michigan girl

Correction: I meant to write Direct Unsubsidized Loans first in my last post

Federal Perkins Loans are available to students with great financial need (zero to low EFC; I believe up to $8,000 per year for graduate/professional students). However, many institutions do not award the full amount of Perkins Loans to graduate/professional students (especially those attending public universities with lower tuition and fees for in-state students). Most students who qualify for financial need receive the Direct Subsidized Stafford loans first, then may receive a partial federal Perkins loan if they are eligible based on the total cost of attendance of the institution.

I want to mention that the amount of homework depends on specialization. Macro specializations (community organization, organizational development, and policy and evaluation) tend to require more research papers and case analysis papers than clinical specializations.

Like the previous poster, time management will be more important than ever. The courses will fly by very fast, and you won't have to wonder when will a course end. I went to college on a quarter system, so it's important not to fall behind and procrastinate on assignments. Quarter systems can be good because a bad or boring course will end more quickly and you can take a greater variety of courses that intrigue you, but it also means that you must stay on task with your assignments.

"I need an advice on student loans. I'm admitted for the Masters Program for Fall 2013 and i was offered Subsidized and Graduate Plus loans." This doesn't make any sense. Graduate students currently are only eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans ($20,500 max). After the Direct Unsubsidized Loans, you can apply for Graduate PLUS Loans (up to the full cost of attendance, including living expenses) separately on the StudentLoans.gov website. Please review your financial aid reward and talk to a representative at the Financial Aid office so that you are fully covered (tuition + housing + living expenses) for the school year.

Each school determines the minimum credits required to maintain at least half-time status (and eligibility for financial aid). For instance, you may find that your school requires four credits per semester to maintain half-time status. In that case, do not fall underneath that threshold.

Get an on-campus job so that you have extra income and can still focus on your schoolwork and field practicum.

I think MSW programs in California require the GRE. Other states do not require the GRE for admission.

I lived with a roommate for four years. It's not the most ideal situation (clashes will occur often), but it made sense for me financially. I am now in the financial position where I can afford to live on my own. If you are independently wealthy, I say go for living on your own. If you want to set long-term goals and save money, go with roommates.

If you are in a master's program with an internship/practicum requirement, then I do not recommend the heavy workload. It was difficult enough for me to take four classes in my master's program(s)! I never took more than 12 credits of courses for a letter grade. Graduate school sets the bar much higher academically than what you ever experienced in college. Graduate coursework is more intense (heavy workload on readings) and requires a lot of critical thinking and creativity (especially the essays and research papers).

Some universities provide (free or low-cost) business cards to current students. You may want to investigate your school's policy about business cards.

JBums1028, Michigan's program is theory-based because master's students and doctoral students often take courses together. I see this as a major advantage of the higher education program. While doctoral students may have different final assignments, all students are required to complete the readings and participate in class discussions. I have actually learned a lot from the doctoral students, and have pushed myself intellectually in designing my own assignments. In return, master's students get exposure to educational research, critical thinking, and improved writing skills. As I stated previously, this is good academic preparation for doctoral study (if you plan to pursue that route). Some Michigan students were able to get internships in an academic advising role. Majority of the positions are in academic and student affairs settings. Accepted students interview for campus positions in the spring and register for classes in the summer.

I am a current student at the University of Michigan. I actually like the theoretical strengths of the master's program. I believe that the coursework has prepared me well for doctoral studies (should I plan to apply). The theories and interventions will help you gain a better understanding of how students think, thrive, and succeed in college.

In Michigan, the best higher education and student affairs programs (in terms of prestige) would be Michigan and Michigan State. However, there are other good higher education master's programs in the area: Bowling Green State University (Toledo, OH) Central Michigan University Eastern Michigan University Grand Valley State University Oakland University Western Michigan University

If you rent the textbook, you must return it in similar condition. When you buy the textbook, you can write notes and highlight inside it since it belongs to you. If you plan to re-sell it, it's best to leave it in like new or very good condition (minimal highlighting) for optimal resale price.

If you haven't done this already, apply for the GradPLUS loans. It will cover up to your cost of attendance. It's better than private loans.

This is general advice for prospective students: If you live in a state with a reputatble higher education/student affairs master's program, apply to that program so that you won't graduate with a lot of student loans! This is extremely important if you plan to remain in the state/region after earning the master's degree.

I would also add UPenn on your list -- a friend of mine currently enrolled at UPenn told me that there is a civic engagement graduate assistantship through Civic House.

As I stated previously in this thread, it is easier to find cheaper apartments the further away from campus. The best time to search for housing is April/May period (most units in excellent condition will be gone by the end of June). Any housing within a mile radius of campus will exceed $1,000/mo. If you want to live closer to the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti border, you can find more affordable apartments with reasonable rents and amenities (free parking, free heat, free water, balcony, etc.) in the $700-900/mo range. Another caveat is that most large supermarkets are located on the fringes of the city near the major expressways. If you are not bringing a car, you may want to consider how you will have the means to retrieve groceries. The public bus system in Ann Arbor is good, but literally restricts service on the weekends.

If you are interested in working with individuals and families, I recommend majors related to psychology and human development. If you are interested in working with communities, organizations, and policy, I recommend majors related to sociology and public policy.

One of the first things you should do is look up higher education/student affairs master's programs in the state(s) that you wish to study or work. Then, narrow down the master's programs to a list that matches your professional goals. Eliminate programs that have stringent GPA and GRE requirements (GPA > 3.0). If they offer special consideration (value your post-college work experience rather than your grades), you should include those in your list. I hope this helps. http://www.naspa.org/career/gradprograms/

Thanks for your insight, crossedfingerscrossedeyes. I contacted the academic records department, and it seems the 400-level course that I want to take also counts as graduate credit! My university allows some 400-level courses to count for undergraduate or graduate credit. So no petition paperwork is needed. I am relieved!

Next month, I will enroll in a self-paced social work licensing exam prep course. Before I take the exam, how many months should I focus on studying the material? I will have to refresh my memory on some key content areas since I finished my MSW program in 2011.

I would love to purchase a Android tablet (the Samsung ones are really nice) when I can afford the service (you will still need a carrier for the wireless Internet). It would be nice to have a small computer that fits inside my purse to check email, maps, and the Internet. It's a neat organizer that supplements a laptop/desktop. My laptop of four years has survived me well throughout graduate school. I recommend online storage cloud systems (Skydrive, Dropbox, Box.net) and/or external hard drive to save old files so that the laptop's memory doesn't become slow over time. Please (I cannot stress this enough) invest in a good antivirus system!! Since I switched to an excellent antivirus program, I haven't had viruses or malware in nearly three years. In my home office, I have a 20" wide-screen external monitor where I hook my laptop for larger view and external wireless keyboard and mouse for extra usability (laptop keys are too flimsy for my hands) on my desk. So, my laptop works as a desktop (when I am at home). Lastly, I also recommend a laptop cooling pad. It really does prevent your laptop from overheating after hours of long use.

abberant, I am the type of person that prefers to receive credit for my work, especially if the cours will enhance my knowledge and skills about a topic in my area of interest.