Developing Financial Savviness
Why it's Important and What you can do NOW to start!
We get it: the financial struggle is REAL at times! Taking out student loans, paying bills, managing expenses, and saving money require strategic planning and decision making. Developing financial savviness takes knowledge, but starting now, as a student, can have a life-long impact!
With that in mind, we interviewed Hannah Sadollah, the Programs Specialist for FinancialSmarts @ UMBC (which she'll talk about in her interview), to shed some light on this important topic.
Extra Credit: Why do you think it is essential for college students to build up their "financial savviness" right now?
Hannah: Education is an investment in yourself. College is an experience and an investment, so make sure you get a high return on investment (ROI) or benefit relative to the cost. Your college experience can still be amazing while you become more financially savvy. There are ways to make lasting memories while saving money, and saving money now will seriously impact your future.
College can be stressful; balancing classwork, extracurricular activities, and social life makes it easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out when throwing personal finances into the mix. Becoming financially savvy can help reduce this stress. For example, hanging out with friends doesn't always have to break the bank. The UMBC Student Events Board (SEB) hosts multiple events (online and in-person) every week like; Karaoke Nights, Yoga sessions, or Glow Dodgeball! Another example is FinancialSmarts @ UMBC which hosts events during hybridMoney Smart Week, where students can win prizes just by attending an event. These are great ways to hang out with friends, meet new people, and save or even win money! Try following groups like FinancialSmarts on social media to learn more about their free events.
Extra Credit: What is one financial topic you recommend college students learn more about?
Hannah: Managing money, specifically savings. As a current student, unexpected costs come up all the time. Whether it's an extra book that you need for class or replacing a missing campus ID, it's crucial to prepare yourself for unexpected or emergency expenses.
In January 2019, Forbes reported that 78% of U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck. This means that these individuals use most of their monthly income on their monthly expenses with no money left over or in savings. This statistic has been exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Don't be part of the statistic! Consider the 50/30/20 model when creating a monthly budget. Plan to spend 50% of your monthly income on fixed costs like; rent, groceries, or transportation. 30% on flex costs like; Eating out or going to concerts. And then allocate 20% of your monthly income to savings or paying back debt. This model makes saving and money management seem like an attainable goal and helps you create a plan to achieve it!
Extra Credit: What is UMBC FinancialSmarts, and what has been the most significant way you've seen undergraduate students utilize it?
Hannah: FinancialSmarts @ UMBC provides students with the tools necessary to make informed and effective decisions about their finances. Managing money is an integral part of your daily life, and we encourage students to be well versed in this vital life skill that many find challenging. The most significant way UMBC students engage with our content is by enrolling in the FinancialSmarts CashCourse. This is a free, self-paced, open enrollment blackboard course that allows students to learn about concepts like budgeting, saving, banking, and the working world. Students can find more information about enrolling in the course on ourwebsite.
In addition to the CashCourse, we encourage students to attend one of our many events during Money Smart Week. I encourage students especially to attend workshops led by our peer money mentors! These are free, fun, and engaging workshops related to budgeting, saving, banking, and repayment of student loans. Students can find more information about our peer lead workshops on ourwebsite. To learn more about these events and Money Smarts Week, please visit the FinancialSmartmyUMBC page.
Extra Credit: What would you say to a student struggling with budgeting their money?
Hannah: Don't give up, nobody's perfect, and we all struggle sometimes. If you're struggling to stick to your budget, try revisiting it and see what areas you might need to tweak to make it more realistic. You can try tracking your spending for a month to see how much you spend in each of your budgeting categories, and that will help you design a more accurate budget for your spending habits. You can even multiply your monthly spending by twelve to see how much you spend in a specific category on average per year! It may change your opinion on the impact of saving money that’s spent on nonessential expenses.
If you're still feeling overwhelmed, check out our CashCoach program. Visit ourwebsite to sign up today.
Extra Credit: What is your best piece of financial advice?
Hannah: Keep learning and asking questions. No one person has all the answers, so there's always more to explore and learn about financial literacy. You will go through various seasons of your life where you will need a different set of financial skills, so it's essential to seek trustworthy guidance and leverage the available resources to you now for free as a student.
The skills you’ll acquire throughout your academic life offer more to your future career than you might realize! As a student, you develop technical skills related to your major. Engaging in a wide range of experiences outside of the classroom will help you build well-rounded, transferable skills to enhance your academic work and make you stand out from the crowd.
By reflecting on some of the following questions, you can start to figure out what types of meaningful experiences could complement the academic field you are pursuing:
What do you consider your overall strengths?
What are some interests you have outside of your academic major?
How would you rate your communication skills?
Do you have any leadership experience?
Do you enjoy working in groups or by yourself?
Do you consider yourself creative?
What’s your approach to problem-solving?
Here are some ways to help you build transferable skills at UMBC!
Join a student organization - Besides being a meaningful way to connect with your peers over shared interests, being involved in a student organization is a great way to take the initiative on projects you care about and work together outside of the classroom. You can also add your voice and find your place within our campus community. You can also stay connected through both virtual and in-person
campus life initiatives!
Connect with the Career Center - Gaining real-world experience through an internship, research, or a co-op experience is one of the best ways to make yourself a competitive candidate for full-time jobs and graduate/professional school. The Career Center offers career advising and counseling, networking events, on-campus recruiting, on-campus interviews, career, professional skills education, and applied learning opportunities (internships, co-ops, and research) to help prepare you to envision your possible future career opportunities!
Consider adding a minor to your degree - Complementing your primary major with a minor or certificate program can be a great way to add extra knowledge and new skills to your bachelor’s degree. This can also be a great way to explore other personal interests you might have as well as make you unique in the eyes of future employers. Exploring programs such as foreign language studies or entrepreneurship can be great additions to any major. Check out all the
possibilities and talk them over with your
advisor!
Get involved with Service Learning and Community Engagement through the Shriver Center – Ever want to apply what you’re learning outside of the classroom? The
Shriver Center has you covered! Through its Service-Learning and Community partnerships, you could step outside the boundaries of the classroom and experience the real world. Through The Shriver Center’s many opportunities, the UMBC community can continue to serve organizations through capacity-building projects and digital delivery of services.
Consider becoming a student worker – UMBC has lots of job opportunities for students. This can be a great way to apply what you’ve learned at UMBC to help other students and gain useful job experience yourself! From tutoring to working in various offices around campus, be sure to check out
UMBCworks and the
Federal Work-Study job list for campus job postings throughout the year!
Share your research - All current undergraduates who have conducted research, scholarship, or creative work in the last year may apply to present their results at the
Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD). URCAD XXVI is now open for applications and will be held this year from April 18-24th. You will be able to view presentations, watch films, see videos of dance and music performances, view artwork, and interact with presenters during the event. Applications are due by Friday, February 18th, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to share your work with our UMBC community!
These are just a few ideas to get you thinking about all the different experiences UMBC offers and how they might benefit your overall success! What experiences at UMBC have helped you build your skillset?
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The skills you’ll acquire throughout your academic life offer more to your future career than you might realize! As a student, you develop technical skills related to your major. Engaging in a...
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Don't Just Follow the Leader, BE a Leader
An exciting aspect of college is the opportunity to take on a leadership role in activities/programs/initiatives that you love. By doing so, you will make a difference in the UMBC community, forge everlasting relationships, and add new, advantageous skills to your resume.
Read on to learn about a few of the countless leadership opportunities UMBC offers.
Note: Expect that some organizations, leadership positions, and jobs will be structured differently due to the virtual nature of our campus community at this time.
Join a Student Organization
Whether a club sport or a sorority/fraternity, you are bound to implement and gain leadership skills, while also becoming part of a supportive family! Serving on an organization's executive board will allow you to enact skills that you will need in the workforce and help you initiate positive changes on campus or in the community. Check out this link for a full list of our incredibly diverse organizations.
Put some extra money in your pocket, and extra skills on your resume. Most student positions promote leadership, teamwork, and responsibility. Log in to your UMBCworks to find open positions.
Still don’t know where to start? Let me give you a hand
Join forces with the SGA! As an undergrad student you’re already a part of the SGA, you might as well assume a role and work hand-in-hand with faculty to implement the change you want to see! The 2021-2022 candidate application is open now.
Campus residents stand up and get involved with the Resident Student Associate (RSA)! UMBC is not just your school, it is your home. Engage with residential life staff to make the most out of your on-campus living experience. Email umbcrsaexec@umbc.edu to find out ways to get involved.
Orientation Peer Advisor (OPA) – Be a part of a close-knit team of students who welcome new students and their families to campus during the summer and winter terms during New Student Orientation.
Welcome Week Leaders (Woolies) – As part of the Woolie team you will serve as a resource to all incoming students during Welcome Week, supporting students in their transition to campus and helping them connect to events and upcoming opportunities.
IHU Peer Facilitator & Academic Peer Advocates – IHU Peer Facilitators are an integral part of all Introduction to an Honor’s University (IHU) courses, assisting instructors in course preparation, lesson implementation and serving as a resource to students throughout their time in the course. The Academic Peer Advocate (APA) Program pairs incoming first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students with trained and compassionate peers dedicated to providing individualized support during their transition to college. Apply to these positions here. Application opens next week through March 16th at noon!
Become a part of the Grit Guides team through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Whether as a student assistant or a tour guide, this position allows you to work with prospective students and share your passion for UMBC! Email Gina Ralston (gralston@umbc.edu) for more information.
Are you an international student? The Global Ambassador Program is a peer-mentoring program at UMBC that seeks to create a welcoming and considerate community for UMBC’s international students.
Join the Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Advising (OAPA) as a Peer Advisor! This may sound like a shameless plug...but I can assure you it’s not. This is in fact a very prideful plug! From a former peer advisor- “Despite being very shy, working as a Peer Advisor has made me self-assured due to the tasks entrusted to me. Not to mention, my interpersonal skills have increased immensely due to the diverse students I interact with and help daily.” Jenika Brown, Class of 2021. We will be hiring new peers at the end of the semester. If you’re interested, you can apply here.
Winter break is finally here!
You worked hard this semester and it doesn’t go unrecognized. Now is the time to get some well-deserved rest and re-charge before the spring semester begins.
It’s easy to binge-watch your favorite tv shows or go down the TikTok rabbit hole, but we’d like to challenge you to do some things that will truly restore you during your winter break.
1. Catch up on sleep!
Did you pull more all-nighters this past semester than you would like to admit? Now is the time to re-establish some good sleeping habits and get the rest you deserve.
2. Do some brainstorming for next semester’s plans.
Take some time to evaluate your fall semester and map out your plan for the spring. How did your course load feel this semester? How did you do in online vs. in-person classes? Did you connect with professors or advisors in your department? Did you seek
academic support when you needed it? This can be a great time to assess your academic plan and make sure you are getting all the support you need to move forward!
If you found yourself too overwhelmed and busy last semester, consider what activities you may need to let go. On the other end, if you feel you had too much time on your hands, consider some
clubs or activities you may be able to get involved in this spring. Many organizations continue to offer regular online and in-person programming for students.
3. Take time to reconnect with family and friends.
It’s the perfect time of year to tell your friends and family that you cherish them! Keep your support system strong and growing into the spring semester. FaceTime the elders in your family and learn more about your family history and heritage. This discovery about your family roots can be the inspiration you need to keep pushing forward when the going gets tough.
4. Eat a good meal! Or two. Or three...
Take a break from your typical college diet and use this time to enjoy some hearty, homecooked meals. Check out
these easy meals for college students!
5. Spend an afternoon exploring the great outdoors!
Yes, it’s a bit cold in the winter, but all you need is some winter gear to enjoy some fresh air and nature. If you call Maryland home, you could explore many of the
state parks that are still open. If you like
skiing, there's lots of great local spots to check out too! And if you aren’t feeling as adventurous, even a walk around your neighborhood can do a world of good!
6. Research a graduate or professional school.
Whether you are just starting to think about grad school or currently working on applications, many schools offer virtual fairs or meetings to prospective students. As you r
esearch graduate or professional programs, make sure you’re aware of all application deadlines and requirements such as personal statements, letters of recommendation, and graduate school admissions exams.
7. Set up an informational interview with a working professional.
Find out what a profession is like and connect with people in your future field by conducting an interview unrelated to a job search. Sample question: “What are the most important qualities for an aspiring pilot/engineer/dance therapist?” Keep a journal to record notes from these experiences. We also have a lot of UMBC alumni for you to connect with through our
Retrievers Connect network!
8. Update and upgrade your resume.
Opportunities sometimes come up quickly, and you want to be ready with that polished resume. Every college student needs a polished resume! Check out
these tips from the Career Center!
9. Research scholarship and internship opportunities.
Are you looking for funding? Check out
Scholarship Retriever, which offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to new and current UMBC students. The Scholarship Retriever lists institutional, merit, financial need, and department scholarships.
Look ahead to summer and get a jump on searching for summer internships, which can provide both $ and valuable experience. The more competitive internships have deadlines in the fall, but some are still open in January-March. If you have already missed a deadline, get all the information so you can apply early next year. Check out some tips for getting started
here!
10. Work on your graduation game plan.
Winter break is an excellent time to create, revise or update your academic plan.
Here are suggestions for a pathway you can take towards graduation, which also includes a helpful planning worksheet! Don’t forget to refer to your myUMBC profile for more academic information!
Wishing you all a restful and well-deserved winter break! We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year!
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Winter break is finally here! You worked hard this semester and it doesn’t go unrecognized. Now is the time to get some well-deserved rest and re-charge before the spring semester begins. ...
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Check out the AOK Library!
Are you ready to prep for exams? Need a quiet place to work on assignments? Looking for resources for your upcoming research paper? Look no further than UMBC’s own
Albin O. Kuhn Library!
Loaded with comfy seating, yummy food, caffeine, helpful staff, as well as peace and quiet and a beautiful view, the AOK Library is the perfect spot for all your academic needs.
Fuel up and get your study on!
Whether it be a painstakingly early morning or a super late night, energy is a must! Thank goodness for
Einstein’s! You can grab a coffee, quick bite, or whatever you fancy—they’re located in the main atrium.
If you need a place to study, head over to the
Retriever Learning Center (RLC) on the first floor- UMBC's 24-hour study space for lively group study, scholarly discussion, collaboration, and academic coaching.
What if you have a presentation for a class coming up? The AOK also has a
Presentation Practice Room designed to help you prep for your presentations. The One-Button Studio app lets you record and playback your talk, which is great for helping you get that extra practice!
Need help in a class? Get assistance from the ultimate study partner, a tutor!
You’re never truly alone at AOK. If you’re struggling in a Math or Science course, stop by the
Math and Science Tutoring Center and the
Computing Success Center, both of which are available for drop-in tutoring and in-depth tutoring appointments. And for all your writing needs, check out the
Writing Center! The Writing Center offers scheduled appointments and is a space dedicated to helping UMBC students with writing in any class at any stage of the writing process. All are located on the first floor of the Library with online tutoring available as well!
Wait, what about help with research? We got you covered! At the AOK, you’ll have access to:
- More than 1.1 million books, remote access to electronic journals, and access to more than 100 databases!
- Access to e-book collections at UMBC and e-book sources online
- More than 12,000 CDs and DVDs, ranging from documentaries and classical music to current U.S. and foreign films and popular music
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Subject librarians who can provide personalized, one-on-one research appointments to help you navigate library resources so you can get organized and get your work done!
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Interlibrary Loan (ILL) – Need a book that UMBC doesn’t have? No problem! ILL lets you request books and other materials from other institutions connected to UMBC’s network and have them sent to you, free of charge!
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Special Collections - The Special Collections department collects materials of enduring historical and cultural value -- housing, preserving, and making accessible materials that are original, rare, unique, fragile, and archival. Contact the staff for on-site as well as remote support!
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The Library Gallery – The Library Gallery presents exhibitions and public programs drawn from UMBC’s Special Collections, emphasizing the history and cultural impact of photography. There’s also lectures, and educational programming sponsored by campus groups throughout the year. Check out current and upcoming exhibitions this year!
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Loaner Laptop Program - This program provides the UMBC community access to Mac, Windows, and Chrome laptops on a first-come, first-served temporary basis.
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Digital Media Lab- The Digital Media Lab provides all UMBC students with tools to create and edit new and re-use existing audio, video, and graphic design objects. There’s equipment available for use within in the space itself and some that can be checked out. Equipment and software are available on a self-serve basis, with access to staff assistance, manuals and online help!
As final exams and the end of the semester draw closer, make sure you check out all the resources available to you in the AOK Library! Follow the
AOK Library on myUMBC and check the
website for any updates! Have more questions? Go visit the staff in the library or use the “Ask a Librarian” chat on the website!
Now go crush the end of the semester! We know you’ll be AOK!!
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Are you ready to prep for exams? Need a quiet place to work on assignments? Looking for resources for your upcoming research paper? Look no further than UMBC’s own Albin O. Kuhn Library! ...
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Overcoming a College Slump
Strategies & resources for a challenging season
You often hear talk of the sophomore slump- a time where students can experience heightened uncertainty
and lower motivation, in addition to second guessing choices they have made in
their first year of college.
However, with all of the uncertainty the pandemic has
brought to our lives, we recognize that this same type of slump is likely
impacting students at all levels – a college
slump, if you will.
Below we lay out strategies and resources for overcoming a
challenging season in college.
Socially, you may
be feeling isolated and/or disconnected from your friends. You may be craving peer
interaction and support in ways you never have before.
It can be hard to take the initial step, but try mixing it
up a bit.
- Get a group of friends together to play a video
game or virtual trivia.
- Organize a small study group. Even if each
person is focused on individual work, having the presence of others with you
can be a big mood booster!
- Is the weather nice? Meet up with a friend to
take a walk/hike or lunch in a park.
Additionally, don’t forget that Campus Life offers opportunities for
student engagement. Check out their myUMBC
page or follow the Student Events Board (SEB)’s for a list of events. Many student organizations are
meeting again in person or are still connecting online.
Academically, you may be feeling a lack of motivation
to attend class or study. You may still face challenges in some of your online
courses, as it may not align with your preferred learning style. You also may
be questioning your choice of major and wondering if you should completely
change your academic path.
-
The Academic Success Center has
great online learning resources, including a series of interactive videos.
Additionally, the ASC offers tutoring services if you
need extra support.
- Check in with your professors during their
office hours or chat with a TA to get assistance with specific questions you
have about your course content.
-
Advisors in the Office for Academic &
Pre-Professional Advising welcome the opportunity to discuss your academic
plans, including any potential major changes you are considering.
Generally speaking, slumps are a normal part of any college
experience. It may seem like everyone around you has things 100% figured out,
but most certainly, that is not the case. It’s what you do in the midst of a
slump that will set the course for your remaining time at UMBC. The solution is almost always to take some
form of action, no matter how small the step. If making social or academic
changes seems too much right now, perhaps a step in the direction of your
mental health and well-being is a better fit. If that’s the case, we encourage
you to visit University
Health Services and Health Promotion or the Counseling Center for support.
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Thu, 04 Nov 2021 10:00:42 -0400
Academic Advising 101 at UMBC
Did you know that every student at UMBC has an assigned academic advisor?
For most students, this will be a professor in your academic major department. Others will work with a professional (full-time) advisor, at least until they have reached their junior year or selected a major. If you are currently exploratory/undecided, you would work with the
Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising.
Something a bit unique to UMBC is that all students are required to meet with their advisor at least once a semester, prior to registration. You will not be able to enroll in classes for the next semester until you get clearance from an advisor!
But let’s back up a bit. What exactly is academic advising?
An academic advisor’s role is to assist you in planning your academic career at UMBC. You can talk to your advisor about:
- Your adjustment to college
- Major and career choices
- Course selection
- Long-term academic planning
- Academic difficulty
- Academic “extras” such as minors, internships, study abroad, etc.
As you may surmise from this list, your advisor is a vital member of your academic support team and someone we recommend you connect with regularly, beyond the required mid-semester check in, to take full advantage of their support.
So how do you find out who your advisor is? Easy.
Below is a link to the department contacts for all majors. The person listed as “advising coordinator” or “advising contact” can help you find out who your advisor is or assign you an advisor:
In preparation for an advising appointment, it’s helpful to review your degree card on your myUMBC Profile. Here you can:
- Develop and update your degree plan
- Check your degree progress
- See how coursework transferred over from your previous institution
- Access suggested four-year pathways for completing your degree program
Additionally, you will want to develop a list of questions/topics to discuss with your advisor in order to give the meeting some structure. To help with that conversation, ask yourself:
- How am I doing in my major? Do I need to make any changes or seek academic support next semester?
- How long will it take me to complete all my coursework?
- Does my academic plan contain all my GEPs, upper-level credits, and writing intensive?
- Should I plan to take a winter class?
- Are there other topics I’m interested in exploring by adding a minor or certificate program?
In terms of spring advising and registration, the schedule of classes will be available on Monday, October 25th. You can review the course offerings and discuss them with your academic advisor when you meet.
Be ready to discuss any outstanding items or questions you might have from previous advising meetings. We also recommend that you take notes (your advisor will as well and you have the ability to access these notes in your Advising History on myUMBC)!
Spring 2022 registration begins
Tuesday, November 2. Your exact registration date depends on the total amount of credits earned. Information regarding your exact registration time is available
here.
Have questions?
Contact the Office of Academic & Pre-Professional Advising at
oapa@umbc.edu.
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Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:32:33 -0400
How to Choose Your Major
Perspective from an OAPA Peer Advisor
Written by Irene Thomas, UMBC '21
College is a time for self-discovery and personal growth. Part of that self-discovery comes from deciding what you see yourself doing in the future, which isn't always easy. You may think, "But that's so far away," "I'm too young to be thinking about that"- although that may be true, having an idea of what you see yourself doing in the future will help you be as academically successful as you can be here at UMBC.
Consider these "Do's" and "Don'ts" for choosing a major:
"DO's" for Choosing a Major:
Get to know all the majors available at UMBC.
Some major fields may be completely unfamiliar because they were not taught in high school. Individualized Study (the "build your own major" major), Health Administration and Policy, Geography and Environmental Systems, and Business Technology Administration are interesting majors students may not have been aware of before arriving at UMBC. There's no harm looking through the list - you never know what you might find!
**SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT**
One timely way to explore all of UMBC's majors is to attend our upcoming Major Event this month!
Educate yourself on potential majors.
It's a good idea to talk to an advisor or current students in the major you're interested in so that you can get a better understanding of the potential courses and paths you may want to pursue in your selected major. Researching on your own is highly recommended, as well.
List 5-8 possibilities based on your interests and aptitudes.
Take courses that are steered towards potential majors you have chosen. Read the entire catalog sections, all the course descriptions, faculty bios, and any other information about these majors available on the Department websites.
"DON'Ts" for Choosing a Major:
Don't let anyone else choose your major for you.
Your parents, friends, and siblings all have ideas about what you should major in, and it is okay to listen to their insights, but ultimately it is essential to make your own choice. You are the student, and you are making the decision that could affect your future career trajectory (at least in the short run – many people change careers throughout their lifetime!).
Don't assume that a college major will necessarily lead directly to a specific type of job.
The skills acquired from college are of a general nature that can be applied to many different professional settings. The workforce is full of people whose undergraduate majors bear only an indirect relationship to the positions they hold.
Don't stick with a major when it is clear that you are performing poorly in the required courses.
If you notice your grades are low in your major, this may be an indication that it is not appropriate for you. Consider other options in which you can be more successful!
Helpful Links
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Written by Irene Thomas, UMBC '21 College is a time for self-discovery and personal growth. Part of that self-discovery comes from deciding what you see yourself doing in the future, which isn't...
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Mon, 04 Oct 2021 21:49:25 -0400
Considering Graduate or Professional School?
Check out some tips for beginning the Application Process!
Are you interested in Graduate or Professional school? As you explore programs and get started on the application process, here are some useful tips to keep in mind!
Take time to find the right program fit!
Is there something in your major or academic program that’s drawing you to consider applying to graduate or professional school? Don’t be afraid to start the conversation with advisors or professors in your academic department to start to think about pathways that might be right for you. UMBC faculty were once where you are right now, and will undoubtedly have great insight about the process or connections to programs that might interest you. Use your networks to your advantage!
Once you research programs that interest you, try to visit those schools – check out in-person and virtual admissions/recruitment events put on by the institutions and connect with the campus. You’ll have the opportunity to explore how the campus is laid out and learn about the surrounding area, housing options, and the studio/classroom/lab facilities. Ultimately, you should be asking yourself, “how is the campus and does it seem like the type of environment I would like to spend time in?”
You’ll also have the chance to connect with program directors, faculty and current graduate students. You’ll want to consider whether or not the program has a professor who shares your research areas of interest. And meeting current students is especially important if your program will use a “cohort” model – meaning you will work with the same people throughout the duration of the program.
Finally, take time to research class options – some programs will provide more flexible schedule options including evening, weekend or online classes, while other programs may be more traditional and have classes throughout the day.
Graduate Admissions
The majority of graduate and professional programs will require you to complete an entrance exam, similar to taking the SAT or ACT when applying to UMBC. See below for which exam you might be expected to take:
- Dental School: DAT (Dental Admission Test)
- Business and Management Schools: GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
- Master’s and Doctoral Programs: GRE (Graduate Record Examination) *Most common graduate admissions exam*
- Law School: LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
- Medical School: MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
- Pharmacy School: PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)
For graduate programs in the Visual or Performing Arts (such as Master of Fine Arts programs), you might need to prepare for an audition or portfolio submission of creative work as well. It’s important to research all the components necessary for any application and make sure you start the application process early!
Letters of Recommendation – ask early and ask people who know you best!
Most applications to graduate or professional school will require you to submit letters of recommendation. Your recommenders should be individuals who know you well, such as a professor who taught you in several courses or a research mentor.
Start by setting up a meeting to ask for a recommendation, which will help emphasize how important the letter is to you and give you the chance to provide context and answer questions your prospective recommender might have.
Allow at least two months prior to the deadline to give your recommenders enough time to complete the recommendation.
Funding Graduate or Professional School
Another important aspect to consider is how exactly you will be funding your graduate or professional school program. The UMBC Career Center does a great job at breaking down the different components associated with
funding your graduate education. It’s important to make sure you understand if there are scholarships, grants, financial aid or graduate assistantships available through the program you are exploring.
See below for some other helpful links as you continue to prepare for your next steps!
Also be sure to check out Grad School 101 – Hosted by the Career Center – on October 14th!
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Wed, 22 Sep 2021 09:47:41 -0400
Wed, 22 Sep 2021 10:44:42 -0400
Welcome Back to Campus!
Tips for returning to our in-person campus community
Welcome back Retrievers! We are excited to have our campus community connecting again in-person. Whether it is your first time joining us, or it’s been a long awaited return, it’s expected that the transition back to campus will impact students in different ways.
You may be apprehensive about returning or you may be ready to jump in full speed ahead. Wherever you are, it is okay! UMBC is prepared to support you and help ensure that your return to campus is a successful one!
Below are some tips as you start the fall semester:
Take care of your emotional and mental well-being.
First and foremost, it’s important to check in with yourself throughout the semester and prioritize your personal health.
Proactively seek academic support.
While it may seem counterintuitive, seeking academic support before you encounter academic difficulty can help provide accountability and a solid foundation for tackling the workload you’ll face during the semester. The Academic Success Center offers a variety of support services, including appointment and drop-in tutoring, the Writing Center, academic success meetings, and much more.
Perhaps over the last year you’ve had time to reflect and are considering an alternative academic pathway. Advisors in the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising (OAPA) welcome the opportunity to discuss your academic plans, including any potential major changes you are considering.
Additionally, consider attending the 4th Annual Major Event, virtually, on October 20th. This is great opportunity to further explore your major options, or connect with faculty & staff in your selected academic department.
Connect with other students in a way that feels right to you.
Building relationships with your peers provides you with an invaluable support network as you navigate back onto campus.
One way to do this is by joining a student organization. This year’s Involvement Fest , on September 9th, is offered in a hybrid format with both a virtual and in-person component.
If you are living on campus, The Office of Residential Life is hosting a variety of programs throughout the semester. There is also programming through the Off Campus Student Services offices for commuter students.
Still unsure about larger gatherings? Don’t hesitate to keep up with virtual study groups, video game sessions or outdoor meetings with a few close friends.
One Final Note: Please call or check a campus office’s website prior to visiting in-person to check their current protocols. While all offices are physically open this fall, some may be operating in a different capacity due to social distancing measures.
Ultimately, give yourself the chance the take this transition at a pace that feels right to you. In trusting yourself, you are sure to adapt well to the return to campus. We hope your semester is a great one!