Congratulations, you’re thinking about your next steps after college—that's big deal! Maybe you're thinking about graduate school to get a master's or doctorate degree. You might also be thinking about getting a terminal degree (i.e. MD, JD, PharmD, DDS, etc.) from a professional school like medical, law, pharmacy, or dental school. The graduate school admissions process looks a little different from the one that got you to where you are now. On this page, we explain the basics of what to expect during your graduate application process, and even provide information on resources to help make sure your graduate applications stands out in the best way. 

Most common parts of a graduate or professional school application

Applying for graduate school may be different from when you applied to school to pursue your bachelor’s degree. Because graduate school is considered advanced study, schools often require a more comprehensive application to make sure they are bringing in the absolute best of the best. These are things you can most likely count on as part of your graduate application:  

• Application 

• Official transcripts 

• Statement of Purpose 

• Letters of Recommendation 

• Standardized Test Scores 

• Writing Sample, Portfolio, or Audition 

• Interview 

Standardized Tests for Graduate Admissions

Similar to the SAT and ACT, graduate-level standardized tests assess logical reasoning, analytical skills, data analysis, and even writing skills. Graduate admissions consider your test scores along with all of your other application materials to determine if they believe you’ll be a successful student in the program(s) you’re applying for. Here’s some detail on a few of the most common graduate-level standardized tests: 

Free Standardized Test Help

During fall and spring semester, Coppin sponsors free test prep workshops for any current student or alumni interested in taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Workshops may be part of semester-long series, and run throughout fall and spring semester. 

Workshops include:  

• Math review 

• Vocabulary Development

• Simulated Computer Tests 

• Question-by-question strategies 

Questions? Reach out to us in the Institute for Standardized Testing to learn how we can make your grad school dreams a reality. (contact info: HHSB 346, 410.951.3387, pgass@coppin.edu)

Resources for Professional School Admissions

Where many schools use the GRE for admissions to many different programs, professional schools may have one specific test all applicants must take. Often, medical schools require the MCAT, law schools require the LSAT, pharmacy schools require the PCAT, and business schools require the GMAT.  

Some professional programs combine program applications, test registration, and test prep into one resource: 

Professional School Programs

Professional school programs combine program applications, test registration, and test prep into one field specific website:

• www.mba.com for business school and the GMAT
• www.lsac.org for law school and the LSAT
• www.aamc.org for medical school and the MCAT
• http://pcatweb.info for pharmacy school and the PCAT

Online Resources about Graduate School

ThoughtCo has information about grad school and the admissions process, including GRE prep, and links to other useful sites.

Educational Testing Service is the company that develops the GRE. The Educational Testing Service website has information about the GRE as well as free reviews, analytic writing prompts, practice tests, and online test prep programs.

GRE math review provides instructional videos on GRE specific math topics through Kahn Academy in partnership with ETS.

Free and Paid Test Prep Resources

Kaplan and The Princeton Review are the test prep industry leaders for all graduate admissions tests. Princeton Review offers free diagnostic tests to recruit students for their prep programs. Both Kaplan and The Princeton Review are universally recognized as quality programs. We recommend researching their graduate school resources before considering any outside free materials. 

These free materials offer test review, preparation, and practice, as well as a variety of preparation programs for sale: 

• Petersons (also has information on a wide range of graduate programs and scholarships)
• syvum.com
• Testing for the Public
• 800score.com
• Examville
• CrunchPrep
• Kahn Academy
• Magoosh
• Manhattan Prep
• PrepScholar
• TestPrepReview

We Award Excellence

The Honors Program has several scholarships to offer first-year and upper-division students. Interested in applying for a scholarship? Be sure to follow all the steps in the application process: 

1. Get your Coppin State University admission! The University must admit you before we can process your Honors Program application.  

2. The Office of Admissions sends referral forms for any students who meet Honors Program requirements to the Honors Program Director for review. 

3. After reviewing the referral forms, we send recruitment letters and application packets to recommended students. 

4. The Honors Program Director reviews all completed applications, and reaches out to schedule in-person, phone, or video conference interviews with potential students. 

5. The interviewing committee meets with potential students. After each interview, the committee considers each potential student’s interview results and academic readiness, and sends a recommendation to the Director. 

6. The Program sends award letters and forms to selected students.  

First-year, First-semester Honors Program Scholarships

You’ve just finished high school at the top of your class, and are ready to continue your academic excellence at Coppin! We’re so lucky you’re thinking about joining our Eagle community! For students like you, the Honors Program provides leadership, career, and academic support to ensure you keep achieving even after graduation. 

Eagle Honors Program Scholarship

This scholarship provides in-state tuition and fees for scholarship recipients. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:  

• Be a first-semester, first-year student 

• Have a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) 

• Have completed 4 of the following courses in any combination: AP (Advanced Placement), Honors, IB (International Baccalaureate), GT (Gifted and Talented), AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination Programs), or dual enrollment courses.

• Have significant leadership role(s) within school or community  

Honors Associate Scholarship

This scholarship provides $3,000 a year, disbursed as $1,500 each semester. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:  

• Be a first-semester, first-year student 

• Have a 2.75 cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) 

• Have completed 4 of the following courses in any combination: AP (Advanced Placement), Honors, IB (International Baccalaureate), GT (Gifted and Talented), AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination Programs), or dual enrollment courses.

• Have significant leadership role(s) within school or community

Upper-Division Honors Program Scholarships

The Honors Program also offers scholarship funding for transfer students and Coppin upperclassmen who demonstrate exceptional ability and show interest in graduate study.  

As part of the Honors Program, upperclassmen have access to academic, cultural, career development, and leadership enrichment opportunities, with a primary focus on preparation for graduate and professional study.  

Honors Transfer Scholarship

This scholarship provides in-state tuition and fees each semester. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:  

• Have a degree from an accredited community college. 

• Have earned a cumulative community college GPA of 3.95 or higher. 

• Commit to full-time status as a Coppin student, registering for at least 15 credits each semester. 

Honors Upper-Division Scholarship

This scholarship provides $3,000 a year, disbursed as $1,500 each semester. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:  

• Be a full-time Coppin student. 

• Have a 3.5 cumulative GPA.  

• Have completed English Composition I and II, or the equivalents. 

• Have completed at least 45 credits and no more than 60 credits. 

The Upper-Division Scholarship can be renewed each semester. To maintain your eligibility for scholarship renewal, you must:  

• Earn a minimum 3.2 GPA each semester. 

• Maintain full-time status.  

Interested students should download, complete, and submit the Upper-Division Scholarship application to apply. 

Please note: It is possible that a scholarship award may be reduced should external scholarship funding or other financial aid create an overaward. Please direct any questions you may have about your scholarship award to the Office of Financial Aid. 

Our Goal

Our goal is to prepare Coppin’s high-achieving students to successfully transition to graduate or professional school immediately after college. The Honors Program leans on several guiding tenets to help us prepare our students to achieve academically, personally, and professionally:

• Academic Preparation

• Character Development

• Graduate and Professional School Preparation

• Cultural Enrichment

• Leadership Development

The Honors Program strives to intertwine these tenets through various programming so that our students feel wholly supported and safe in an environment that propels them to excel and achieve.

Academic Preparation

Honor courses are central to the Honors Program academic experience. We limit class size for Honors courses to 15-20 so students can feel part of a safe space to dialogue with other students, as well as with faculty. We encourage Honors students to be accountable for their own learning, and to focus on collaboration over competition all toward the greater purpose of reaching their fullest academic potential.  

The honors academic experience also prioritizes frequent use of primary sources, team-taught interdisciplinary courses, and integration of experiential learning to supplement classroom instruction.  

Character Development

Character development happens when we step out of ourselves, and start to reflect on the needs and challenges of others. With an emphasis on service, the Honors Program encourages students to participate in community-based initiatives to increase social awareness and a desire to give back.  

Character development opportunities include the Honors Community Service Seminar as well as mentoring and tutoring initiatives at Rosemont Elementary and currently, at Coppin Academy, Coppin’s on-campus high school. 

Cultural Enrichment

As funding allows, the Program coordinates field trips to local cultural activities. We also schedule honors lectures, seminars, and workshops on various topics throughout the year. 

Leadership Development

We encourage all Honors students to play active roles in the Honors Program Student Advisory Board (HPSA). Through participation, students develop leadership skills, learn to work cooperatively, build community through social activities, and get involved in regional and state honors activities. 

Our History

The Honors Program started during the 1980-1981 academic year by then-Dean of the Lower Division, Delores Kelley. It was created as a response to the Board of Trustees of State Universities and Colleges’ mandate that required all colleges and universities under its jurisdiction to establish honors programs.

Timeline

1981-1982

The program enrolled its first honors students. Because this first group of honors students was small, there were no honors general education requirement (GER) courses or scholarship funding. Instead, lower division honor students took upper-level classes. At the department level, Coppin created 2 honors courses: Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar and Honors Field Practicum I and II.  

1984

Dr. T. J. Bryan was named Honors Program Director and served until 1990, with the exception of spring 1986 to fall 1988 when Gwendolyn Lamont served as Acting Director.   

1990

Dr. Bryan was named Dean of the newly-named Honors Division. Under her leadership, the program grew, and started offering scholarship funding. Her legacy also oversaw the development of 22 Honors Program courses: 17 honors GERs, 1 lower-division honors course, and 4 upper-division honors courses. 

1998

Ron L. Collins Sr. became Dean of the Honors Division and served until 2018.  Under his leadership, the mission of the program—graduate school preparation--was reinforced with the establishment of the Institute for Standardized Testing, where students can prepare for graduate school entrance exams. Towards the end of his tenure, the Honors Program mission expanded to include career development.    

Achieve more 

For more than 30 years, the Honors Program has been preparing students for successful graduate study at some of the country’s top institutions. Through a challenging and inspiring mix of scholarship, research, leadership, and community service, the Honors Program emboldens students to soar academically, personally, and professionally through an unmatched, personalized educational experience. 

Be part of the Honors Program and benefit from challenging courses, intensive research opportunities, and a variety of enrichment activities, including: 

• Honors Courses 

• Community Service 

• Cultural Enrichment 

• Faculty Mentorship 

Explore our offerings, and take the next steps to become part of our legacy at Coppin and beyond.   

Honors Program Scholarships

Honors Program Scholarships - First-year, First-semester 

You've just finished high school at the top of your class and are ready to continue your academic excellence at Coppin! The Honors Program provides leadership, career, and academic support to ensure you keep achieving even after graduation.   

Upper-Division Honors Program Scholarships

The Honors Program also offers scholarship funding for transfer students and Coppin upper-level students who demonstrate exceptional ability and show interest in graduate study.

As part of the Honors Program, upper-division students have access to academic, cultural, career, and leadership enrichment opportunities, with a primary focus on preparation for graduate, professional, and doctoral studies. 

Presidential and Fanny Jackson Coppin Scholars - Academic Excellence Track

The Academic Excellence Track is available to Presidential Scholars and Fanny Jackson Coppin Scholars as a safe space for academic challenge and a supportive community in which scholars can define and navigate the path towards their professional goals.

Scholars should consider the Academic Excellence Track if they are interested in…

• Accelerated coursework and engaging discourse among like-minded peers
• Professional, leadership, and personal development via workshops and local and national conferences
• Experiential opportunities to include internships and research assistantships
• Meeting local and national graduate-school representatives
• Preparation for graduate-school
• Service to the university community
• Cultural development

Application Process

Joining the Honors Program via the Academic Excellence Track is a simple process.

• Step One:  Confirm your interest in the Academic Excellence Track via the Office of Admissions.
• Step Two:  Check your email for correspondence from the Honors Program and complete and return the short application.
• Step Three:  Respond to the same email with your availability for the required, but informal,  “Getting to Know You” interview.

Still have questions?  Do not hesitate to contact Mr. Paul Gass, Honors Program Coordinator, at pgass@coppin.edu or (410) 951-3387.

Strada Scholars Program

The Strada Scholars Program is a nationwide program focused on the leadership development, academic success, and social engagement of promising students. The program is an HBCU initiative of the Strada Education Network designed to develop the next generation of leaders.

CSU Strada Scholars are identified in the first year of the Honors Program. As participants in the program, they are introduced to leadership opportunities and are prepared for the workforce in pre-professional positions. Strada Scholars also receive scholarship support to eliminate financial barriers to persistence and completion.

Prep for Graduate School Standardized Tests

The Institute for Standardized Testing (IST) provides Coppin students and alumni with the resources and guidance they need to successfully negotiate the graduate school admissions process. Coordinating with Coppin State’s Career Services Center, IST conducts regular information workshops for students considering or applying to graduate or professional school programs.

We also sponsor free test prep workshops for any current student or alumni interested in taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or Law School Admission Test (LSAT). You do not need to be part of the Honors Program to participate in any test prep of our graduate test workshops or activities. Workshops may be part of semester-long series, and run throughout fall and spring semester.

Interested in learning more about how IST can help make your dreams of grad school a reality? Stop by HHSB 346, call us at (410) 951-3387, or email pgass@coppin.edu.