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Show fODMUM 2 jfvtit 5, 2006 Moa b,m'S helps inquiring students learn more about higher education MnaGdinDig Panel Its never too early to start thinking about graduate school. That was the message emphasized by every member of the graduate school panel last Wednesday. Presented by ASWC business senators, the panel held a discussion in Gore Auditorium to help students interested in graduate school learn more about the process of furthering their education. The panelists were Gay-le- n Bunker, an associate professor in accounting at Westminster; Keith Embray, with the McNair Scholars Program; Albert Pranno, a practicing attorney; Sarah Ross, assistant director at the Career Resource Center; and Chris Wharton, ASWC student body president. Wharton, who has applied to and been wait-liste- d at several law schools, advocated taking graduate school test prep classes such as TestMasters before taking the ac- tual exams. sources as well. Members of the panel also talked about the importance of having excellent letters of reference. Ask people who you know can write you Bunker explained there are generally three areas graduate school admissions committees consider: grade point average, graduate school exam scores and work experience Your personal statement can make or break you. "Albert Pranno Ross echoed this advice, mentioning prep courses offered at the University of Utah. The advantage of these classes, she said, is that students can take the class, take an actual exam, and then return to the class for more help free of charge. Ross said the Career Resource Center at Westminster can offer students help and re a good recommendation, said Ross. Give them plenty of time, and make sure they know who you are as a person, she said. Bunker reiterated the advantage of having good letters of reference. Start cultivating mentors and people who can write good letters of reference for you now, he said. coupled with letters of reference. Some- times, if an applicant is strong in two of the three areas, admissions committees will waive the third, he said. Admissions committees also look at writing skills, he said. Writing skills prove advantageous when it comes to writing personal statements for graduate school Pranno agreed. Your personal statement can make senior class gift will go towards the construction of the new Science Center. At least its not going towards a window, said senior acknowledged the more prestigious a Westminster College degree will become. Auspiciously the Graduat- ford it either. Two announcements were made last week during the fair to encourage more senior Hi -- 2 ered in the Shaw Center last week to learn more about their options as future Westminster alumni, and have their concerns and questions answered during the Graduation Fair. The fair helped students prepare for the graduation ceremony on June 3. One of the most immediately useful parts of the fair was the cap and gown measurements. Staff from Jostens Inc. ac- curately measured students heads and bodies for the ceremonial graduation attire. Along with spending money on graduation announcements and other graduation items the graduation committee was on hand to accept donations for the senior class of 2006 legacy gift. The donations raised for the sional way, he said. Embray agreed. The strength of your letter has to convey who you are, he said. Embray made an analogy of selling yourself to being similar to selling a car. You want to indicate your - miles per gallon, he said. All of the other applicants will have the same accessories and amenities as you on the outside, but your job is to show the admissions committee that you will go further. applications. Most graduate schools require applicants to write a short essay about themselves. Bunkers advice: Practice writing essays about yourself. It is Tyler Bain. While attending the Gradu- - ' ation Fair Bain said they measured his head circumference around 23 inches. When asked if he made a contribution Tyler said, I dont feel likes its important making a contribution and I cant af- 2006 graduating class gath- important that you are able to articulate who you are and that you are able to talk about yourself in a profes- students to donate to the gift; one from President Bassis and another from a board of trustees member. President Bassis said that he would contribute $10 for every student who makes a. donation in any amount. Bassis will donate up to $2006.00. The member of the board of trustees said he would contribute $20 for every percentage point higher than the prior years percentage rate of 31 percent of graduating students who donated to the class gift. Since March 31 only 145 students contributed to the senior gift, currently they fall short from last years contribution rate by 60 students. Westminsters President Michael Bassis and Graduation Committee chair person Rachel Smith, were present at the Class of 2006 Graduation Fair. Through several President Bassis, Rachel Smith and Dana Tumpowsky stressed the importance of donating towards the graduation gift. In a campus-wid- e Bassis said the magnitude behind the 2006 legacy gift is national recognition, and the more the school is ail or break you, he said. The discussion concluded with a question and answer session with the audience. ing Student Committee sent on out a campus-wid- e March 21 to collect ideas for the Class of 2006 legacy gift. Only one person responded ail with the idea of donating the gift to the new Science Center. Smith said, there were a couple of sugges- tions from the faculty, staff and ASWC such as; doing something w ith converse for its 100 year anniversary, or donating to the Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center. Unfortunately the committee members felt these ideas were less permanent, compared to donating towards the new Science Building. The graduation gift hasnt been officially decided yet, but it most likely will be a plaque displayed either in the lobby or a classroom will be named after the class of 2006. Smith said, We will have it in writing before graduation so students will know. Jessica Fahey a senior who attended the Graduation Fair said, I feel like the class donation isnt a true representation of our class year. Its not going to be a noticeable gift. So does anyone really know if the graduation gift being displayed will be in a noticeable location and will it be a true representation of the class of 2006? Unfortunately Graduating students will have to wait a while to find out. Students who missed the Graduation Fair can still be measured for caps and gowns on Thursday at 11a.m. in Shaw. And if you like to donate to the class gift you can do so at the Concierge Desk.A |