Pre-Graduate

2020-2021 Fall & Spring Hours

Please schedule an appointment with Stephenie McIntyre on Handshake to receive pre-graduate advising.

Join our Listserv(s)

For information on graduate programs, their campus visits, and related events, join one or more of our listservs with your UNC email address:

• For research-focused programs in STEM areas, click this link. [1]
• For research-focused programs in the social sciences, click this link. [2]
• For research-focused programs in the arts & humanities, click this link. [3]
• For professional programs (generally masters programs that are focused on preparation for a professional field rather than for research), click this link. [4]

Program Description

The Pre-Graduate Education Advising Program advises undergraduate students considering a graduate degree in the sciences, humanities, social sciences and some professional arenas. We help clarify the differences in gaining and utilizing a doctoral vs. a master's degree and what opportunities a terminal degree may offer.  The program is primarily responsible for helping students understand what their next steps are in researching and applying to graduate programs, so that they can move forward independently and effectively.  Our advisors are all current graduate students who can give undergraduates a firsthand sense of the graduate school experience.  Whatever year you are in and whatever stage of thinking about graduate school you may be at, we are here to help you.  We give basic information to the following kinds of questions:

• How does graduate school differ from undergraduate education?
• What are some of the advantages of seeking a graduate degree?
• What are the different kinds of graduate degrees and programs?
• How do I prepare for the graduate school application process?

While we are happy to help you with any question you may have about graduate school, most frequently we help students with:

• The application process in general
• Researching and selecting graduate programs
• The GRE and other admissions exams
• Application essays
• Letters of recommendation and building relationships with faculty
• Gap years
• Understanding and researching funding options

Your Question	Office to See First
What is the application process in general?	Pre-Grad Advising
What role do application essays play?	Pre-Grad Advising
Who can help me write/ revise my application essays?	The Writing Center [5]
What role do letters of recommendation play and how do I get the best ones?	Pre-Grad Advising
How do I research and select programs to apply to?	Pre-Grad Advising
Is the GRE important, and how do I prepare for it?	Pre-Grad Advising
Should I go straight to grad school or gain some post-bac experience first?	Pre-Grad Advising
What role do CVs/ resumes play in the application?	Pre-Grad Advising
Who can help my format/ revise my CV/ Resume?	University Career Services [6]
Who can help me with questions on pre-med and other health-care options?	Pre-Health Advising [7]
Who can help me with pre-law questions?	Pre-Law Advising [8]

 

Please contact Stephenie McIntyre if you have any questions.

Schedule an Appointment

Each of our advisors is a current graduate student trained to help you find answers to almost any question you may have about graduate study.  Please be aware, however, that the advisor you see may not have expert knowledge of the specific graduate program(s) you may be considering, as there are hundreds of different kinds of graduate programs.

There are many aspects of graduate study that are true across all fields, and our advisors can help you understand them.  Our advisors can also help you identify the specific people who can answer very specialized questions about the field(s) you are considering and the other specific resources you need.  Researching graduate school can be a long process, and we are here to help you map that process out.

To schedule an appointment online, please follow this link [9] and, once logged in, click on "Appointments" in the menu on the left, then click on "Schedule a New Appointment." Scroll down to "Graduate School Preparation/Application," then select the next convenient time for you.   You may also call 919-962-6507 or send an email to ucs@unc.edu [10] and request an appointment with Pre-Grad Advising.

At the time of your appointment, please come to the second floor of Hanes Hall and check in at the main desk.

Drop-ins are always accommodated when possible!

General Resources for Identifying Programs to Research:

• GradSchools.com [11]
• Peterson's Grad Program Finder [12]
• PhDs.org [13]
• U.S. News Rankings [14]

GRE (Practice Materials are of Varying Quality):

• GRE's Site [15]
• Free Practice Test (ETS - the creators of the test) [16]
• Free Practice Test (Manhattan) [17]
• Free Practice Test (Princeton Review) [18]
• Princeton Review [19]
• UNC Learning Center's [20]

International Graduate Study:

• IIE P [21]ublications [22]

Related Resources at UNC:

• Academic Advising Program [23]
• Accessibility Resources & Services [24]
• Center for Global Initiatives [25]
• Funding Information Portal [26]
• Graduate Student Center [27]
• Learning Center [28]
• McNair Scholars Program [29]
• Moore Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program [30]
• Office for Undergraduate Research [31]
• Pre-Health Advising [32]
• Pre-Law Advising [8]
• Study Abroad [33]
• Undergraduate Retention [34]
• Writing Center [35]