applying for grad school - ??

[politicalanimal]

I am a junior, majoring in Speech-Language Pathology, at Eastern Illinois University. I don't graduate until spring of 2008, but I would really like to get a start on the graduate school process. Currently, I have a list of about eight schools that I am interested in, but I am not sure where to go from there. This summer I would really like to visit these schools because I feel that would help me make my final decision, but most of the open houses the schools offer are more for the undergraduate students. Should I just email a coordinator in the department and request a tour? Is that too unprofessional? Any information about how I should go about this process would be most helpful! Thank you!

[SoonerKate]

A lot of schools do have graduate weekends or open houses; some also do regular online chats with admissions people, department chairs, etc. -- make sure you're on their mailing list for grad students.

Also, if you're not already going to conferences for your field of study, start now. Become a research assistant for your professors (especially ones that will list you as a co-author!) if you're not already, submit papers to any conferences or journals that allow undergraduates to, attend, and network while you're there.

It's not unprofessional to e-mail a departmental coordinator and request a tour, but you might first go through the graduate college at that school -- typically, they'll have their own program separate from undergraduate recruitment.

[politicalanimal]

A lot of schools do have graduate weekends or open houses; some also do regular online chats with admissions people, department chairs, etc. -- make sure you're on their mailing list for grad students.

Also, if you're not already going to conferences for your field of study, start now. Become a research assistant for your professors (especially ones that will list you as a co-author!) if you're not already, submit papers to any conferences or journals that allow undergraduates to, attend, and network while you're there.

It's not unprofessional to e-mail a departmental coordinator and request a tour, but you might first go through the graduate college at that school -- typically, they'll have their own program separate from undergraduate recruitment.
Thank you so much! I really found all of this very helpful! I am actually doing research right now with two of my instructors, so it is nice to read that I am on the right track. :thumbsup2