Some seniors plan to keep learning

With graduation just around the corner, some seniors are ready
for another few years of school.

“I feel that with any field you have to keep going on,
keep expanding, keep learning. I feel like I don’t know
anything right now, like I’m just getting started,”
said astrophysics student Christel Smith, who will study in UC San
Diego’s physics doctorate program.

Music student Lyudmila Chudimova, who will attend San Francisco
State University, wants to attend graduate school to help her earn
a teaching position at a university or music school, a job which
requires a master’s degree.

“I want a more specialized music school in which I can
concentrate more on piano and less on lectures, because they
distract me from my practicing,” Chudimova said.

Microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student Samuel
Tchon chose to attend the UCLA School of Dentistry because it will
be a step forward on his path toward being a dentist.

“I’m super excited because it’s what I want to
do for the rest of my life. It’s hands-on and directly
related to my practice,” Tchon said.

Applying to a graduate school is similar to applying for an
undergraduate university, with written applications, personal
statements, letters of recommendation and standardized tests.

“For myself, it wasn’t that difficult to get in. My
scores were like anyone else’s, and I don’t think it
was as difficult as other people say,” Tchon said.

Most students agree one of the hardest parts of applying was
studying for standardized tests like the Medical College Admission
Test.

“Nine-tenths of my time was spent studying for the
(Graduate Record Examinations) and one-tenth was spent studying for
other stuff because I felt that (the GRE) was going to be more
important than my grades that quarter,” Smith said.

The hardest part was getting the different parts of the graduate
school application together and getting it all in on time while
attending school, Smith said.

Unlike other graduate schools, music schools require an audition
in addition to other requirements from their prospective
students.

Chudimova had to prepare an hour-long piano program with music
pieces from various genres.

Though the application processes may be similar, many graduating
students believe their lives as undergraduate students and graduate
students will be very different.

“I don’t know anyone that’s going to UCSD at
all. It’ll be kind of hard to leave everyone at L.A. … but
I think the change from L.A. will be good,” Smith said.

Students who will remain in the Los Angeles area said the pace
regarding their studies will be the most dramatic change during the
transition from college to graduate school.

“I think it’ll definitely be more difficult because
I’ve learned a lot about dental school itself. The difficulty
level is the same as college, but you need to have eight to 15
classes per quarter,” Tchon said.

For many students, prior knowledge of what to expect mitigates
the effect the change in schools would have on them.

“It really helps to talk to somebody in grad school. …
If you’re going to grad school, try to see what they did
because it helps you become aware of what to do,” Smith
said.

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