Graduate/Professional School Resources

The Career Center provides graduate school advising, admissions testing information and application workshops. If you have questions about applying for or deciding on a graduate school program, make an appointment to meet with a Career Counselor.Below you will find some helpful Graduate and Professional School Information links.  Some of the following sites are maintained by other universities and are searchable by the public:

General Resources

• CSUSM Office of Graduate Studies and Research promotes graduate education and student research; provides information on CSU scholarships for advanced study.
• Graduate School Tips offers resources to assist students with the graduate school application process.
• California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education is an experience that includes dynamic speakers, engaging workshops, graduate school preparation, and informative conversations with graduate recruiters.

General Program Search

(Please verify that your program is appropriately accredited: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/):

• Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU): Links to many private and independent colleges within California; search directly on college websites for graduate programs. 
• California State University Degrees Search: Search for in-person and online CSU graduate programs.
• GradSchools.com: Allow individuals to search for national and international graduate programs 
• National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: Search for graduate programs nationwide through this government site.
• Peterson’s Guide to Graduate School: Search for graduate programs, scholarships, and test prep information. 
• University of California Degree Search: Search for graduate programs at UC campuses. 

Targeted Program Search

• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP): Click Resources: Student Center for pharmacy education and career information, including link to Pharmacy College Application Service (PHARMCAS), with program directory.
• American Dental Association (ADA): Information about dental careers and programs, and Dental Admission Test (DAT).
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): Information about physical therapist and physical therapist assistant careers and programs.
• American Psychological Association (APA): Advice on applying to psychology graduate programs.
• Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): Information about medical school application process, MCAT exam, and the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS).
• Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC):  Search veterinary schools and link to the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS).
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): Lists accredited social work programs.  Click “Students” for funding opportunities.
• Law School Admission Council (LSAC): Provides information on law school admissions, law school search, and LSAT exam. (same tab)
• MBA.com: Find and compare MBA programs in the United States and internationally. Learn about the GMAT exam.

Test Preparation

• GRE: Information and resources related to GRE General Test
• GMAT Prep Guide - Information and resources related to GMAT General Test
• See Targeted Program Search category above for additional links to field-specific exams.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Purdue Online Writing Lab: Provides tips on writing the CV and how it differs from a resume. 
• University of Pennsylvania CVs: Offers numerous sample CVs for graduate students across disciplines. 
• University of San Diego Sample CVs: Outlines common CV categories in addition to providing sample CVs. 

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

• Accepted.com: Check out the free sample essays in different disciplines. 
• Purdue Online Writing Lab: Provides advice on writing personal statements, including brief examples. 
• Statementofpurpose.com: Tips on starting the statement and sample statements. 

Graduate School Funding and Fellowships

• Cornell University Searchable Fellowship Database: Search fellowships across disciplines.
• Pathways to Science: Programs and fellowships for STEM graduate students
• UCLA Searchable Database: Graduate and postdoctoral funding