Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

On behalf of everyone at Thomas Edison State University, we hope that students affected by the wildfires in Southern California remain safe. The University is offering accommodations to students affected by the wildfires:

  • Students who are directly impacted by the fires and who are currently registered in courses for the November 2024, December 2024 and January 2025 terms have the option of receiving a free eight-week course extension without mentor approval; or, a 100% tuition credit for their course(s) to a future term. Affected students should submit a Request for Course Extension Form or a Request for Course Withdrawal Form indicating “Southern California wildfires” as the reason for the request. Please note that TECEP exams in these terms cannot be extended, nor credited for tuition after the exam has been taken.
  • Impacted students who are currently on a course extension for the September 2024 and October 2024 terms can request a second eight-week extension on their current term at no additional cost.

Request an Accommodation: Students affected by the wildfire and evacuations who need an accommodation should contact the Office of the Registrar by email at registration@tesu.edu or by phone at 609-777-5680. Accommodation requests should be submitted by January 24th. Requests after that date can be accommodated if the student provides documentation of the reason for the late request.

Preparing for Graduate and Professional School

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The graduate or professional school application process also requires effort, attention to detail, persistence and follow through. Plan backwards from when you hope to start:

  • At least 18 months prior to when you plan to start
    • Determine if graduate/professional school is right for you:
      • Research educational expectations for your career field;
      • Consider your level of commitment to the field of study (it should be high);
      • Consider whether graduate school fits into your life circumstances.
    • Identify the program type you wish to pursue.
    • Identify admission testing requirements, typically:
      • Business – GMAT
      • Dental School – DAT
      • Law – LSAT
      • Medical School – MCAT
      • Veterinary School – GRE General
        • some require GRE Biology
        • some will allow the MCAT in place of the GRE General
      • Most other programs requiring admissions testing — GRE General

    Note: Verify the requirements for each program you are interested in as they can vary.

  • One year prior to starting

    • Identify specific programs of interest
      • Location
      • Ability to enhance your outcomes at the conclusion
        • School/program reputation
        • Program’s success rate in placing people in the types of jobs for which you are interested
        • Whether there are faculty with your academic interests that will be able to mentor you
      • Cost
        • Total cost for attendance
        • Options for financial support
    • Begin requesting letters of recommendation (need three-to-five letters)
    • Develop a calendar of admissions’ deadline dates
    • Take any required admission testing (taking one year out allows you time to retake if necessary)
    • Identify funding options
      • File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – though there is less money for graduate school
      • Ask the institution about:
        • Grants and Scholarships — money offered a student for educational expenses, with no repayment or work associated
        • Fellowships — stipends or tuition support, with no repayment or work associated; awarded based on merit or need
        • Assistantships — financial assistance offered as remuneration for part-time work on the campus
          • Research Assistants — support a faculty member in their research
          • Teaching Assistants — either teach a course or support a faculty member in the teaching of a course; may provide grading, small group lessons, exam proctoring
          • Graduate Assistant — work for an office/department in a paraprofessional role

  • Up to six months prior to starting

    • Complete admissions applications
      • Write personal statements
      • Have your personal statement reviewed by Career Development
    • Complete funding applications