The University of Alabama’s Graduate School Preview Day will be held on Thursday, Sept. 13 from 3 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ferguson Student Center.

Blake Bedsole, director of graduate recruitment, said students can expect to gain general information about a graduate education, in addition to information on special programs provided at the University.

The event’s opening session, entitled “The Benefits of Investing in a Graduate Education,” will be held at the Ferguson Theater. Speakers will include faculty and staff from the graduate programs at the University, as well as current graduate students.

Following the opening sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in small group information sessions with the deans, faculty and students from a variety of graduate programs on campus.

A reception will be held in the Heritage Room and then attendees will be invited to participate in a seminar on graduate school admissions testing, including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT and MAT. Lastly, Kaplan, the well-known test-prep company, will offer free practice tests in the Ferguson Ballroom from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tim West, a sophomore majoring in chemistry, believes it is never too early to start looking at graduate school options.

“I’m thinking about maybe going to medical school,” West said. “This seems like a good chance to see what medical school is all about.”

Graduate programs at the University have over four thousand students, in addition to the law school on campus and the medical school at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. There are numerous programs leading to master’s degrees, as well as doctoral degrees. Last year alone, the UA Graduate School received 8,297 applications.

With a vast amount of applicants, graduate programs look at factors other than just academics and entrance exams.

“Most programs are looking for leadership potential, so being active on campus and taking leadership roles in student organizations is a plus,” Bedsole said.