Hey, you! Want to go to grad school?

We are not talking to them – the nameless, faceless Audience.

We are talking to you, worrying about finances and time and online classes and homework. In a way, we’re talking to ourselves – the versions of ourselves from a year or so ago, unsure but excited, worried but determined.

Communications-R-Us

Is graduate school for you? Here are some things that we’ve considered and overcome since starting our journey to Marist College’s M.A. in communications:

•  Finding time for classwork
•  Figuring out the online program technology
•  Fear of missing something (graduate school is more self-directed)
• Fear of failure
•  Funding
•  How to create a network/community when you’re not face to face

And the big one: Will my degree be worth it in the end?

You don’t have to listen to those anxious little voices in your head. These are all normal things to worry about, and they’re all things that can be faced and conquered. Marist has a comprehensive financial aid program, and many employers offer tuition assistance. Building communities online is a little different than seeing your classmates every day, but it works if you take it “one interaction at a time,” as team member Janice has noticed. Helen was most reassured by Marist’s reputation, including making it on a Princeton Review list of “50 colleges that create futures.” Kristen does miss the in-person interaction of a traditional classroom, but enjoys the flexibility an online program allows. Lorrie has conquered the work/school/life balance in admirable ways that make the rest of us jealous.

No matter how great a program, there is always room for improvement. Wanda would like to see more variety in majors offered. Kristen would like some study abroad opportunities. A great thing about Marist is their dedication to enhancing their students’ experience and education. Have a concern you want addressed? Feel like something’s missing from their educational approach? Reach out through the student information portal, attend a grad student open house and talk to people who’ve been there, see an advisor – there are ways to get your ideas and questions heard.

This team isn’t nameless or faceless either. We were where you are now. Some of us already have master’s degrees. Some of us have spouses and children. Some of us finished our bachelor’s more than a decade ago; some were fairly recent. We have jobs and lives to work around, and we’re here to tell you that if we can do it, you can do it. Marist College can help.

Finding our audience

We know who we want to look for (people who are considering graduate school), but how do we find them? An obvious segment for our target audience is college seniors, and maybe even juniors – if they’re thinking about what to do next, we can give them some suggestions.

Another fun way to dive into our target audience is Twitter. Check out #gradschool and #gradschoolprob. Some of my favorite Tweets:

“When it’s late and you’re still working on homework not because you’re an overachiever but because you’re a procrastinator..#GradSchool”

“Not knowing when spring break is because grad school.”

“You know you’re in grad school if you cite your sources during a conversation.”

If we join those conversations, tell them what Marist has to offer and how Marist can help solve some of those #gradschoolprobs, we will get our name out there to a group of influencers.

Where else can we look?

Differences between grad/undergrad

Wanda, a member of my grad school cohort*, found this interesting article about how grad school is different from undergrad. The main differences covered are age and experience, the change in autonomy (more) and structure (less), and campus life.

I find myself agreeing with most of their points, and I think they are great selling points for becoming a grad student. My greater age and experience hasn’t entirely kept me from being nervous, but I do have more confidence and definitely more work experience that applies to my schoolwork. Plus, I have faith that I can handle just about anything for eight weeks – even statistics!

I think my favorite part is the greater autonomy – I do not miss gen eds, even a little bit. I don’t get to choose my classes, but I get to choose my program, and know that it addresses everything I need to know about my chosen field. (I thought that meant I’d never have to do math again, but stats snuck in there anyway.)

The lack of structure is a little alarming at first, especially for someone like me who identifies strongly with Hermione Granger. I want to know exactly what I need to do to get an A, and I want to know all the steps on the path to get there. However, I’m getting used to not being told all the steps, and making my own path.

I was never much of a joiner, so the lack of campus life doesn’t bother me much. I would like to meet my cohort in person, but we seem to be doing fine with lively discussion forums.

*An unexpected bonus of grad school is the frequent use of the word ‘cohort.’ Apparently we are now too grown-up and advanced to have anything as prosaic as ‘classmates,’ so now we get to be a Bond-villain-like ‘cohort.’ Very cool.

Why I chose Marist

In trying to think of ideas to reach our target audience (prospective online grad students), I was trying to remember what initially drew me to Marist's program. I had a friend who was already enrolled in one of their online master's programs. She spoke highly of it, and when I asked around some more, Marist's reputation seemed to be sterling wherever I looked. I liked the flexibility of the program (part- or full-time), and the idea that I could work around my existing work/life schedule. I was worried about going back to school after such a long break (14 years since my bachelor's - yikes!), but I attended one of Marist's grad school open houses, and was very impressed with the staff, the teachers, and all the material they provided about the program. I think their openness and enthusiasm during the open house was what completely sold me. Everybody obviously liked what they were doing, and was excited to answer questions.

For other prospective students, I think I'd want to focus on the ease of technology. I had never taken an online class before, and was pretty nervous. Some focused messages about how the discussion forums work and how they draw out ideas and teamwork would have worked for me, I think, and just some general messages about how it's not as hard as you think! I like the idea of addressing their worries before they even realize they have them. I know I was all optimistic and excited until I actually got the acceptance letter, and then I was all anxious and thinking "what have I gotten myself into?" So there are different stages we could address.

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