I'd be applying out of my field (biochemistry) to computer science programs. I do have the background (industry experience, research experience in algorithms and mathematical models) but my school won't let me take exams to get the CS/math courses credited because they're not part of my program. My program doesn't even have calc I, actually. What can I do to prove that I have the qualifications ? I'll be taking the GRE subject test in computer science before the application deadline, but aside from that ? My strongest recommender is a mathematician and would probably point out that I don't need to take linear algebra and graph theory, but I guess I should still have passed these courses if I want my application to be considered. Is there something that could replace actually taking the courses (they're at the same time as my biochem courses) or the exams (school doesn't want as they're "not for credit" in their mind) ?

 Hello, I am about to start grad school for the first time. The program is two years long. During the summer after our first year, we are required to start our internship-practicum hours (supervised counseling hours). I will be in the Psychology MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) program. I would appreciate any and all advice for the following:
1. Recommended school supplies
2. Is there any kind of dress code for grad school students?
3. Workload-readings-paper-homework-note taking...etc....advice, any is appreciated.
4. Suggestions for budgetting my time in whatever ever way....I will be going to school full time, need to fit in my own personal counseling time, working two days a week (about 10 hours a week), church, bible study and that is about it...go to the gym when I can fit in the time...
5. How does everyone go about finding someone to do their personal counseling hours with? How much does this cost? Does anyone know if there are any discounts for students having to do it for graduation requirement?? 
6. How does the whole advisor faculty thing work and what is their job towards/for us as the student?? They are like a mentor and we can meet with them as much or as little as we wish, right? I mean can they help us on papers we are struggling with and with clarifying things we are not understanding (either from in class or from readings), right?
     Thank you everyone for reading this and thank you all in advance for your advice and suggestions. Good luck to everyone embarking on the wonderful journey of Grad School. Take care 

Throughout my undergrad career, I've been ahead of where I need to be - credit-wise - by an entire year.  Because I wanted to make my time here last (I really enjoy college, and didn't want to end up 3 years in only to realize that I've got nothing left to do), I thought it would be a good idea to double major.  Problem is, I could never figure out what I wanted my second major to be.  The only thing that's really stuck is psychology, and that's what I'd like to pursue in graduate school.  Aside from that, I've also tried English, Classics, and - most recently - premed (which I realize isn't technically a major, but it IS still extra work - the idea of psychiatry and neurology appealed to me).  As it turns out, though, while I am a good writer, I've never been fond of literature; Classics fell through because history in large doses bores me...and pre-med...well, it turns out I'm not as much of a science person as I thought I was.  Unfortunately, I realized this too late, and am currently taking way too many credits, all of which are science, plus marching band.  And I'm not doing as well as I'd like to be.  I think I could pull off some decent grades if I just got rid of one of the classes, thereby freeing up enough time for me to be able to put in the necessary amount of studying.  However, I ALSO know a W looks not-so-hot on a transcript.  But since I don't really NEED any of the classes I'm taking for psychology graduate school (which I now realize I should have just pursued all on its lonesome since the beginning, instead of trying to be an overachiever), it seems like it might not make too bad of an impact, as I feel like I've got pretty good reasons for wanting to drop it - reasons that don't involve me being an incompetent slacker.

So what should I do?  Should I stick it out with all of my classes, or should I make my life easier by dropping one and getting a W out of it?

I know that some people consider taking graduate level courses to help build up their application and show they can do grad level work. I've been out of my undergrad for a little while, and have been considering taking one or two at the local university. There are two different courses that I feel would benefit me, and ideally, I would like the take both. I'm not sure if my financial situation will permit that, so I will probably only be able to take one.

I had taken one of the courses (biostatistics) during my undergrad at my school, but did not do so hot in it. My question is: do you think it would be better to take the course that I didn't do well in and try to make up for my poor grade from my previous school, or should I take the course that I don't have any prior experience in (gis)? I will need to know the material of both eventually. I'm in ecology, and in everything I do, I'm going to need to be proficient in statistical analysis. Although, profs I've contacted at schools I'm interested in have also been asking me what experience I have with gis.

For those who have taken graduate level courses before grad school, did you feel that it was one of the important factors in your admission? I don't have research experience; would that be more beneficial to me than trying to make up a poor grade?

Thanks to all, and hopefully everyone is still keeping somewhat sane!

Hey, everyone. I posted here yesterday, but now I have another question.

First of all, my university does not officially have a linguistics program or department. They use a lot of professors from different disciplines to come together and teach linguistics. So for my major, I have classes in the Audiology & Speech Pathology department (Phonetics), the English department (foundations of Old English, sociolinguistics), and the Anthropology department. Linguistics is sort of an interdisciplinary field, anyway, but it sucks that we don't have an official program or department where I can go seek advice about specific things.

With that said, my school doesn't offer any graduate level or upper-level Linguistics courses beyond what I have to take in the course catalog. Therefore, to the person who suggested I just take upper level Linguistics courses to prep for grad school, I can't. It would be nice...and I wish I could have gone to an undergraduate school with a great linguistics program, but to my knowledge, no university/college in the state of Tennessee has a better linguistics program. Sad, eh?

Yesterday, my concern was undergraduate minors and how they might influence a future academic position. Thanks for all of the information; it helped. I've decided to refrain from minoring in anything, instead taking interesting classes here and there...BUT if you take quite a few lower-level courses, does it look bad? What if I wanted to take Elementary Russian? What if I wanted to take something like Religious Studies 101 for my own personal enrichment (I grew up in an irreligious household, and I would like to learn more)? What if I find myself interested in Art History? My intention isn't to take a ton of "easy" courses. I love challenging myself. I do plan to take several upper level courses in some subjects, but sometimes I want a wide survey instead of something narrow...that way I can pick up on certain areas and delve into them independently after the course is over. Upper level courses are more focused, like Theravada Buddhism or Classical Islam (both of which I want to take, too). I'm going to graduate school for specialization, so besides my major, I don't know why I should be expected to completely focused.

What do you think? Will the admissions offices hold it against me for taking classes like World Religions in History, or Elementary Russian I? I guess we can never truly know how they feel, but I was wondering if you had some advice or knowledge. Thanks!

Hey applicants!

I'm currently working on my Math undergrad and I had a question about my courseload. Currently, I've taken the typical Calc I, II, III, Linear Algebra, but my question about how (un)diversified my courseload in upper level classes is. Right now I have Abstract Algebra I and II, and a graduate Adv. Linear Algebra and Algebra courses. I have done research in Algebra as well. I have ended up very focused in it. Also, I have a class in Point-Set topology, along with graduate Differential Topology and Algebraic Topology. I have a Probability class as a sidenote.

So, when you look at this course selection, you see Topology and Algebra. I've never taken an analysis course, geometry course, nor a number theory course (but have researched in cryptology). But, I will be applying for Algebraic Geometry. I have been directed reading Hartshorne's Algebraic Geometry text, and researching under a professor in the field.

My selection is very focused, and I'm taking another Algebra course next year (Homological and Commutative!), and then (finally) a real and functional intensive analysis course.

My worry is that when I apply to graduate school in a year, they won't see any complex analysis, though I will be taking it Spring 2009. I mean, my interests are not in that area, but it seems kind of necessary. Opinions? Thanks guys!

OH! Though it's not that official, www.freerice.com is a great vocab booster and for a great cause so try it out for the GRE verbal!!

I asked one of my professors to write me a LOR today and he agreed.

I guess this means I will be submitting my application.

To make this post a bit more relevant, I'm hoping that if I get into the MA program I apply to that I will be able to enter another MA program immediately after I get my degree. I want to do both of the programs because they complement each other well and have exactly what I want, but I feel the one I'm applying to now will prepare me more for the other one. Would it seem strange to get a MA in two closely related things? Assuming I even get into the first one I will probably be too burned-out to apply to the second anyway. Just wondering if anyone has done this before.