Graduate Feeder Program encourages students to further education

Help is on the way for all students interested in attending graduate school. The FAMU Graduate Feeder Program is wrapping up its conference after Wednesday’s workshop, Thursday’s research forum and today’s recruitment fair.

Workshops and seminars were held Wednesday in the banquet room in the Alfred Lawson Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a main event for the Graduate Feeder Conference. Students interested in graduate school learned about the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship, the admissions process for graduate school, academic courses affecting their career, and research thesis/ dissertation papers.

Joane Theodule, a 23-year-old public administration graduate student from Orlando said, “We had a variety of workshops on how to apply to graduate school, different funding opportunities at various graduate schools, and how to write a research/ dissertation paper which was done by the dean of graduate studies.”

Graduate school is an opportunity for students to earn a higher degree and more skills to gain a more competitive advantage in the job market.

“Its an amazing opportunity for students,” said Theodule. “Every student needs to take advantage of this program. This program is phenomenal.”

“It’s for the students who wish to pursue a master’s degree, but let’s say FAMU does not have the program you are looking for or you want to move somewhere else,” said Theodule.  We work with approximately 42 institutions.”

On the Thursday students attended the graduate feeder research forum at the School of Architecture atrium from noon to 5 p.m. This event serves as a place for students to display the research projects and papers they have completed to their peers and colleagues.

“I think some of the benefits of the feeder program is you have a better choice getting accepted into an ideal graduate program or PHD program,” Khindra Decossard, 22, a health care management student from Miami said.

“My best advice to students first and foremost come to our school of graduate studies and research and explore our programs, and if we don’t have the on available for you go ahead and apply to one of the 42 schools,” said Joane Theoldule. “Before you apply to an institution do your background research and make sure the environment will fit your needs that imperative.”

Other graduate feeder scholars agreed that the program benefitted students.

 “Through the feeder program you have the option of having your application fees waved and also there is an opportunity to also receive funding,” said Khindra Decossard.

The funding could include scholarships, grants, fellowships, and job opportunities to help build your professional career.

Today students will get the opportunity to meet and greet some of the representatives of these institutions and organizations that could possibly help them make their next move in their professional endeavors. The Graduate and Professional Recruitment Fair will be held in the Grand Ballroom from 9a.m. – 3 p.m.

According to the Graduate Feeder Program section on www.famu.edu the School of Graduate Studies and Research page the requirements are as follows:

1. Complete 30 hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA

2. Submit a typed and complete feeder graduate participation application

3. Submit unofficial transcript

4. Attend at least four of the graduate feeder program educational and professional seminars and workshops

5. Maintain a 3.0 GPA