Graduate School Fair hosts programs from across U.S.

Graduate school representatives from about 70 graduate schools across the nation, and in a wide variety of disciplines, will converge at the ASU Annual Graduate School Fair on Nov. 5. Students will have an opportunity to learn about particular schools, ask questions and gain an early start on the graduate school application process.

Some of the departments participating from ASU will include Biological Design, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, W. P. Carey School of Accountancy, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

In the current economic environment, it makes sense to consider additional education as an alternative to obtaining career-related employment immediately upon graduation, says Elaine Stover, associate director of ASU Career Services on the Tempe campus. "When we surveyed the graduating students from May 2009 about their post-graduation plans, 17 percent of the undergraduates indicated they had not pursued employment because they were planning to continue their education."

The Graduate Fair will provide a one-stop location to gather information, ask questions and expand your network of contacts says Jennifer Cason, director of Graduate Support Initiatives at ASU's Graduate College. "The graduate school application process can vary at every institution. Face-to-face networking is priceless, especially at large institutions."

The Annual Graduate School Fair will be held in the Arizona Ballroom of the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 5. The event is co-sponsored by ASU's Career Services and the Graduate College. A list of participating graduate schools is available at http://career.asu.edu/nacelink/guestlink.asp.

For more information on graduate school preparation and requirements, workshops are available in the Explore Graduate School Seminars (EGSS) throughout the year. Making the Most of the ASU Graduate School Fair Seminar on October 29 will provide tips on navigating the Annual Graduate School Fair. The session will be at 4 p.m. at the Student Services Building, room 329, on the Tempe campus.