Graduate feeder fair draws universities, students

FAMU’s School of Graduate Studies and Research held the annual graduate feeder recruitment fair in the Efferson Student Union Grand Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Students ranging from freshmen to seniors flooded the ballroom as they gained information from different universities offering master’s and doctorate degrees.

Kinna Perry, associate dean of the Graduate School at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, explained to students some benefits of going to Rutgers as a grad student.

“We’ve been ranked the No. 1 diverse campus in the country for nearly 20 years,” said Perry. “Also, whether you’re interested in STEM or humanities, we have a little something for everyone, including a top-ranked business school, criminal justice, public affairs and administration.”

There were more than 20 universities in attendance at the event, each with its own unique opportunities for graduate school. Universities ranged from Mississippi to New Jersey, some even right here in Florida.

Brittany Houston, the academic program specialist at Florida State University, had advice for undergraduate students thinking of obtaining a graduate degree.

“Reach out to the department you’re interested in as soon as possible. When their applications open, start your application as soon as possible,” said Houston. “Stay in communication with the program office throughout the application process so that if you have any questions or you’re unsure about anything you can ask.”

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in Durham, N.C., was also in attendance. Elizabeth Jones, the assistant director of admissions for the school, spoke directly about the school’s benefits.

“If anyone is interested in developing their skill set in terms of working in teams and becoming a leader in the business space, business school at the graduate level can be a great option,” said Jones. “At Fuqua, we offer a couple pre-experienced programs which is great for anyone who is interested in pursuing a business degree.”

The fair allowed students at FAMU an opportunity to network and expose themselves to different opportunities outside of a bachelor's degree.

Students were told repeatedly to be sure to do research and keep in contact with potential schools when it pertains to graduate school.