Tag Archives: Graduate Assistantship

The International Experience with Ridhima Baxi

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Saint Rose is well known for its large population of international students. Our campus is filled with students from more than 25 countries including China, Canada, Egypt, El Salvador, England, Hong Kong, Kenya, Thailand, etc. The culturally rich area and adaptive school create a comfortable and easily transition into our college atmosphere.

Ridhima pic23 year old Ridhima Baxi, from New Delhi, India recently made the trek to Saint Rose to pursue an MBA. Upon choosing Saint Rose, she knew that it would “definitely add to [her] international experience of education.”

I asked Ridhima Baxi about her experience as an international student and Graduate Assistant for International Recruitment & Admissions at Saint Rose.

How did Saint Rose help you through your application process?

I was in touch with Colleen Thapalia who helped me with the application process. Ann Wilkening guided me through the visa process. The SEVIS information had to be updated for all my procedures to get admitted into the college.

How did you get your GA position? What was that process like? How did it help you acclimate to Saint Rose?

I had been in touch with Colleen Thapalia for the GA position for International Recruitment & Admissions in Spring. However, I received a call from her in Fall 2012 and continued the further formalities for the GA. I am now familiar with the various procedures of admission and courses of the college for the international students. It is a great experience.

Why did you choose Saint Rose? What do you like about the area?

The College of Saint Rose was referred to by one of my acquaintances as a good college in the area. My family shifted to this area and that was the thing I liked about this area. The college is quite strategically located.

Was the transition to New York different?

Yes, the transition was quite different as I had the visa formalities for admission and other medical procedures. Also, I had to adjust to the extreme climate conditions. But it is a nice and quite a populous state.

International students are required to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS and possibly the GRE/GMAT exams depending on the program the student plans to apply for. The graduate application also requires two letters of recommendation, resume, a statement of purpose, an official transcript, and a certificate of eligibility for student Visa.

For more information about international applicant opportunities, visit the site, or contact Colleen Thapalia at (518) 454-5143.

Everything you need to know about a Graduate Assistantship

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Need help paying for your graduate tuition? Saint Rose is here to help. In April, Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions will be posted on the Career Center’s page. There are about 100 positions campus wide. Possible placements include the Career Center, the Community Service Office, and the Office of Alumni Relations. Students can also work as a GA in an academic department, where the nature of the work is heavily dependent on the faculty or Dean’s needs. For example, a GA in Alumni Relations may help develop the alumni newsletter and plan events, whereas a GA in the English department may serve as a research assistant to English faculty members.

Throughout the assistantship, students get to know the inner workings of their department or office throughout the year, gaining work experience and learning new skillsGA. One of the main benefits of working on campus is that supervisors understand students’ responsibilities, so they are usually flexible with scheduling your work hours. Graduate assistantships are also a key form of financial aid. Students who successfully complete their graduate assistantship are awarded a $3,200 tuition grant each semester.

Graduate Assistants will be required to work 150 hours throughout the semester. That adds up to about 10 hours a week.

Before applying for a graduate assistantship, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements:

  • Be unconditionally admitted to a master’s degree program
  • Be enrolled full-time (at least 9 graduate credits)
  • Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
  • Not be registered for full-time student teaching, internship, practicum, or field placement during the term of position
  • Not have accepted other institutional aid or tuition benefit (i.e. Scholarships, PEF/CSEA discount, etc.)

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Application tips and tricks

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Application deadlines are fast approaching so now is the time to start building your application for graduate school. It’s still early, but there is no better time to start. Applications take planning. You need letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, writing samples, etc. Reduce the stress of last minute scrambling and potential errors by starting now!

General applicants should maintain/organize the following:

1.) Statement of Purpose – The Statement of Purpose is the place to tell Saint Rose why you want to pursue this degree. In your statement provide your goals and aspirations, and how Saint Rose will help you further your career. It’s not a place to apologize for bad grades  and it’s not a place to tell your life story beginning with where you were born. The statement is a place to tell the faculty where you are now and where you want to go and why Saint Rose is the place for you.

Above all else, be sure to proofread. Spell check isn’t as reliable as you think it is.

2.) 2 Letter of Recommendation – 2 letters of recommendation are required for the Saint Rose application. The letters should be written by a professor or a professional. Choose individuals who are familiar with your worth ethic. Don’t ask a family friend or a family member. Your best bet will be to choose a professor from your undergraduate studies with whom you worked closely with, but make sure it’s a professor within your major.

Do you want your math teacher vouching for your grammatical feats?

If you’re choosing an individual from a professional setting, the same rules apply. Choose an adviser you worked closely with during an internship, field placement, volunteering, etc. Someone who knows your work ethic related to your future career.

3.) Official Transcript – Contact the registrar at your undergraduate institution and ask them to send a copy of your transcript to Saint Rose. The college isn’t accepting electronic transcripts, so advanced planning is required. For most programs, a 3.0 GPA is required for admissions.

4.) Resume – Resumes are recommended for all programs, but are required for: Accounting, Business Administration (MBA and all related certificate programs), College Student Services Administration, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Counseling (School & Mental Health), Computer Information Systems, Creative Writing, Educational Technology Specialist, Internet Programming, and School Psychology programs.

Proofread, proofread, proofread! Resume’s are meant to show your professional side and grammatical errors show just the opposite. Visit your college’s career center and ask the opinion of an expert. You can never be too safe!

5.) Writing Sample – Writing samples are not required for every program, but for some. When choosing a writing sample, don’t only choose a good paper, revise it. Edit it again, have a friend read it over, and make changes as needed. No paper is ever perfect the first time through!

6.) Financial Aid – Financing your education can be stressful. Graduate school isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the money. Saint Rose offers Graduate Assistantships and Scholarships. Grants and loans are also viable options. Planning ahead will help the process run smoothly.

Some programs maintain specific requirements, so before applying, check this site.

If you have any questions about graduate school or the admissions process, please call Graduate Admissions at (518) 454-5143 or email grad@strose.edu.

Financing your graduate education

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The cost for a good education can be a little pricey, but it’s very important in pursuing the career of your choice. At times it can be a little overwhelming to create a financial plan that will allow you to attend school, but Saint Rose offers numerous options to finance your education. These options range from scholarships, loans, and federal grants, to graduate assistantships and payment plans. There are a number of ways to finance your education:

1.) Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – the maximum loan amount for graduate students is $20,500 ($12,500 for certificate students)

2.) Scholarships – Saint Rose Scholarships are primarily merit based. Check your eligibility for the various offers.

3.) Graduate Assistantships – GA’s are awarded a $3,200 tuition based grant in return for 150 hours of work per semester. The award is directly applied to the student’s account at the completion of the 150 hours.

4.) Grants - Federal TEACH grants provide up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private school serving high need students at either the elementary or secondary level.

New York State offers one-year Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarships to full-time graduate students pursuing careers in secondary math and science teaching (grades 7–12) in New York State.

5.) Set up a payment plan – Determine the monthly payment plan that works for you

For more information contact the Office of Financial Aid. E-mail them at finaid@strose.edu or call at (518) 454-5464. Don’t hesitate to schedule a meeting to explore your payment options.