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FAQs
Resources for Students Considering Graduate and Professional School
What are the initial steps I should take in order to prepare for applying to graduate or professional schools?
1) Check the Grad/Prof web site for updates and answers to general questions -- there's a lot of information here!
2) Open a Credentials File in Career Services; you can print out a form from the web (see "Form for Opening..." above) and drop it off at Career Services or mail it in, or you can obtain and return the form at the Front Desk of Career Services.
3) At the Grad/Prof Advising Desk, sign up for an email distribution list that serves people with your interests in graduate or professional schools;
4) Sign up for Pre-Graduate/Professional Workshops and professional panels (schedule is located here);
5) After the workshop, make an appointment to see a Grad/Prof advisor;
6) At any time, check the schedule for school recruiting visits and sign up for them at the Grad/Prof Advising Desk (see Campus Visits)
How do I make an appointment with an advisor?
Call 215-898-1789 and tell the scheduler what type of graduate or professional school interests you.
Do I have to be in Philadelphia to speak with an advisor?
No, all of the advisors conduct telephone and in-person appointments. Some exceptions involve specific pre-health interviews which must be conducted in person except in the most extenuating circumstances.
What should I do if I think there is a problem with my Credentials File?
First, check your file online to make sure you're up-to-date on its contents/status. If there is still a problem, contact the Credentials Office directly at filefdbk@pobox.upenn.edu or 215-898-4382.
How do I create a recommendations file and have letters sent to schools?
See the Credentials page for detailed information on how to open a file and how the system works. Remember that it is your responsibility to follow up on all requests to have documents sent into and out of the Credentials Office.
Will advisors review resumes, CVs and personal statements?
Yes; except in the busiest times of the year, it typically takes 3-5 business days to critique these items. You can drop them off at the Grad/Prof Advising desk or email them to an advisor. Advisors will review these documents no more than twice; you can also discuss them in an individual appointment. Keep in mind that the Grad/Prof Advising Unit reviews resumes and CVs only for the purpose of applying to schools; it does not review resumes for the purpose of looking for a job.
Where can I find brochures and applications for various schools?
There are some brochures and applications (whatever the schools send us) at the Grad/Prof Advising Desk in Career Services, but the most reliable way to get them is to request them directly from the schools -- most schools allow you to do this through their web sites.
Where can I find information about admissions tests (LSAT, MCAT, GRE, etc.)?
A limited number of registration packets and information about review courses are available at the Front Desk and the Grad/Prof Advising Desk in Career Services; you can also obtain information from our Standardized Tests page.
Back to Pre-Graduate/Pre-Professional Mai
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Career Services • University of Pennsylvania
Suite 20, McNeil Building • 3718 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6209
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