MARSHA COHEN
Staff Writer
The 2014 Graduate Fair is right around the corner and it currently has the most graduate programs slated to attend in its history. The annual event has been taking place since 2009, when there were just 48 graduate programs in attendance. The 2014 Graduate Fair will be the biggest turnout to date, with 63 graduate programs and two test-prep programs.
“We chose to do the graduate fair in 2009 when we realized how many of our students chose to go to graduate school; over a third go on to graduate school. So we felt there was a need to bring some graduate programs to campus,” said Chris LaGrow, the assistant director of career development.
This year there will be 12 new programs in attendance, and they will consist of business schools, social work programs and research programs.
“Since there are so many education majors on campus, I believe that there are plenty of schools to represent my major,” said Marissa White, a senior early childhood and childhood education major. “However, in my opinion, the fair does not offer enough schools outside New York. I plan on moving out of state when I graduate, so I am disappointed that there will not be as many options for me to look at.
“It’s not a specific school that I am looking for. I’m actually looking for the different kind of education programs that all of the schools offer. I am thinking that I want to get my masters in child advocacy, or something similar. My goal is to find a program that really sparks my interests,” said White.
Michael Palazza, a sophomore social work major, is looking forward to viewing programs that will prepare him to be a counselor.
“I am interested in looking at Binghamton University, University of Buffalo, Syracuse University and Fordham University. Furthermore, they all seem to be schools that have exemplary programs and would help direct me to my future career goal of being a counselor,” said Palazza.
One program new to the fair this year includes the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications from Syracuse University.
“Syracuse Newhouse will be here, and we are very excited to have them here. That is a very prominent program for [Syracuse University],” said LaGrow.
Registration for the program closed quickly due to the overwhelming amount of schools that signed up. Even though the fair attracts many seniors who are looking for the guidance for post-graduate life, LaGrow suggest that sophomores and juniors also take a look as well.
“This fair is the first step for students; it is not a substitute for going to visit the campus. It’s something that really sophomore and juniors, if they know they will be heading there after graduation, should really stop by and see what these schools are looking for,” said Lagrow.
For Palazza, sophomore year is not too early to research graduate programs.
“I feel that it is always wise to get a head start in terms of looking at graduate schools in regards to the fact that if I have a better idea of where my future is heading,” said Palazza. “I am hoping to get an idea of what social work programs are out there, and what the requirements are in terms of entering these universities. I know I still have two years until graduate school but I still feel like I can take away vital information.”