Close shot of diverse group of college graduates smiling and posing together

Inside My Grad School Experience: Part 2

In another edition of grad student experience stories, students can learn about why real students chose to attend grad school and what their journey was like.

As you go through your grad school search, you'll probably find yourself doubting if grad school or a certain program is right for you. It’s likely you’ll want to pick the brain of a current grad student to really understand what the experience is like and what you may expect. Don't worry—we did it for you! Here are three student stories to help you get a better feel for advanced degree programs.

Marisa CastronovaMarisa Castronova-Wos

School: Caldwell University in Caldwell, New Jersey
Degree program: PhD in Educational Leadership (K-12)

Why did you choose to go to grad school?

Stated simply, I am just one of those people who love to learn. Academia has always been like a second home, where I gain personal satisfaction in challenging myself to explore different interests. After my 10th year in the teaching profession, I decided I was ready for another challenge. Pursuing a doctoral degree was the logical next step. I knew this experience would afford me the opportunity to leave my mark on the educational community by conducting my own independent research.

How did you find the right program for you?

I looked for a program that would allow me to balance my full-time teaching career and two pre-school-aged children—and still let me keep a bit of sanity. As I researched several options, Caldwell University stood out above the rest. The weekend course schedule, accelerated pace, and support from a close-knit academic community made it the right choice. It left me feeling that the journey was doable and support was always within reach.

How does it compare to your undergrad experience?

In pursuing a doctoral degree, you quickly learn that there isn’t a lot of hand-holding, and your path from start to finish isn’t as clearly mapped out. Instead, you are at the helm steering your own ship. My undergraduate experience refined my self-discipline and gave me the ability to become a more reflective thinker. These qualities have become immensely important as I continue to navigate my graduate experience.

What has been the most challenging or surprising?

Prior to the program, I sought to be the best educator within my own classroom. However, as I continue on through the program, I find myself taking on a global perspective toward education, feeling inspired to create change beyond the four walls of my classroom. And one of the best moments was turning a casual conversation with a fellow member of my cohort into a grant-funded STEM opportunity for students.

What advice can you offer other (would-be) graduate students?

Pursuing a higher degree is one of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself. Treat it as an investment and expect to get out as much as you are willing to put in. When times get tough, remember that your journey isn’t totally in isolation. Surround yourself with support from fellow classmates who know what it’s like to walk in your shoes.

Related: Great Graduate Schools and Programs in the Northeast

Bruno OrlandiniBruno Orlandini

School: Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut
Degree program: Master of Finance and Investment Management

Why did you choose to go to grad school?

I always dreamed of working in investment banking, but as we all know this industry is extremely competitive. I also knew that with an undergrad degree from a small school in South Carolina and limited work experience, my odds were not favorable and that it would be very hard to compete against Ivy League graduates. Therefore, I decided that going to grad school was my best option in order to further develop my education and better position myself in the job market—and I was right about it. I already received a full-time offer from a well-known investment bank, and I will be soon starting my dream job.

How did you find the right program for you?

I was looking for a program where I would learn best practices on theoretical knowledge (CFA track), gain practical and applied exercises that reflect real-life situations (Bloomberg, Cap IQ, etc.), and be close enough to New York City and major hedge funds to get exposure to the field. On top of that, the Master of Finance and Investment Management at Sacred Heart is classified as a STEM course and provides all foreign students (I’m originally from Araraquara in Sao Paulo, Brazil) an extended work opportunity upon graduation.

How does it compare to your undergrad experience?

I believe grad students are more mature and willing to learn and share their experiences. A very positive aspect of my graduate experience is that I am always learning, not only from the professors but also from other students who have different experiences and backgrounds. Also, grad school emphasizes the underlying thinking rather than getting the correct answer by itself. In other words, at the end of the day, you will probably forget a formula you have learned—but you won’t forget the thinking process behind it.

What advice can you offer other (would-be) graduate students?

My advice to other graduate students would be to work hard, be organized, and most importantly interact with other people. Students will be surprised when they realize how much they can learn inside and outside the classroom simply by leaving their comfort zone and looking for different experiences. I’ve learned a lot by interacting with people who have different beliefs, values, and backgrounds. So perhaps my main advice is simply don’t be shy! 

Related: Great Graduate Schools and Programs in New England

Laura ShinkunasLaura Shinkunas 

School: Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska
Degree program: Master of Science in Health Care Ethics

Why did you choose to go to grad school?

When I applied for grad school, I had worked in a bioethics and humanities program for about eight years. At that point, I felt like it was important for me to continue my education in order to further my career.

How did you find the right program for you?

The length of time it would take to complete the program was an important consideration for me. Creighton’s program offered eight-week long classes, which allowed me to take one class at a time and obtain my graduate degree in 18 months. This was half the time of other programs I had considered. Creighton also offered a variety of classes that blended well with the range of roles I am asked to perform in my current position.

How does it compare to your undergrad experience?

Graduate school has been much more demanding and time consuming. I found that I cannot procrastinate! However, the material in grad school has been directly applicable to my job, which has made the whole experience more rewarding and engaging.

What has been the most challenging or surprising?

I was surprised at how personally fulfilling the whole experience could be and how much I grew as a writer.

What advice can you offer other (would-be) graduate students?

Graduate school is a wonderfully rewarding experience. However, it is also a lot of work. In order to be a successful graduate student, you need to be dedicated and stay on top of your assignments.

Related: Great Graduate Schools and Programs in the Midwest and West

We hope these student stories have helped you get a clearer picture of what grad school may be like for you and how you can find the right program for your goals and aspirations. Grad school is a huge step, so you need to be sure it’s the right decision for you. But if you do decide to apply, do so with confidence and the knowledge you’re doing something great for your future.

Explore more grad schools across the country that could be a great fit for you using our Graduate Program Search tool.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

About CollegeXpress

CollegeXpress

Welcome to CollegeXpress, your one-stop college shop! We’re a free college planning website used by millions of college-bound students, parents, and counselors—anyone who needs help navigating the college search and application process, financial aid opportunities, and more. 

You’ll find comprehensive College Search and Scholarship Search tools, tons of articles and expert advice, unique college Lists & Rankings, and lots of other resources to help make your life easier. Teen Vogue even named us one of the 7 Best College Search Websites!

Current college students and recent grads also love CollegeXpress for our Graduate Program Search tool and endless information on student life, internships, and beyond. We really have something for everyone, no matter where you are in your college journey.

Create a free CollegeXpress account to start connecting with colleges, winning scholarships, and simplifying your life as a student!

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information.
Swipe left if you're not interested.

Felician University

Rutherford, NJ


Sierra Carranza

Sierra Carranza

High School Class of 2022

I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to go to school; I was considering colleges in almost every state. CollegeXpress was an amazing resource and helped me compare all of my top schools. Without the help of CollegeXpress, I probably wouldn't have made such an informed and confident decision.

Asia Stockdale

Asia Stockdale

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress helped me overcome a huge hurdle. Because of the small town I live in, I felt like I would never achieve more. I felt like I could never go beyond because of costs. I feared I wouldn’t be able to find scholarships. I had no idea of where to start. With CollegeXpress, I easily found scholarships—they came to me. It was a helper, and I was instantly matched with opportunities to go above and beyond educationally.

Damian Rangel

Damian Rangel

September 2021 Mini Scholarship Winner, High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has helped me tackle college expenses, which will allow me to put more of my time and effort into my studies without the need of worrying as much about finances.

Katie

Katie

High School Class of 2019

My favorite feature of CollegeXpress is the scholarship search. As someone going out of state for college, I needed all the financial help I could get, and CollegeXpress helped me easily find scholarships I could apply for to help fund my education.

Kyla McClain

Kyla McClain

High School Class of 2024

I found CollegeXpress when you partnered with Bold.org for a scholarship. I found your website, put my information in, and got connected. I only wanted to stay in North Carolina [for college] and not move far from home, but you all opened a door up for me. I started researching colleges you suggested for me. On your social media platforms, you also give really good test-taking tips that I used and suggested others to do the same. It helped me a lot on my exams, so thank you.