SMC students learn what employers, grad schools seek
By NICOLE HADDAD
News Writer
The Saint Mary's College Leadership Development Committee and Center for Academic Innovation sponsored a lecture that gave students the opportunity to learn what grades mean to graduate schools as well as employers.
Faculty and administrators educated students on what graduate schools want from applicants. They look at how earning a 4.0 compares to involvment in clubs and various organizations.
David Wilkeson, assistant director for Career Development, focused on what employers seek, as well as advising students on how to balance grades with leadership and activities.
"Get involved," Wilkeson said. "I'm a strong believer that education is more than what goes on in the classroom."
The top four characteristics on a resume, he said, are academic major, internship experience, leadership experience and GPA. It is important to gain activities and experience skills, as well as maintain a GPA, he said.
"The most important activities from an employer's perspective are career development, internships, leadership and organizational involvement and community service and student organization membership," Wilkeson said, noting that such experience helps students learn to speak and articulate.
Susan Vance, from the department of Business and Administration and Economics, focused on admission to law schools and the type of credentials they seek.
"There are some schools that look purely at numbers — the GPA and LSAT," said Vance, "Particularly large schools and state schools.
"However, there are others who will look at the application. These schools look at the application and place them into three different categories: those with strong numbers, those with low numbers, and those that are in the middle. The borderline cases may not be exactly what the school is looking for but they look at other issues," she said.
She discussed how to go about writing the personal statement that the admissions process requires. Vance said this statement gives the applicant an opportunity to address the issues related to the grade.
"Don't make excuses but rather look at your grades in context," Vance said. "Did you play sports or were you involved in leadership? Did you have a job?"
Vance also discussed that perhaps graduate school may not be the best step immediately after undergraduate work is completed.
"Get experience by going to work or the Peace Corps," she said, "And then apply when you have more to show for yourself."
"Make `you' into a different person and bring perspective into the class," Vance told the audience. "This will enhance the graduate experience and the experience of other students."
Biology professor Nancy Nekvasil discussed the admissions process in medical, dental, and other health schools. She agreed with Vance in saying that graduate schools are looking for applicants with life experience.
Senior merit scholar Candice Janiczek advised students to take their lives step by step, semester by semester.
"From my experience, grades are the only things that count for scholarship," Janiczek said. "The way I got involved was by taking baby steps beginning freshman year and increasing what I was doing."
Sophomore Katie O'Connell spoke from the perspective of a student involved in activities.
"From the first day of school, I decided to get involved and my grades came as they came," she said.
O'Connell stressed the importance of experiences as well.
"Experiences enhance life. You need to think about what you want to be when you leave Saint Mary's, a magic number?" O'Connell said. "There's a lot more out there and it's not always that number. You need to learn about yourself."
SMC students learn what employers, grad schools seek
All News Stories for Wednesday, March 29, 2000
