#graduate school

Tag: #graduate school

Navigating Grad School: Advice and Experiences from Lawrence Alumna Shreeya Tilva

For many college students, graduate school can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Questions about applications, funding, choosing programs, and balancing responsibilities often make the process seem complicated. To better understand what graduate school looks like in reality, I spoke with Shreeya Tilva, a Lawrence University alumna currently pursuing an MSc. in Industrial Organizational Psychology at Rice University.

Industrial Organizational Psychology focuses on understanding workplace behavior, specifically, how organizations can help employees work more efficiently while also keeping them motivated and satisfied. Through her graduate experience, Shreeya has gained valuable insight into the application process, academic life, and financial realities of grad school.

One of the biggest pieces of advice Shreeya shared was the importance of starting early. According to her, students should ideally begin preparing for graduate school applications during the summer before their senior year. Since Lawrence is academically demanding and students often juggle multiple commitments during the school year, starting early can significantly reduce stress later on.

Before even beginning applications, she emphasized the need to decide whether you want to pursue a master’s degree or a PhD. Understanding your long-term academic and career goals helps narrow down programs and makes the application process more focused. In addition, students should think carefully about the location where they want to study, since the environment, opportunities, and lifestyle can all shape the graduate school experience.

When it comes to applications, Shreeya recommends applying to at least ten to twelve universities. She suggests creating a balanced list that includes top-choice schools alongside safer options to increase the chances of acceptance. Having multiple options can also provide flexibility when comparing financial aid packages and opportunities.

Shreeya also stressed the importance of completing Statements of Purpose (SOPs) and personal statements during the summer. Writing these documents takes far more time than many students initially expect. She explained that students should not worry if their first draft does not feel strong, as it is completely normal. Instead, she encourages students to seek feedback from advisors, professors, and mentors to continuously improve their essays.

Another key point she highlighted is that an SOP or personal statement should not simply repeat what is already listed on a CV or resume. Rather than listing accomplishments again, students should focus on discussing the outcomes of their experiences, the impact of their work, and how those experiences connect to their future goals and applications.

Financing graduate school is another challenge many students worry about. Shreeya explained that master’s programs may not always fully cover educational expenses, but there are several ways students can manage costs. She encouraged students to explore Teaching Assistant (TA), Research Assistant (RA), and Graduate Assistant (GA) opportunities, which can provide financial support and valuable professional experience.

As an international student herself, Shreeya balances both internships and on-campus employment. She shared that international students can work up to 20 hours through internships and another 20 hours on campus, allowing them to support themselves while gaining practical experience. She also encouraged students to actively search for scholarships and university aid opportunities.

While graduate school can be hectic and demanding, Shreeya believes that proper planning and early preparation make a major difference. Her experiences highlight an important message for students considering graduate school: start early, stay organized, seek guidance, and trust that improvement comes through the process.

For students preparing for life after Lawrence, Shreeya’s journey serves as both a practical guide and a reminder that graduate school is achievable with thoughtful preparation and persistence.

Computer & Data Science double major, and Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn

Don’t be Afraid of a Masters of Music

I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Pedlar ‘25 about her experience in graduate school.

Sarah is currently pursuing a Masters of Music in Contemporary Flute Performance at the Manhattan School of Music, and is about to be done with her first year. When asked about why she wanted to continue her education, she mentioned how in the music world, getting a Masters is kind of just what you do. If performing is your goal and music is your passion, this makes perfect sense. She also talked about how she was ready to specialize, as the musical education one receives from Lawrence is primarily classical, and she had a strong passion for more contemporary music. Sarah applied to about 5 specific programs for this. 

Preparing for your grad school application for music specifically is crucial. You have to audition, either in person or virtually, and do prescreen auditions as well. Pedlar mentioned a very common tactic to do this is to not just rely on those of your same instrument. Many people will have professors and friends listen to their audition repertoire, but it is important to gain various perspectives. If you play the clarinet, maybe think about asking some brass musicians to listen, or even the non musicians in your life. You never know what input people will have, especially coming from different backgrounds both musically and personally. 

When asked about if there was anything she wished she knew when applying to grad school and choosing where to go, Sarah talked about finances. She described that as a student going into her second year, her school has made it very clear on how to appeal financial aid packages. Yet, as an incoming student, she had no idea. It’s important to inquire not only about aid, but also assistantships, housing, and especially cost of living. Going from studying in Appleton, WI to New York, NY has a huge price jump. That’s something a lot of people don’t really think about. Sarah’s opinion was to always argue for more aid. You never know what they might say, and the worst they could say is “no”.

In comparison to Lawrence, grad school is very different. An 8:30 class in Appleton obviously is very early. For Pedlar, a 9:00 class time feels earlier than she was used to here, since you have to add in commuting time. As well, electives are a given in any path to higher education. Here at Lawrence, we are more prepared for grad school than you might think. Sarah talked about how since we register ourselves for classes starting your first term your first year, we have a really good sense of the kinds of classes that fit us, which is a leg up when it comes to graduate school. The Lawrence Busy is also something many other programs don’t have, not to our degree anyway. Pedlar mentioned actually feeling like she has more time in her day and how The Lawrence Busy prepared her very well to balance a Masters program with everyday life. With that, us Lawrentians are used to 10 week terms. Everywhere else primarily has semesters. In comparison, a 15 week semester can feel very long in comparison to our normal 10, which was something Sarah mentioned as well. She also talked about how she felt like she was learning the same amount of content as she would’ve learned here in 10 weeks, but in 15 in New York.

Offering some pieces of advice, Sarah Pedlar said that early preparation is key. Doing your research in a timely manner is so important! If graduate school is something that is a possibility for you, start investigating. Which professors would you want to work with? Where would you want to live? What kind of program suits your goals? Typically if you are at LU for four years, your third year is when you should start poking around. Don’t forget to use your network. Talk with your professors, friends, upperclassmen, alumni, everyone. Talk out loud in conversations focused on what you want to do with your favorite professor, as this is how Sarah ended up going through with submitting her application to the Manhattan School of Music. 

“Push yourself to do what you actually want to do,” Sarah said as her final piece of advice. Good luck Lawrentians, you can do this!

Resources for finding worthwhile Data Science Graduate Programs 

If you’re thinking of going to graduate school to obtain a graduate degree in Data Science, you might have some idea of how overwhelming the search process can be. With a number of programs across the U.S. and globally—each offering different specializations, formats, and career outcomes—it’s hard to know where to start. 

Instead of trying to evaluate every program individually, a smarter approach is to rely on trusted rankings, directories, and curated listings. Let us explore some highly useful resources that can help you efficiently filter your options and find programs that align with your career goals. 

1. U.S. News & World Report – Best Data Science Programs 

Link: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/data-science-rankings 

U.S. News & World Report, one of the widely recognized ranking platforms, provides a structured and reputation-based ranking of top Data Science and related programs. 

Why it’s helpful: 

  • Offers rankings on the basis of academic reputation and faculty strength 
  • Includes filters for location, tuition, and program size 
  • Provides insights into similar fields like statistics, computer science, and AI 

Best for: 

  • Students who want a quick overview of top-tier programs 
  • Applicants targeting prestigious and research-intensive schools 
  • Those comparing programs across multiple disciplines 

2. Data Science Graduate Programs Directory (KDnuggets) 

Link: https://www.kdnuggets.com/education/colleges.html 

KDnuggets maintains a comprehensive directory of Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI graduate programs around the world. 

Why it’s helpful: 

  • Covers a wide range of universities, including lesser-known but strong options 
  • Lists degree types (Master’s, PhD, certificates) 
  • Includes online and hybrid program options, which many rankings overlook 

Best for: 

  • Students looking beyond just “top-ranked” schools 
  • Those interested in flexible or online learning 
  • Applicants who want a broader perspective in the field of Data Science 

3. Coursera & edX University Program Listings 

Links: 

While primarily known for online courses, both Coursera and edX partner with universities to offer full-fledged online master’s degrees in data science and related fields. 

Why it’s helpful: 

  • Highlights affordable and flexible degree programs 
  • Allows you to preview course content before applying 
  • Often features programs from well-known universities and companies 

Best for: 

  • Working professionals balancing career and education 
  • Students seeking budget-friendly learning options 
  • International students looking for accessible US or global programs 

Final Thoughts 

No single resource will give you the perfect answer—but using a combination of rankings, directories, and program platforms can dramatically improve your search. 

  • Start with U.S. News & World Report for prestige and benchmarking 
  • Use KDNuggets to explore the full landscape 
  • Consider Coursera/edX for flexible and cost-effective options 

Setting these resources as your starting point and going off of it to do more research could give you a good head start for navigating your grad school search. 

Computer Science major and Data Science & Mathematics minor at Lawrence University, and the President of the Lawrence University Data Science Club. Connect with Sabin on LinkedIn