Your First Year

• Before you even begin classes, find an advisor. An advisor is often assigned to you by the graduate program; if not, then seek one out on your own. Your advisor helps you select courses and might direct your thesis. Your advisor may or may not become your mentor.
• Approach graduate school as a full-time job. If you soared through your undergraduate degree with little application to your studies, then you’re in for a shock. Reading lists will be longer and more extensive, and you’ll be expected to critically evaluate and discuss all reading material.
• Learn how to read smartly. Read the abstract (if it’s an article), introduction, conclusion, and the first and last paragraphs of each chapter in a book. Find the book’s theme and supporting arguments for and/or against that theme. This method of “reading” a book can save valuable time and provides you with what you’ll need for any critical discussion or essay.
• Focus on a theme for your thesis. Even if your thesis seems far off in the future, now is the time to let that theme take shape. Take elective classes that pertain to your interest, because you’ll take other required classes that may have nothing to do with what you’ll write about in your second year.
• Learn now to compile an organized list of articles and books for your thesis. Even though your argument might change over time for your thesis, you’ll still have a list of those readings. Take notes to remember why these articles and books were important to you.
• Grades do matter. Attend classes, because your attendance usually will have some impact on your grades. Your grades also will have an impact on whether or not a professor will take you under his or her wing for your thesis.

• If you attend classes, you’ll get to know your professors. This is especially important in most cases, as you’ll need to pick a mentor next year to complete your thesis. Find a professor who is most suited to your interests.
• Develop an interest in research. Depending upon your major, develop research skills through courses such as research methods, statistics, experimental lab courses, and directed research.
• Be confident about your writing skills. If you feel you have inferior writing skills, take a summer course before you begin grad school. Outside of reading, you’ll never do more writing in your life (unless you become a writer).
• Most graduate programs have fellowships they favor, so find out now what they are and the requirements. You’ll need fellowships on your resume, and they may provide you with the networks and skills you’ll need to find a job after you graduate.
• Graduate school is all about depth. Undergraduate education emphasizes general education or liberal arts, which are broad perspectives. Graduate school, however, is designed for students to go deeper into a specialization. Instead of memorization, professors will demand analysis.
• Be social and network. But, be selective about who you spend time with. Your time is valuable in grad school, and developing friendship — both online and in person — takes time.

Your Second Year

• Some colleges and universities require second-year graduate students to serve as teachers or assistants. If your goal is to teach, jump at the chance or offer to help even if your service isn’t required. If you are required to teach and you don’t want to, put yourself into the students’ shoes…and treat them with respect anyway.
• Select your thesis. While this may be a big decision, nothing is written in stone. Many people change projects to some degree. In fact, your project may take turns you can’t anticipate. However, it’s important to make sure that you find your work exciting.
• Find your mentor among your professors and develop a relationship if you haven’t done so already. This is one situation where those stellar grades come in handy, as well as your visibility and hard work — many professors can balk at a request for mentorship, but will jump at a chance to mentor a hard-working student. As you prove yourself and your mentor feels more confident in you, he or she will often give you the freedom you seek in developing your thesis.
• Find a mentor who has time for you and who is well respected in his or her field. You can expect, reasonably, to spend an hour every week or every other week with this person. You want, in the end, to be able to brag about who you mentored with in grad school, so be picky. Get the best for the best results.
• Read other theses. You can learn about what already has been done in your field, particularly in your specialty or major. You may even find a thesis that you’d like to explore further for your own paper.
• Decide if you want to earn your PhD. This is the year when you decide whether you want more education to teach at a higher level or to become the best you can be in your research. Talk with your advisor and/or your mentor to get their opinions about your prospects, and to learn more about what they know about doctoral degrees.
• Ask for help if you need it. If you already have an advisor and a mentor, they have committed to helping you with various tasks. One of those tasks is to provide you with help when you need it.

The links below are listed in alphabetical order and take you directly to the pages where you can learn more about how to register and requirements for starting and completing your degree.

1. Auburn University: Electronically Delivered Graduate Education (EDGE) courses are offered online at the student’s convenience. Engineering programs include: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Business programs include Accounting, Business Administration, and Management Information Systems. A combination MBA/MISE degree also is available.
2. Boston University: Boston University Distance Education offers master’s degrees in art education, criminal justice, music, computer information systems, health communication, management, manufacturing engineering, and social work. These programs provide students with an in-depth theoretical foundation as well as practical strategies for meeting demands of the marketplace. Many students have gone on to shape the future of their professions through their knowledge and leadership.
3. Carnegie Mellon University: Carnegie Mellon University’s H. John Heinz III College offers distance learning programs for Master of Science in Computer Science & IT (ranked #1 by U.S. News and World Report), Master of Medical Management (some onsite sessions required), and Master of Public Management (part-time and full-time tracks; work experience is required rather than GRE and GMAT).
4. DePaul University: Developing and providing degree programs for working adults for over 100 years, DePaul has been able to expand its reach by offering fully online master’s degree programs in various disciplines within the College of Computing and Digital Media, College of Education, and School of Public Service.
5. Duke University: By utilizing Duke’s resources in environmental science, engineering, policy, and business, the Nicholas School of the Environment’s Environmental Leadership Master of Environmental Management program gives students insight into the many aspects of environmental issues. The faculty includes recognized experts in the field whose research and publications affect important environmental and natural resource challenges.
6. Georgia Institute of Technology: Online master’s degrees are offered in aerospace engineering, computational science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, industrial engineering, information security, mechanical engineering, medical physics, and operations research, in addition to a Professional Master in Applied Systems Engineering. Students study at their convenience, accessing a wealth of technological and industry knowledge while building a network of Georgia Tech faculty and industry professionals.
7. Indiana University: Kelley School of Business, through Kelly Direct, offers fully online MBA program, along with Master of Science degrees in finance, global supply chain management, and strategic management. There are also MBA dual-degree programs (mostly, but not fully, online) with Thunderbird (Master’s in Global Management) and Purdue (MSE and MS in Food and Agribusiness Management).
8. Johns Hopkins University: Here you’ll find master’s degree programs in bioinformatics, computer science, environmental engineering and science, environmental planning and management, and systems engineering — all can be completed fully online.
9. Michigan State University: In the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program, students may choose to follow the general requirements for the Master’s in Criminal Justice, specialize in security management, or follow an international focus. Courses are offered entirely online, and are taught by the same faculty members that are involved in the on-campus program.
10. Pennsylvania State University: Over 100 years ago, Penn State founded one of the nation’s first correspondence courses. Now through their World Campus, they offer online master’s degrees in a wide range of areas including (to name a few) education, business administration, homeland security, nuclear engineering, and supply chain management. The online courses are flexible, yet the same academically challenging courses as on campus.
11. Stanford University: Students whose employers are members of the Stanford Center for Professional Development can earn Master of Science degrees while attending classes online on a part-time basis. Courses of study include aeronautics and astronautics, biomedical informatics, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computational and mathematical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, management science and engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and statistics.
12. University of Florida: Most distance degrees may be taken on a part-time basis through this university. However, all degree programs require formal admission to the school. Master’s degrees are offered in various disciplines within the Colleges of Agriculture & Life Sciences; Business Administration; Design, Construction, and Planning; Education; Engineering; Fine Arts; Liberal Arts & Sciences; Nursing; Pharmacy; Public Health and Health Professions; and Veterinary Medicine.
13. University of Illinois: The Department of Computer Science offers a fully online Master’s in Computer Science program, which is restricted to off-campus professionals and is not intended for those who have access to on-campus courses and programs; although, all students receive the same lectures, class assignments, exams, and projects as on-campus students. The degree can be completed in as little as three years (at one course per semester), but must be completed within five years.

14. University of Southern California: USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s Distance Education Network (DEN) students view online the same lecture as on-campus students either live or at their convenience. Students interact by calling a toll-free phone number to ask the professor questions. Lectures are archived for the entire semester and can be downloaded.
15. Vanderbilt University School of Nursing: Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing Health System Management. A Health Systems Manager is a registered nurse whose focus is on the management of health care delivery in various organizations. Graduates have the breadth of management knowledge and skills needed to perform effectively and assume leadership positions in health care delivery organizations.

With an app for everything from expense tracking to virtual assistants, there are also many to help take the place of your PC or Mac. To help ease the transition or turn your iPhone into a temporary substitute, we have collected 20 must-have apps to turn your iPhone into a personal computer. They can do everything from sub as a personal assistant to entertain.

Free Must-Have Apps to Turn Your iPhone Into Your Personal Computer

1. Google Apps Who can remember what we did to look up stuff before Google? With an iPhone and these apps, you can actually look up the answer like never before. They have a search app that allows you to use a traditional text search as well as a voice, location, and even camera search. Google also offers other apps including Google Earth and Google Maps on this page.


2. Dragon Dictation Don’t have dictation software on your computer? Just one more reason to leave it behind in favor of your iPhone. This app turns your spoken words into written words. Simply record on your iPhone, send, and have it sent back to you as text. Jeff Depascale has extensive experience with iPhone apps and writes all about it.


3. Aji PDF Reader One of the most popular text documents, PDFs aren’t just for the computer anymore. This free app allows you to do many common tasks when working with a PDF and was named the best free PDF app by Make Use Of. It can even download a document directly from the web using the URL.


4. eMailGanizer If the email app the iPhone came with isn’t enough for you, try out this replacement at no charge. This is an application for intelligently organizing and filing e-mail. It allows users to sort mail by file and folders, which can come in handy for those who need to save lots of messages. The app is available with ads for free or without for $5.


5. Pageonce Do you have to bounce around from account to account and site to site to keep on top of all of your bills? That’s so personal computer. This amazing iPhone app actually manages all of your accounts from banking to Netlfix and more all on one program. Other than the danger of having your password jacked, it is the perfect iPhone app.


6. Dropbox But what if the worst does happen and your iPhone is lost forever? Your files don’t have to be with the help of this app. All you need is a Dropbox account, a second to download your files to their site, and you can sit back with ease as they will now be accessible by iPhone, computer, or you can even email them to yourself.


7. Seemsic You may have had to log into each of your Facebook, Twitter, etc. accounts on computer individually, but this app takes all that needless typing out of the equation. Use it to log into all of your accounts, get updates, and customize as you like. The blogger at Media Bistro even has a video on how to use it.


8. Air Video Work with streaming video with the help of this app. The app allows you to do all of your video encoding in real time, which saved the blogger at UserBytes loads of time. It also has great connectivity and an instructional video is here. Work with three videos on the free version, then spend the $2.99 on the full one if you like it.


9. Uniqlo Calendar Check out one of the few free calendar apps for iPhone. It uses its own images and music to create an entirely different calendar app than the standard fare. Also a good choice for lovers of Japanese culture.


10. VNC Mocha Do you still miss your computer? Then check out this app to access it straight from your iPhone. Just enter your IP address, server port, password, and you can get the next best thing to turning your iPhone into a computer.

Paid Must-Have Apps to Turn Your iPhone Into Your Personal Computer

11. Atomic Web Browser Safari isn’t for everyone, especially those with $0.99 to spend and a love of surfing. The app features better tabs, full screen, downloads, search options, and much more. The blogger at IOS App Advice gave it four and a half out of five stars and raves all about it here.


12. App Box Pro Turn your iPhone into what your computer could never be: a virtual Swiss Army knife of virtual tools for the low cost of only $0.99. It comes with many of the items offered in apps for the same price and maybe a few more. Twenty-one tools include flashlight, mirror, wallet, talk time, battery, calculators, and more.


13. GoodReader Get a PDF reading app that can do more for only $0.99. Not only can it work well with PDF documents, but it also supports other formats, including Office. You can even use it to work with web pages, audio, and video files.


14. Mailroom If you use Google Mail as well as all the features it comes with, this iPhone app is definitely worth a look. It can work with multiple email accounts and offers lots of options for only $1.99. The blogger at Smoking Apples uses it to manage all 34 of his accounts and has more on why it is well worth the price.


15. CineXPlayer Love 3D movies and wish you could watch them on your iPhone? Then grab $1.99 and prepare to have your wish granted. You can watch the movie full screen, high quality, and get the cinema experience. It also includes a resume function and other features.


16. ACT Printer Unfortunately even in the world of iPhones, hard copies can still be a must. But your iPhone doesn’t have to be a part of all that tree-destroying. This app can act as virtual paper, holding items such as electronic tickets, bar codes, coupons, etc. on one app. You can even send emails to yourself with the document attached.


17. Week Calendar This iPhone app gets top reviews for its displays of calendar which is very similar to iCal for Mac. It also features easy to use navigation, adding, editing, and more. It sells for $1.99 and is raved about by the blogger at Gadgetero.


18. Air Sharing Get $2.99 for this file management and sharing app to help store and backup your files. It supports all the formats found in a computer and can be used with ease. Best of all, you don’t need a separate account to use Air Share.


19. Good Player Have a video file that won’t play on your iPhone? Then get $2.99 and this video player to work with all sorts of files including AVI, Xvid, Divx, WMV ,MKV, RM, RMVB, and others. It also offers play features, subtitle support, and even TV out/VGA support.


20. Documents to Go Purchasing just about any version of Microsoft Office on a computer can run you well into the $100 range. However, those with an iPhone can work with the format for a measly $9.99. And unlike some versions of Office, this one lets you work in formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and Apples iWork.

Since many of these 20 must have apps to turn your iPhone into your personal computer are free, there is no need to worry if you are a student strapped for cash, as they can be downloaded and utilized or ignored as you see fit.

Financial Opportunities

1. Cooperative Education: Cooperative education is not a new concept. Herman Schneider developed this program in 1901. Now, about 900 colleges and universities across the county offer programs where students can alternate between full-time study, and a full-time job. As a result, the student can make enough money to pay for a good portion of tuition, and that student may have a better chance of landing a good job after he or she graduates.
2. Reserve Officer Training Corps: This option is available at many colleges. ROTC produces officers in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces except the U.S. Coast Guard. To qualify for an ROTC Scholarship, which usually covers full or partial tuition plus $100 a month allowance, you must apply in your senior year of high school. You also should have good grades and 1800 or above SAT scores. ROTC, being part of the military, implemented the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. An Act to repeal the policy was signed by President Barack Obama on December 22, 2010, but implementation is expected to take up to a year.
3. Military Service: Students and their parents may question whether or not military service still pays when it comes to college tuition. According to this MSN Money article, it does. “A high-school grad with few prospects and no way to pay for college can find unmatched benefits, marketable skills and bonuses for enlisting and then re-enlisting, even as much as $38,000 for later schooling.” Therefore, this option is not for everyone. But, if you are headed to college and you’ve no other way to pay, the GI Bill may provide one reason to suit up.
4. Military Service Academies: The United States Military (or, Service) Academies are federal academies for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for all branches of the United States armed forces. Some academies have a rigorous acceptance policy; but, if you can get into the United States Military Academy (West Point), the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, or the United States Coast Guard Academy, you can enjoy free tuition, rooms, books and meals.
5. Home Equity Loan: Before you think about taking out a commercial loan to pay for an education, adult students or parents might look into a home equity loan, since all of your interest payments will be tax deductible. While the interest rate on a home equity line of credit is usually higher than the rates on federal education loans, but still lower than the rates on most private education loans. Use the link to read a discussion about the options.

Tips

6. Learn About Your Expected Family Contribution: Your EFC is the amount a family can be expected to contribute toward a student’s college costs. All data used to calculate a student’s EFC comes from the information the student provides on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Typically, the lower your EFC, the more financial aid you will receive. Factors such as family size, number of family members in college, family savings, and current earnings are used to calculate this figure.
7. Don’t Include Your Home Equity on FAFSA: You do not need to include your home equity on the FAFSA as personal net worth. Otherwise, you may see your EFC go through the roof. Also, if the student is applying to private schools, make sure you use the Federal Housing Index Multiplier in order to get your home equity calculated based on a national average, not based on your local real estate prices. In addition to a primary home, you also shouldn’t mention vehicles, boats, furniture, and other household possessions as assets (assets that can accrue as you eliminate cash).
8. Get Rid of as Much Cash as Possible Before Filing the FAFSA: Even FAFSA recommends this strategy! Liquid assets on hand (cash, savings, checking accounts, etc.) means that you qualify for less aid. You can eliminate that cash by purchasing school supplies, try to pay off upcoming bills or shift assets into investments or into your mortgage.
9. Don’t Save Money Under the Student’s Name: Assets under the student’s name are assessed 50 cents on the dollar and, as a result, will translate into lost funds available through financial aid forms. Students can even save under another relative’s name to render those funds virtually invisible. Don’t move the funds just before you apply for financial aid — set the account up in another name from the get-go.
10. Pick the Right School at the Right Time: A state school may cost less than a private school, but unless you carry stellar grades, a transfer to a private school after you’ve completed your electives may not work. Additionally, some schools carry more financial aid programs than others — the choice would be to go to the school that offers more aid. Finally, you may want to take a “gap year” to help the parents…if you have a sibling close in age that isn’t in college yet, but who wants to attend, you can save your parents ab bundle by attending at the same time.

Grants

11. Academic Competitiveness Grant: An Academic Competitiveness Grant provides $750 for the first year of study and $1,300 for the second year. The amount of the ACG, when combined with a Pell Grant, may not exceed the student’s cost of attendance. In addition, if the number of eligible students is large enough that payment of the full grant amounts would exceed the program appropriation in any fiscal year, then the amount of the grant to each eligible student may be reduced.
12. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, your financial need, the funding at the school you’re attending, and the policies of the financial aid office at your school.
13. Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: A student whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year, not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year.
14. TEACH: The TEACH grant program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, you must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which you received a TEACH Grant.
15. The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant: This National SMART Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study (or fifth year of a five-year program) to at least half-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language; or non-major single liberal arts programs. A National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study.

For those on the fence about whether or not to attend graduate school to those who already know which and how they are applying to, we have gathered these top 50 must read blogs before attending grad school. A whole host of experts and students discuss everything from the applications process to how to pay for an education.

Top Must-Read Admission Blogs Before Attending Grad School

1. College Admissions For five years, Allen directed Alfred University’s First-Year Experience Program to help students make the challenging transition from high school to college. He now serves as the About.com guide to it and strives to make the admissions process less confusing and stressful. Useful tips include test scores, being waitlisted, and even what to do if you’re rejected.
2. The Ivy Coach So how do all those Ivy League students get into the grad school of their choice? Contact the pro’s at the Ivy Coach for a free 30 minute consultation to find out. The blog is also a great read for any student at the admission stage.
3. Get Into College Blog A professional college counselor in NYC posts inside tips every week. Standout entries include little discussed items like what to do in a college interview and why volunteering isn’t as important as you think. There are even tips on choosing a major and not being frustrated by a low GPA.
4. How to Get In This blog is part of the Edvisors Company. They have tips for everything from how to prepare for college to how to pay for it. Recent entries are on how to use the internet to find scholarships and finance.
5. College Admissions Blog Get a college guide and search advice at this blog. Marcia Y. Cantarella has been sharing the low down on college admissions since 2005, making her one of the most experienced admissions bloggers on the web. One of her latest topics was on not being afraid of failure.
6. The Choice Join Jacques Steinberg, “New York Times” education writer, as he and his colleagues examine all facets of the college admissions process. This includes tips for making a list, filing applications, and many other resources. One of the most recent entries was a chart on waitlists.
7. The Admission Game Visit here for student centered solutions for college planning. Peter Van Buskirk is head of The Admission Game and focuses on connecting students and their families with the best in post-secondary education. He even discusses how C students can get a great education.
8. Application Boot Camp Dr. Michele Hernandez and Mimi Doe cofounded Application Boot Camp LLC after publishing their best-selling book, “Don’t Worry: You’ll Get In” in 2005. In addition to consultations, you can also read their expert advice on the blog. A recent entry focused on easing parent’s fears.
9. College Admissions Counseling They specialize in helping students find the right college. Resources include admissions, the process, rankings, and even a college of the month. They also have specific items such as how the new MCAT affects grad students.
10. College Admissions Blog Part of Admissions Consultants, this is a blog and company that helps students get into college. Choices include specialty sections for graduate students including law, medical, and MBA. News items pertaining to college admissions are often shared.

Top Must-Read Admissions Blogs by a School

11. Prep Talk Andrew Flagel is the Dean of Admissions at George Mason University, which he describes as “the greatest institution in the history of mankind.” With over 20 years’ of experience on the subject, he gives an insider look on how the admission’s process works. Be sure not to miss his videocast with more.
12. Hopkins Insider Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Johns Hopkins Undergraduate Admissions Office here. It is presented by admissions staff members Daniel Creasy and Shannon Miller. Everything from admitted students to the waitlist is discussed.
13. OSU Admissions Blog Click here for the official blog of Oregon State University’s Office of Admissions. Some of the topics covered include campus life, financial aid and scholarships, and even special items for graduate students. One of the most recent entries was on their Mom’s Weekend.
14. Inside the Dean’s Office Lee Coffin is the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Tufts University. However, his tips for the admissions and applications process are worthy of any student. He also participates in the selection of their School of Arts & Sciences.
15. Tulane University Admission Blog A Tulane graduate himself, Jeff Schiffman is now their Associate Director of Admission. He is also a student recruiter and has loads to say on campus activities and admissions.
16. Advice About the UGA Admission Process You don’t have to be an applicant to the University of Georgia to utilize this blog, but it doesn’t hurt. The blog contains helpful hints for prospective students and parents from the Senior Associate Director of Operations and Selection. One of the latest posts was on how to do a Commitment Deposit.
17. Justin Mohney He is the Assistant Director of Admission at Carnegie Mellon University. Get tips for academics, admissions, financial aid, and more with a visit. Goings on at the school are also discussed.
18. Notes from Peabody The applications process for the University of Virginia is discussed here among other things. Questions from prospective students are often the subject of blog posts. The most recent was on diversity.
19. The Uncommon Blog The Office of College Admissions at the University of Chicago authors this blog. Categories include items such as first year applicants and even international ones. The subject of unusual majors was recently discussed.
20. Prospects and Providence This is a blog project of the Brown University Admission Office. A variety of admission professionals stop by to weigh in. Although they can go a while between entries, the tips are useful.

Top Must-Read Student Blogs Before Attending Grad School

21. GradShare Both new and experienced grad students come here to blog about their collective experiences. Their blogs are written by experts in graduate education, all former and current grad students, who grapple with the same challenges you face each day. Check out the most recent posts, or visit the answers or expert advice sections.
22. The Prudent Student You won’t find the usual rants found in other blogs here. This is more of a massive site for students across the country. They feature thousands of interviews with hundreds of schools to bring you the best in all.
23. College Confidential Another group blog, literally thousands of students come here to write and read about graduate school. There are loads of featured discussions to take part in, along with forums on admissions, financial aid, and much more. You can also search for content on schools in specialty criteria.
24. My College Calendar This blog is a virtual calendar of what to expect during the admissions process, as well as college life. Get a week by week guide on what to do and the best ways to do it. There is also a special section for parents.
25. Adventures in Gradland She started the blog as a way to provide information to potential and current grad students including advice on grad student living, rants about grant applications and department funding cuts, and debates about the hot-button topics within her field. She also includes interesting items on a humanities graduate program called “Good Reason to Go” and “Bad Reasons to Go.”
26. Hack College The team of bloggers here have loads to say on what is wrong with grad school and college, along with how to make it right. Tips include how to save money, study, and loads of tech minded ones. One of the most recent was how to sync Facebook and Google Calendar.
27. Life After College No one knows that the story doesn’t end after graduation better than Jenny Blake. She specializes in giving college grads tips and resources for life, work, and money after college. She is currently focusing on one to one coaching for recent graduates.
28. Studennomics 2.0 Because money matters before, during, and after grad school, there is this blog. These bloggers show you how to kill debt that can pile up during school and have more money now. Popular entries include “10 Ways to Speed up the Repayment of Your Student Loan” and “What You Need to Ask Debt Consolidation Services.”
29. College Times Want to know the best colleges for aspiring writers and others? Then check out this blog for these and many other answers to your specific questions. Other popular articles include U.S. sex laws and choosing the best laptop for college.
30. Better Grads They connect alumni of public high schools back to their alma maters as mentors to current students. Many students at all levels participate to learn and share what they have learned. You can also check out the blog with more.

Top Must-Read Specialty Student Blogs Before Attending Grad School

31. Ramblings of a Graduate Student Patrick T. Marsh is a PhD student in the School of Meteorology (SoM) at the University of Oklahoma. A future weatherman, he has loads to forecast on grad school as well. The weather itself also makes it into posts.
32. GPIA/ Milano Grad School Blog Visit here for a blog by students from The GPIA/Milano New School for Management and Urban Policy. They discuss everything from the applications process to finals. Daily life at the school is often shared.
33. NASSR Graduate Student Caucus Homepage Resources for graduate students of romantic literature can be found here. Although related topics are usually discussed, they occasionally drift into graduate school in general. For example, one recent article was on the legitimacy of the graduate student.
34. JD Law Students Blog Are future lawyers really as studious as they would have us think? Get the answer by reading this blog from the JD candidates at the Vermont Law School to find out. Several bloggers discuss everything from admissions to the BAR.
35. AMS Graduate Student Blog Get a blog for and by math grad students here. The blog is part of a cooperative with the American Mathematical Society. In addition to math, they also discuss news, teaching, and more.
36. “>July Dream She is a former graduate student from the Darden School of Business. In addition to checking out posts on graduate school life, you can also read about how she is doing now. The blog is full of anecdotes of life and relationships as they have been and will be.


37. New Kid on the Hallway Follow this blogger as they travel through an anonymous grad school. A law student, they discuss many real life topics in a frank way. One of the most recent was on an ad campaign.
38. The Road Less Traveled Beth Routledge stands out for being both a graduate student and an international one. She is a fourth year medical student at the University of Glasgow. A blogger for over ten years, there is little she hasn’t discussed.
39. Restless Med Student Chakurino was raised in Tijuana and admittedly jumped the fence and got into school for both undergraduate and medical studies. The blog is his insight and commentary on his journey. A recent entry was on his favorite doctor’s quotes.
40. UNL Political Science Graduate Student Blog Although there is an overload of political blogs on the web, this one is written especially by grad students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Humor, politics, and everything in between is features. You can also get inside looks at grad school life.

Top Must-Read Blogs Before Paying for Grad School

41. Planning and Preparing for College Scholarships, internships, and more are all discussed here. The blog is intended to be used as a preparation infrastructure on various areas of college topics. New items and awards are often featured.
42. International Financial Aid Blog Are you a student coming to study from overseas? Then check out this blog to learn more about the financial aid options available to you. Local students can also use it to learn about international opportunities.
43. The Go Financial Aid Blog Visit here for information on financial aid applications, education loans, scholarships, and grants. Based in Pittsburgh, they also discuss the FAFSA and CSS profile. Recent posts were on financial aid disbursement and how to get it.
44. FAFSA Blog The Free Application for Federal Student Aid can be a nightmare for any student. Make it a tad easier by visiting this blog. There are also other resources for paying for school to be found..
45. Graduate School Tara Kuther is a professor of psychology at Western Connecticut State University but has also found success in blogging on graduate schools for About.com. There are many entries on paying for grad school from an expert. You can even check out entries on what to expect during it.
46. Graduate Student Grant/ Fellowship Blog See how you can pay for school with grants or fellowships on this blog. The Assistant Dean of Students for Admissions and Fellowships in the Division of the Humanities at the University of Chicago authors it. Opportunities across the country are often discussed.
47. Student Loan Down Students interested in taking out a loan for school can visit here to learn more. A group of bloggers with Wells Fargo discuss many common and uncommon topics surrounding loans. You can also get tips for students on managing debt.
48. Student Loan Blog This blog and site focus on both the student loan and scholarships. Best student loans offered and new scholarships are regularly discussed. There are also tips for what to do after graduation.
49. The Mad Grad Think that after you graduate school you will get a job right away for good money? So did these bloggers. However, reality turned out to be different and they show how you can spend as little time between the two goals as possible.
50. Stay Out of School Because one of the easiest ways to not pay for school is not to go, there is this blog. It discusses and advocates critical thinking inside and outside of the classroom. Categories include creativity, culture, education, and even thinking out loud.

Although there are many opinions and expert advice in the above top 50 must read blogs before attending grad school, only you and your family can decide which grad school, education, and means to pay it all with are best for you.