FCAD GRAD is a chapter of Graduate Readiness and Application Development (GRAD) hosted for the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD). Learn more about FCAD here.
Our 2024 cohort consists of 27 undergraduate students, as well as eight graduate students and postdocs, across all five colleges in the FCAD area!
Each rung of the academic ladder comes with its own challenges; the undergraduate and graduate levels are particularly disjointed. GRAD works to connect these two tiers of student to break down the barriers that exist when it comes to applying to graduate schools.
Applying to graduate programs can feel overwhelming, especially if you're alone. Our program partners undergraduates with a network of other students going through the same process.
Applications for graduate school are far more than just your personal statement. GRAD helps students navigate their journeys from where to apply, to how to interview. We even work with students in the years before graudation to help build their portfolios!
Our Mentors educate students on a variety of skills that sustain value far beyond the graduate application process. We teach students how to market themselves, build CVs, and advise on both personal and scientific writing.