as the monetary support of the

graduate student without having to have a side job. It also helps the University by
letting the graduate student focus on education and research rather than
employment obligations.

Source: https://wku.edu/graduate/aid/ga/

Graduation

What are the requirements needed to graduate from these programs? (Thesis,
oral/written comprehensive exams, internships, etc.)
Pitt: 37 credits, three credits may be in a practicum or a thesis. Thesis is heavily
recommended for people in a research role.
CMU: 144 Units (48 credits), no requirements of a thesis.

Upon graduation, are there additional education or certification requirements? (Ex. BAR
exam, medical board exams)
You can get certifications any time in an IT career. They are not required for all job,
but some jobs will require them.

Gap Year Programs

What are gap year programs/activities that could enhance your graduate school
applications? Provide examples of at least two gap year programs/activities that you
may have an interest in pursuing. If there are requirements for applying, what are they?
AmeriCorps (https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-
nccc)
Perhentian Dive Project: http://ecoteerresponsibletravel.com/portfolio/perhentian-
dive-project/

Requirements:
AmeriCorps: US Citizens, nationals, or permanent resident between 18 and
24.
Dive Project: 18 with a positive attitude and the proper vaccinations.
What are the pros and cons of choosing a gap year program/activity prior to pursuing
graduate school?

Pros: Recharge their batteries, become more mature, find clarity in their life and
gain experience that can put them over the other candidates.

Cons: After leaving school, they may not want to go back. People will enjoy
making money instead of spending it on tuition. They may not go back due to the
extra stress of school.

Source: http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/college-life/a-gap-year-
weighing-the-pros-and-cons/

Post-baccalaureate Programs

What are post-baccalaureate programs? Why would a student choose to pursue this
option?
A post-baccalaureate is a program that allows students who have already earned a
degree to enhance their current science coursework in order to make themselves
more competitive. A student may choose this option if they feel like that may
want to add an additional aspect to their coursework or enhance their skills in
another area. It will also make them more competitive than their peers.

Source: http://careers.ucsc.edu/health/resources/postbaccprog.html

Personal Statement (See resource handouts.)

Please prepare a personal statement that is at least one page in length. (Double-spaced,
1-inch margins, legible font) If possible, use one of the personal statements from the
application materials of the graduate schools in which you are interested. If you are not
able to access this information on the graduate schools web sites, you may also choose
to write a personal statement from the accompanying handout provided by the SSS staff
in class. In addition, if you are having difficulty getting started, you may want to use the
reflection questions provided to assist you in becoming inspired. Please feel free to visit
the Writing Center in OHara Student Center if you need additional assistance in crafting
your personal statement.

For information:

PITT: http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/tele/degrees/mst-program.php
CMU: http://www.heinz.cmu.edu/school-of-information-systems-and-
management/information-technology-msit/curriculum/index.aspx