GRAD Connect Q&A: Current UA Seniors

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That's just life according to me. So if, uh, our participants can hear us and looks like we got back. 18 people joined us. Welcome, we get started in about a minute I guess.

All right, sure, we get started.

So welcome everyone how welcome to the University of Alabama Graduate School. Live Q&A for current seniors.

Yeah.

We are thrilled to have you here with us tonight, and we're particularly excited about some of the questions that you've submitted, so we know there's going to be some good interaction here. So as you know, as a University of Alabama student, the University of Alabama is committed to providing the best possible support and service to all of our students, especially during this COVID-19 crisis.

We worked hard to remain flexible, and we're going to talk about some of the ways that we've made admission easier, especially for our best UA students. And, as you know, University of Alabama is here to respond to any of your questions about UA.

We hope to address your concerns thoroughly and completely.

Now before we do get started, I want to introduce our expert panel.

So with us tonight is Landon Wade, who is director of graduate admissions. I should add that Landon's had a very busy day. He's carve time out, despite the fact he's in the middle of moving house right now. So we're very, very glad to have him here tonight.

Uh, we have Ashley Holman. Who is an admissions counselor with the Graduate School. Ashleys worked with grad school for two or three years now I think.

Yahoo.

And then last but least myself and a good left Weimer Associate Dean in the Graduate School and responsible for admissions, recruitment, and fellowship so I can also talk a lot about scholarships.

Now.

Let's go to the next slide.

I do want to touch on really why the University of Alabama Graduate School, now all of you on this caller experts in the University of Alabama already. You know that this is a great place, but you may not know everything about grad school.

Just like with undergrad, we have some legendary alumni, so fields such as business, engineering, etc. So many of you have probably heard of people like Maryland, Houston who is the CEO of Lockheed Martin. You've probably heard of Jimmy Wales who is the founder of Wikipedia or maybe even non Bowden who is chief engineer of Google. These are all people that refer to as our legends.

One of our goals of this session tonight is to introduce our next set of legends to the University of Alabama Graduate School and hopefully that will be some of you. So in 20 years time, we can be boasting about the great things that you've done.

If you do your graduate degree at the University of Alabama, you know that you're going to be getting a degree that's recognized globally. Your degree can take you anywhere in the world.

You know that we've got well class facilities from the business analytics facilities over in the Business School to the amazing engineering facilities.

So these are some of the top in the world.

And of course you want to stay here to do your graduate degree and stay where it's nice and friendly, and you've got southern hospitality.

We want you to stay at the University of Alabama.

Now I do want to mention some things about admissions and funding.

Many of you are probably aware of the gnu quick admits program and the expedited admissions program, so in the chat box.

There are some links that Ashley and I have put in there.

So, uh, the 2nd. So the first link there the HTTPS gradservice.ua.edu is a link to a listing of all of our programs that lists all the admissions requirements. Grad program director connects, connection information, etc.

Uh, if you go to the bottom there is a link to our quick admit program and basically the quick admit program is currently for the colleges of communication, Information Sciences, business and engineering.

Will also going to be adding in Arts and Sciences and also education. Those have not gone live yet though.

If you have a GPA of at least 3.0 and your current senior.

You can apply without having to submit an application fee.

And many of you probably wouldn't have had to do that anyway, but some may be would.

A statement of purpose and that can take a while to write, so you know we're saving you some time there.

Most of these programs are not requiring a GRE or a gmat score, so that saves a considerable amount of time, even though I know most of you would have loved to take those tests.

And then also letters of recommendation. We don't need those either.

Now there are some exceptions. There are some programs so that still do require the statement of purpose.

Ah, but the web page listed at the bottom of the chat actually gives all of these details.

Now for many of these programs, if you are applying to the same program at the graduate level that you were in at the undergraduate level.

And you have a GPA of 3.25 or more in engineering or business or 3.3 in human environmental Sciences of communication and Information Sciences. So you're going from the same program an undergrad to the same programming grad. You can qualify for automatic admission.

So that means that as soon as we get your application, as soon as we processed it, and I do want to emphasize that we are quite busy right now. So it doesn't mean immediate. So it may still take a few days.

But if you meet these requirements, GPA of 3.25 or more and I'm actually going to see if I can paste this into the chat window.

See how that works? Yeah, sort of works. AH, if you meet that. So if you meet those quick admit requirements, you will be directly admitted to grad school. If your GPA is between 3 and 3.25, you'll go through an expedited review process.

Now how long that will take for each program is partly up to that program, but we're hoping for a review process of taking no more than a few days, so probably probably about a week.

Uh.

In terms of application, there were some questions submitted before hand.

Uh, asking if students were to use the regular Graduate School application?

Uh, that is indeed the case. You do use the regular Graduate School application.

And if you've got an email about this quick admit process, there's actually a link in that quick admit process which will ask you to fill out some basic information and will actually give you a application fee waiver.

Now, if you are going directly farm.

Your current undergrad program to the same program grad level? You won't need the application fee waiver.

But if you were doing the expedited review.

And you are going to a different program at the graduate level.

Under normal circumstances you would pay the application fee, so take that waiver code, add it to the application and that means that you don't end up paying the application fee.

So hopefully that helps a little bit. It's a lot of information, but really do go to the quick admit web page, which is in the.

In the in the chat window on left hand side of your screen.

Ashley, did I miss anything with that?

I'm gonna put so I know that's a lot to take in right now, so I'm gonna upload the link for contact us. We're so we are remote but we are. We have. Our bones are connected sometimes. You know this is Internet interface so leave us a message sent us an email we can walk you through using this code. We can walk you through making sure you're getting your program correct. We know that this can be a little tricky. We're learning this as we go along, so.

This is a brand new thing. We're bringing the all really excited about it, but with everything this is, uhm, this has we were working things out as we go as well. So if you have trouble, don't don't come.

Don't let it overwhelm you. We do have a full admission staff that can help. So what you'll do is you'll go to that contact us. You're going to fill it out and then you're going to let us know what you're having trouble with. And then one of the admissions counselors will get back with you.

So there are a couple of questions. Just came in a one of them is what's the deadline for the quick admit? So if you're applying for summer classes, you need to get the application in as soon as possible. 'cause obviously summer is starting soon.

Uh, another big constraint there is that quick admit will only work until the classes are full, so don't wait.

Right?

Now I feel if you're looking for classes in the fall, the same applies. You know, apply as soon as possible.

Most of these programs are currently 4 four UA seniors, ignoring their internal deadlines, so there actually waiting for applications. So don't pay any attention to the current deadlines right now, but do get these applications in as quickly as possible, especially in the Business School. Some of these classes are close to full already, so just get things in quickly. Another question was.

Uh, heard in some cases the GPA from your last 60 hours is considered considered instead of your overall. Now, if this is a question specifically for the quick admit.

With a quick admit, we are only looking at the overall GPA. We're not looking at the last 60 now. If you're applying to a program not through the quick admit process.

We will actually look at the last 60 GPA GPA from the last 60 hours.

And a lot of programs are waving entrance exam, so if you're not doing quick admit, we still have a lot of programs here. Waiting entrance exam. So you'll go ahead and apply and then we'll fix that on the back end so you can find that on our website as well. Which programs are waiting the entrance exam and most of them are waving for summer and fall and only if you have gone into spring. So that is an option as well. We we are we're reducing that interest exam as well.

All right, another question. It just came in, Uh, I submitted my application today. Is there a wait period? A short answer is is yes because it's going to take us awhile to process these. It's a quick admit, not an immediate admit.

Of.

I would anticipate if you are. If you submit an application today, you might get a decision or might get the official letter probably Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

So does that seem fair, Ashley?

Yes, and you're so you actually can log back in to the application to watch the progress don't be freaked out. If you see it says incomplete due to missing something that you know is being waived. We're having to wait until we get some of these reports ran and we're going to do a mass wipe of these things that would normally be required, so, give us a few days on that, so you're gonna see incomplete. It's not incomplete will get it situated.

But I as we get that done, you will be able to watch the application for Gray should be able to see when it's complete, when it's preferred, and when it comes back and then you get an email with that decision. We don't Mail anything anymore, so everything will be email, so make sure you're using a good email address for when you're filling that out.

So another question here is, is an online MBA an option in the quick admit program? So there's two parts to this answer. The MBA is part of the quick admit program. Unfortunately at the University of Alabama, though our MBA is not online, isn't in person MBA program?

So, uh, yes, but no.

Uh.

Another question is, is is there a way to be reimbursed for the application fees if you forgot to use this code?

I'm really, really sorry, but that's not something we can reimburse. If, uh, if you didn't use that code.

Yeah, so that that pains me to say that, but I'm I'm sorry about that.

Do make sure you need to fill out a contact form though, and let uhm let us know that you wanted to be in the quick admit process because, well, we don't. You know, want you to fall in line with all the regular stuff on the things we're trying to expedite. So you need to fill out the contact me form.

Alright, I just released a whole series of questions here.

Uh.

Someone couldn't hear you, Ashley.

Cover letter you can log back into the application in at anytime and upload a document. So once you submit an application, if you're not cut off from it, go back in, log in an you can actually click and upload documents at anytime.

Yeah, I can certainly hear you.

Ha.

Can you hear me now?

OK.

What if I submit an application today but forgot to include my cover letter?

Uh, there's actually not a cover letter requirement for the application, so.

Ah, that's actually. That's absolutely fine.

Uh.

Students did their undergrad in engineering. Ann wants to get an MBA. They have a 3.3 GPA. Will I be automatically admitted or would I fall under expedited review? Very good question. I'm looking that up as I am answering which I have that on my other computer here. So you're definitely qualify and many of our students in the NBA.

Uh.

Do come from engineering backgrounds?

I wanna say that's a quick at MIT I.

I I think it is, but I want to just doubled.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yesterday I want to say that that that would be a quick and it because the NBA doesn't require a bachelors in India. Is it right and are back in business?

OK.

Yeah, my interpretation is that as a quick admit they actually they actually prefer getting people from engineering than a bachelors in business so.

Uh, my temptation is that is a quick admit.

So.

Uh, another question about online MBA. I did online MBA, just that's that's just not an option at the University of Alabama. Afraid.

Uh.

Now the question from Patrick, what programs are offered online from the quick admit? So in the Business School, guess its management and marketing.

Are two of those programs. I think there's an operations management degree that's online.

In

Engineering.

There is aerospace and mechanical engineering.

In Computer Science and Communication Information Sciences.

Uh, Communication Studies? Is online actually? What else is online in Communication Information Sciences?

Pulling that up, I can't we it seems like they're moving things online everyday.

Yeah, and then human environmental Sciences, there's a number of options online there.

Yeah.

She has a great let me go to.

Yeah, so certainly online is an option. I would invite you to go and look at a college web pages to get a good feel and really you know a good place to get a lot of good information is by emailing the graduate program director when you apply it. When you're applying to a graduate degree, that graduate program directory is a key person to reach out to. They're going to know all the details about the program.

They're going to know the coursework requirements within the program, that sort of thing, and I'm going to.

Put.

Here are the here. The quit. It meant rules right there and then. I'm also going to put the bam about distance.

Website for graduate degrees. An here you'll be able to see every gradually that's offered, but you're gonna have not all of these will be clicking yet, but this will be useful for some. For those of you who are not.

Because there are a lot of programs through Gambon distance.

Yeah, that is really the best result resource for finding which programs are online.

And conflict, uhm? The Graduate School has several certificate programs and there is a graduate certificate in conflict resolution, conflict management. This is a really great option for some people. If you take this certificate program, it's 15 hours. But if you want to get a Masters in ATS, this certificate will take up 15 hours of the 30 required. So that isn't really always. Try to let people know that are going into HS. Please look at this certificate but you can take this certificate.

English programs and that is abandoned by Disney in as a quick admit program.

Alright, we had a question here. It's actually a good question and this often causes confusion. My general information states that I'm a postgrad, but my primary curriculum lists undergrad. am I eligible for the quick admit program? So if your primary curriculum in my balmer is undergrad?

But it also says grad.

You may well already be an AB student, which is someone who has started their graduate degree early.

So typically in that situation you actually already in a graduate program, so perhaps you can clarify that a little bit. Does that sound right, Ashley?

Right, so if you're an amp you've already technically you're an undergraduate student, but as soon as you graduate you will be considered a graduate student because you're taking courses that apply to both your underground in your graduate so.

If you're in an student, you already are technically graduate student, but maybe she's wanting. Or maybe they're wanting to swap programs with. Would you be able to do quick? Admit if you wanna swap from if your under grad and amp.

I think so yeah Yeah 'cause still you are still a primary primarily in undergrad.

Right?

We don't consider you a graduate student until you graduate.

Yeah, a couple of other questions here. I just completed my undergrad through the life track program with a major an interdisciplinary. Does that affect me in applying? Know you can certainly still apply apply so no problems there.

Uh.

Congratulate.

Yeah, yeah, yes congratulations indeed.

So kestin asks I went to the quick admit page and scroll to the bottom and click on the apply now which takes me to a login page. When I submit my username password it says invalid. This is actually a quite quite a common question. So in the application system you're my balmer login will not work. It's actually a separate login system, so you'll actually have to set up a new username and I saw I saw this question a number of time on.

Number of times in the questions submitted ahead of ahead of time.

And you won't do anything in my Bamma, so everything through Graduate School is held through the Graduate School website. Your application, all of that you will not see that in your my bamma. So make sure you write down that username and password because when you're checking your application status it's very different than are going to come back to the Graduate School website to do that and you're gonna create nothing to do with your my Bamma usernames passwords. None of it. You're going to come to the graduate.ua.edu.

Alright, some more questions is.

Marketing plans

Is the marketing Ms an option for quick? Admit yes, but that is one is filling quickly. So get your application in as soon as possible.

Uh.

Question from Reagan. I did my undergrad and news media and communication information Sciences but want to get an MBA.

Uh, could I be ATA in the College of communication information Sciences or it have to be ATA in the Business School? Great question.

So.

Many of you probably know that a lot of graduate students are supported through teaching and research assistantships.

Normally that teaching or research assistantship is in the Department that you're doing your degree in, but not always. So in quite a few instances, that student is doing 80 A in a different Department. So what you're proposing is actually certainly possible.

It's very important that you're talking to the professors in the College of information is College of communication information Sciences about the possibility of an assistantship position though?

Ah.

And then a Liam will there be more funding opportunities for Graduate School with more graduate students?

We don't actually have more funding opportunities right now, but of course as Graduate School, we're always hopeful that that will be the case. It probably won't be the case for this coming fall, though, is the reality.

But I know, uh, in a recent conversation with, for example, the College of engineering.

There still anticipating having funded spots for four 2020?

Uh, so.

You know it's it's late to get funding, especially in the form of ATA.

For the fall, but it's not impossible.

Alright, just had a clarification on that question about primary and secondary degrees from.

Uh, when Isha? So when ** *** entered as a post grad for the second bachelors in food and nutrition?

Ah.

OK, So what if you entered in? If you if you started a second bachelors as.

In food and nutrition, you're still as far as Grad School is concerned, classified as a undergraduate students.

So that if I'm understanding this correctly, that would qualify you for quick admission.

Is that your understanding, Ashley?

That's my understanding.

Yeah.

I'm interested.

Yeah.

Yeah, should be fine. And like I said, if anything is weird, we're going to be doing our best to catch all the stuff on our end. We are happily influx with with applications. Right now we're really excited to have you all. We want you to all come, you know we were ready to get you back on campus, were ready to be out there with you so apply to Graduate School where taking care of everything on our end. Understand that there are delays.

So work with this on that, but you can always get with on my contact page. It may be there maybe a little bit of time in between, but but will get it.

Uh, so Liam has asked again about, uh, uh.

Funding in engineering. So the question is how do you go about trying to get funding so that again that's a great question and the key to most of these things is the graduate program director within that program.

So, uh.

Find out who that graduate program direct is and drop them an email and I'm going to drop a.

HTML address into the chat window.

That if you go to that address.

That will list all of the different programs.

And for each of the individual programs, you'll find the name of the graduate director.

So email the graduate director or give them a call. Probably better to email them right now.

But you know, ask these questions most most of the funding is controlled at the Department level. Once it comes to graduate education, so it's very different to funding at the undergraduate level, which is controlled more centrally.

Uh.

So Lawrence was asking can I discuss graduate assistantships, so I'll give a very quick description of what we mean by graduate assistantships 'cause? I know many of you won't be familiar with this.

So there's two. There's two main kinds.

The most common is what we call a teaching assistantship, and some of you in your classes. Most of you would imagine have had TH helping teach the class, so teaching assistance.

So these are graduate students who are paid to help teach classes.

What those students get in return is we pay all of their tuition. So 100% of tuition.

We also pay your health insurance because we want you to be healthy.

And we also provide a stipend. So basically a salary now that varies dramatically depending on the program. So the minimum stipend is probably about $14,000 from the nine month academic year. Probably goes up to about 20, four, $25,000 for the nine month year.

So these are good deals.

Now also there are what we call research assistantships.

Research assistantships are where you are working with a faculty member, typically on a funded research project, and that project may have been funded by a federal agency such as Department of Energy or the National Science Foundation or the National Institutes of Health.

And it's a very much the same deal you're you're paid for.

Working on that research project, and again you get a tuition scholarship. You get a stipend and you get health insurance.

There are also. There is also another kind of assistantship which we just refer to as a grad assistantship, and that's more administrative. So within the grad school we have about 3 graduate students who run programs for us, and in return we pay them a salary. We give them a tuition scholarship and we pay the health insurance.

Now, this sort of funding is actually very common in the grad school, so 1/3 of our graduate students are supported in this way.

So you know it's very much worth asking the graduate program director for your perspective program about this sort of funding.

So do do that.

All right, uh?

Open up.

Can I pluck go ahead?

I'm going to go and put it. There is a put it in here there asking about cost of attendance. So before you tie into that let me I'm gonna put the.

Website that covers every tuition right? Because it is different out of state in state, family by distance. They're all different prices. So I'm gonna put that on there. It's easiest to navigate. And then I'm gonna put the financial aid link below that. That is important as well. They are really great at UA Ann will help you with understanding owns an all that stuff.

So there's a question here about can I apply to multiple graduate programs at the same time? There's actually a limit on two, so you can only apply to two graduate programs at the same time. So I really want to encourage you to apply to more.

Ah.

Oh, uh, see kissing is asking a question about a non thesis option so great. Another great question. So a lot of our Masters programs can be done as either thesis based or not or non thesis.

Exception is a lot of the business program, so the business Masters programs, with the exception of the MBA are typically one year programs. The MBA being a two year program. But if you go for example to engineering, you can do a two year Masters where part of that Masters degree is writing up a research project or thesis.

Or you can do a one year Masters degree works just coursework based.

So the reality is, most of the people opt for the two year option because it gives them more flexibility moving forward. So if for example you want to go on and do a doctor or PhD, you'd probably want to do the two year option to show that you can do that. That level of research.

But you know, if you want to go and work for a company, and the main reason is to get a salary bump, which is a very valid reason for doing a master's, you know perhaps the one year is a good match.

Uh, I know lots of people spend lots of time thinking about this.

Alright, so Brittany has a question. Is it possible to get an assistantship if you also work at UA? Are short answer to that is if you're working at full time at UA, probably not.

Uh, because basically that would mean you'll be working. You know, an assistantship is basically 1/2 time job, so if you are working full time, you'll be working 1 1/2 jobs. So there's all sorts of implications for taxes, Social Security, that sort of thing.

A out of state cost for online Ms that ones addressed by the link that Ashley put directly below.

A question about eh and S in education? When are the NS and education, anus and education going to announce their quick admit participation details?

That could be as early as tomorrow, so so watch this space were actually finalizing which programs are to be perfectly honest in Arts and Sciences. It's not a lot of programs.

Uh.

I think, uh, the theater program is part of this gender and race studies. There's a couple of others, but there's not a not a lot of programs right now, but that could change in the next day. This honestly, is a moving target for us.

Uh, in education. I actually don't know on that one yet, but you know, as soon as we know will share with you.

No.

Kiss that was asking the question when completing the application, do we have to do anything specific in order to be acknowledged as a quick admit? No will actually will work that out.

Uh.

Get code now sometimes.

We're not gonna complicate or confusion all too much, but if the box pops up and allows you to use the code, use the code. Otherwise, we're running reports and we're going to get everything situated. If you're concerned about something, reach out to us. Don't wait and wait, and wait, we'd rather you talk to us now, then wait till you know it's too late.

Yeah, kissing, you know what we're looking for when you apply. If we see that you are you a senior and you're applying to one of the programs that qualifies for quick admit or the expedited admit will we will assume that that is what you want to do so.

I think we've got you in hand there.

Uh.

Got a question about applying for an assistantship? How do you do that? Uh.

For most programs.

To apply for an assistantship, all you really need is the graduate application. There are some programs that do have a specific application, but this again really comes down to talking to the graduate program director, and you know some people are hesitant to re tap reach out to these people. Do not be hesitant, this is their job to answer these questions.

A member server is asking which of the business programs are for one year, so that would be management, marketing, operations management, management, information systems.

Uh economics finance.

Applied statistics.

What have I missed, Ashley?

It's pretty much all of them apart from the MBA. I should have started with that. It's everything apart from the MBA.

Most programs are gonna be here. I mean realistically give or take.

Yeah.

3033 hours

Yeah, and these are. These are some really good programs in the Business School. These are very highly ranked programs. You know marketing is in top 20 top 20 program in the country or I forgot accounting. That was the one I forgot. Accounting is top 10 in the country finances top 30 in the country. So these are programs that are going to get your really good chops, especially when the economy starts to bounce back.

And if you're applying for fall and you beside you were interested in something for summer, we do have non degree options. So um, got questions about that. We can always get, you know, get you in for non bigger and get you started in classes sooner.

All right, another question here about MBA marketing. So would you be allowed to do two programs at the same time like an MBA in marketing now specifically for that you wouldn't want to do 2 at the same time because within the MBA.

You can actually do a specialization within marketing and you'll get many of those marketing classes.

But if the question was instead, could I do an MBA and a mechanical engineering degree? For example, yes. Sure and many many people do that sort of thing that can actually be quite a powerful combination. Uh, I do want you. That's going to be if you do 2 degrees. That's going to be your life though. You're not gonna have anytime for anything else.

And they have said, you know, they want you want good grades. You wanna go GPS so they watch it.

Yeah, Oh yeah, yeah so don't over commit. A lot of people who are coming from undergrad they used to doing you know 15 to 18 hours a semester. You can't do that graduate level 'cause the grad classes are much more intense, so don't don't push it too much.

Uh, and actually related to that question, a appan my acceptance. How many courses are realistic?

It depends what else you're doing. If we have a student who's on an assistantship.

Uh, about 6 to 9 hours is really what realistic.

If you're working full time on your degree and you don't have any other distractions, you probably could do 15 hours.

And some of the business programs do that, and they assume that you are 100% committed to that program.

So there's a range of answers to that.

But again, I I'm I'm going to say this again, talks in the grad program director. You know, they know really what the situation is for that specific program that they're the experts.

And also remembers some programs they have everything lined out as in what your your courses are going to be. So you're gonna take things in sequence, so you also need to make sure that the program you're entering doesn't have our requirements course requirements, because that sometimes is mandatory.

So Alexander asked Ken Research assistantships be started in the second year of a graduate program. Yeah, absolutely. And you know if you're starting a graduate program and you can't get funding for the next year.

Getting funding for the second year if it's a two year program is certainly a possibility.

My biggest piece of advice to you is to really, you know, knock it out. The park do really well that first year so you know they come and ask you if you want an assistantship. That's what you want to do. Just do really, really well.

Alright, so.

He he.

For specific programs, should we contact the programs, application, contact or contact the graduate coordinator? Good question, because there are typically two Contacts on that page. So the person.

Oh, I'm just finding example of a program hold on a second. I'm looking online here.

Up

If you want question if you want questions answered about.

Things like you know what is the course? What is the course content? What classes do you have to take our that persistent ship opportunities?

The program director is really the person to talk to.

If it's a very application specific question, so.

You know what do I need in my application? What's the deadline? The application contact is probably the best person to talk to.

Uh, typically the application contact is an administrative assistant in the program. The program director is a professor in that program, so they're really going to know.

You know what it takes to be a student in that program? They're going to know about funding.

It is an application issue, so if you're having trouble with the application, a document what you need, that's gonna be us in the Graduate School, so it's a problem with the application. Contact us. It's a question about the program, contact them.

Yeah, and also you know if you know if you don't know who to contact, contact us. We know who to contact.

And that program at the top the website, uhm?

That I linked at the top with admin slash programs that list everyone of our programs when you click on it, the link it goes to their contact, their required documents and then it also links to their pages. Well that website is really helpful.

Yeah.

So you guys would be really good with questions on this.

Ah, but it seems to be drying up for the moment, so will probably going to wrap up in a few minutes.

But you know, I do want to say that.

You know we want you in grad school getting a graduate degree is a great step in your career. If you'll come coming directly from a bachelors and getting a graduate degree, that's in most fields, that's going to increase your starting salary.

And you know, right now is a good time to stay in school. Get those extra qualifications. So when.

You know the the economy starts to bounce back. You are in the best position possible to get the best job.

And that's what we want you to do. And you know we're here to support you through this whole process.

When you go through your graduate degree, we have wonderful professional development opportunities. Some of those are based in the Department and in the colleges. Some of them are based in Graduate School, but we're going to make sure that you have everything you need to compete for that. The best job that you can get.

Again, you know the big thing is we want you to be one of our UA legends. We want you to be the person that were boasting about in 20 years. That's important to us.

Alright, there's another one.

Snow White and apply to my GPS updated.

Oh, there's another one came in here about summer classes, which I missed.

I'm taking summer classes this summer to finish my degree, 'cause I switched majors. Should I wait to apply until my GPA is updated? So if you're looking at applying for four now?

If you if you're looking at applying for four, I would apply now.

Uh.

You know, as long as you are, you know you've got sort of about 90 hours under your belt. Get the application in in now just because some of these programs may fill.

Now there's Hillary. Hillary works for us in the Graduate School.

Is that our Hillary?

When are Hillary? She's stepping when.

I was like wait a second. How does she know that? and I always Hillary so worried about the student workers at and he was talking about.

Yes.

So yeah, uh, you know, do take advantage of our graduate ambassadors program.

I'll make it pop.

You know it's wonderful. You can go talk to a student about the specific program. Someone like. Hillary could talk to you about criminal justice, which is what she's doing her Masters in right now.

Up

And, uh, you know you can learn really what it's like in the program. What are the best courses to take? What are the opportunities for funding? What's the social life it like in the Department? Because even though you're going to be working **** ** your graduate degree, we do want we do want you to have some fun as well.

Do you want you to get out and have a balanced life?

Thank you Hilary. You beat me to the Web sites. She's on it.

Hello.

There's another question, is there an ambassador for every program there is not an ambassador for every program, but we would love that to be an ambassador for every program.

And, uh, you know if you're very outgoing and, uh, you love your Department, do volunteer to be an ambassador for us. We're always looking for more ambassadors and we hold a lot of events throughout the year in grad school, and we invite the ambassadors along. Typically this free meal involved.

I think that kind of fun myself. I'm biased, but.

Is a good way to meet other people too that you naturally may not meet through courses and stuff that you can relate win.

Hillary said that she can help connect you with someone and so you can find Hillarys link under the website under the web link she posted. So shoot her an email over and she can help get you connected with someone.

Excellent thank you, Hillary.

We should have had Hillary as a panelist.

There you go.

Who is Brandon Bassett are?

Fashion.

All right, uh?

I think.

Yeah.

There's her email address at the bottom, so Hillary's email address is posted and the chat. So if you want to reach out with her regarding ambassador information.

Then sent her an email.

So I think we are going to wrap up. I see a lot of the participants signing out and, uh.

You know, just as Ashley is said, your reach out to us. Uh, in the Graduate School, if you don't see the link there anymore, it's kind of scrolled up. Go to the grad school webpage graduate.ua.edu and click on the contact us link. Filling out that form is the best and fastest way to reach us.

So we we monitor that.

That goes from the email address that we monitor all the time, everyday, continuously.

So we're looking forward to having you, as part of the grad school family, will looking forward to meeting you. Uh, once the University reopens, we have very much an open door policy. Come by and see us. So I have a great evening and Roll Tide.

Yeah.

And there was one other question let me have resubmitted question we registered that didn't get answered with someone reach out if you have tried to make contact and you've not got response go ahead and fill out that contact us form again it comes in the email form to us so go ahead and fill that out an uhm and then someone will get back in touch with you.

Yeah, and we are going to try and get to some of the questions that were answered, but you know we have a lot. A lot of people submitting inquiries right now. It's wonderful that we have such a high number of applications coming in, but it does mean that we can't quite be quite as personal as we like to be.

Hi Andy.

Alright, thank you everyone again. Vote Roll Tide.

OK.