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Continuing Education: Graduate Student ACCESS Survey, Fall 2004

Open-ended responses

Click on the links below to jump to a specific ACCESS question



  School/        Student  Quest
  College        Level    ID      Other reason(s) for taking ACCESS classes
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Arts+Sciences  Masters  166600  It was easier than going through regular enrollment just to take
                                  one class.

                          268222  I took a course to get started on my Grad. degree one semester
                                  before entering the program.

                          299951  Gaining in-state residency while becoming familiar with the
                                  department.

                          348025  Get a jump start on degree.

                          401332  To see if I liked the history program or the political science
                                  program.  To gain experience and to meet and build repor with
                                  professors in the program.

                          660864  to brush up on my Japanese

                          667472  To take classes that would make me a more desirable candidate
                                  for admission

                          779756  Individual music lessons.

                          875170  Personal growth and learning

                          924115  I was chopping at the bit to get started, and luckily I was able
                                  to begin prior to my formal admission.

                 PhD      136643  I hadn't decided by the application deadline that I wanted to
                                  enroll, so I hadn't applied for admission.  ACCESS allowed me to
                                  start taking classes and apply for admission the following year.

                          216153  To meet faculty.  To demonstrate the ability to do graduate
                                  level work. To complete coursework applicable to a graduate
                                  degree.

                          423820  "Ease" into return to school after many years and while awaiting
                                  "acceptance" into PhD program. Got a jump ahead on things.

                          483692  To take coursework for my teachers certification in Secondary
                                  English.

                          504228  I was working at NCAR, and pursued the PHD part time, until I
                                  had to go full time.

                          547617  I was taking classes (in the fall) while applying to the
                                  department for spring admission.

                          601311  To start fulfilling program requirements before actually
                                  enrolling.

                          609357  To work towards a certificate program in actuarial studies and
                                  to test out a graduate level math course

                          649318  To meet graduation requirements for Colorado School of Mines by
                                  taking a class that was not offered at Mines the semester before
                                  graduation.
                          812206  To begin the required coursework.  i decided to porsue a PhD
                                  after the admission deadline, and I didn't want to wait a full
                                  year to begin.

                          852692  I thought it would be easiest to take a non-required class I was
                                  interested in this way.

                          952472  Demonstrate ability in History, a field I had not done my
                                  Master's in.


  Education      Masters  354009  I knew that I wanted to go back to school, but I decided to do
                                  so at the last moment.  By participating in ACCESS, I was able
                                  to go back to school and get my teaching license.  I also went
                                  back to school again, through ACCESS, and I began my coursework
                                  for a masters in bilingual special education.

                          627516  To begin taking graduate courses while waiting for admission to
                                  graduate program

                          699906  I decided to begin my masters after the deadline to apply to the
                                  graduate school.

                          852928  I wanted to start the program before I was officially admitted.


  Engineering    Masters  104491  Its conveneince with the work.

                          181176  To start classes immediately with minimal registration
                                  requirements.

                          470794  It was too late to apply for the spring, but I wanted to begin
                                  taking classes because I was confident that I would be accepted.

                          595199  I took courses that I felt were lacking in my background.

                          604627  To get a sense of the Boulder campus

                          848227  Interest in the subject matter. This was before I was enrolled
                                  in my current program and before I had decided upon my current
                                  program.

                 PhD      340938  I was an instructor at the time, and had been accepted for the
                                  graduate program. I decided to begin to get my required courses
                                  before I started as a regular student in the fall.


  Journalism     Masters  246631  I took ACCESS courses before I was accepted to graduate program
                                  because I wanted to get to know the faculty at the journalism
                                  school before I'd commit to a whole program.


  Law            PhD      901401  Just to take classes I was interested in that I had not taken
                                  during my undergraduate.


  Music          Masters  657837  Personal development.

                 PhD      798899  To meet a prerequisite for a course I would be required to take
                                  as part of my DMA
  School/        Student  Quest
  College        Level    ID      Other source(s) where learned of ACCESS program
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Arts+Sciences  Masters  166600  Catalog

                          584635  Learned about the access program while doing undergradutate
                                  studies at CU

                          924115  I can't remember which one it was, but it was one of the two I
                                  specified above.

                          962448  former ACCESS student (word of mouth)

                 PhD      136643  I took courses through the SAVE program (precursor to ACCESS, I
                                  think) while I was in high school.

                          216153  Department faculty.

                          700930  I found the Continuing Ed office by biking by one day. People at
                                  the university were generally unhelpful.

                          952472  Graduate Secretary


  Business       Masters  392345  Husband


  Education      Masters  354009  Alan Dale- BUENO Center

                          627516  took SAVE courses many moons ago!

                 PhD      304878  the person teaching a summer school class that I wanted to take


  Engineering    Masters  440487  undergrad

                          848227  I can't recall

                 PhD      690016  fellow student


 
  School/        Student  Quest   Advice you would give ACCESS students attempting to enter a
  College        Level    ID      graduate program
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Arts+Sciences  Masters  146429  Make sure that you meet with the graduate advisor in the
                                  graduate program you are trying to enter.  The graduate advisor
                                  was a great source of information to make sure that i enrolled
                                  in classes that were necessary.

                          166600  It's a great way to get started with grad school.  You get to
                                  know some of the departmental faculty, you get to try out the
                                  classes without committing yourself before hand, and if you do
                                  decide to go to grad school you can get a jump start on your
                                  requirements by transfering in your credits earned in the Access
                                  Program.

                          179373  Take these classes as seriously as you would once in graduate
                                  school.

                          208769  Enjoy and take any classes that strike your interest for fun.

                          256384  If you are taking classes to learn about a program, take a class
                                  that will provide an overview of the program you are considering
                                  instead of a class that is focused on one topic.  This will
                                  provide you with an idea of what graduate work entails as well
                                  as if the program is what you are looking for and if you fit
                                  into the program.

                          268222  The access program is an easy way to begin your graduate studies.

                          299951  Get to know your professors; they make all the difference when
                                  applying to the graduate department.

                          340253  Access is a great way of exploring the department before
                                  commiting to a strenuous graduate program. Use the opportunity
                                  to make friends with faculty that can help you later on.

                          479910  The ACCESS program is an excellent way to ease into graduate
                                  school because you can take just one class to find out what
                                  graduate cousework is like without the pressures of being an
                                  actual graduate student yet.  Graduate school is hard, take
                                  advantage of the opportunity to get ahead through ACCESS courses
                                  before you enter and make sure you are really ready to work
                                  before you begin your masters program.

                          497532  Take the class!  You really don't have the time to take it once
                                  you are admitted to the graduate program.

                          584635  It is a good way to know the departmant and the professors.

                          660864  You can be eligible for financial aid student loans which makes
                                  it easier to take the classes.

                          667472  make sure you know what the requirements are for the particular
                                  program and either start on those or take other classes that may
                                  not be part of the program

                          766267  I would advise him or her to take there time in their ACCESS
                                  class, to make sure to do all the work, and to meet as many of
                                  the instructors as possible.

                          778225  Take advantage of the university's resourses--specifically the
                                  professors.  You have the same access to the professors as the
                                  full-time students in the program.  Searching out the professors
                                  and letting them get to know you improves both your work and
                                  your chances of admission into a program.

                          779756  It definitely helped me to take one graduate class through
                                  ACCESS so I could learn more about the department I was
                                  interested in.

                          782044  I would talk to faculty from the department whose graduate
                                  program you would like to enter.  They will know what courses
                                  you should take.

                          858244  Talk to a member of the department to which you are applying to
                                  figure out what is best to take

                          875170  Try it out, but you must know what you are getting yourself into.

                          908146  Nework with faculty and staff. Make sure you will get credit for
                                  the classes

                          924115  Taking the ACCESS courses that I did was no different than being
                                  a graduate student. No one knew (besides the professor) that I
                                  wasn't. It was a fantastic way to "try out" the graduate program
                                  and something everyone should do who is seriously considering
                                  graduate school.

                          962448  Get to know the professors in your department!

                 PhD      130218  That it is a great way to take classes without having to be
                                  accepted into a degree program, but it is expensive.

                          136643  Meet with a member of the faculty in the department you would
                                  like to enter before deciding on your courses, so that you know
                                  what pre-reqs are essential to admission.

                          216153  I would strongly advise researching the interests of faculty in
                                  programs you are interested in, making appointments and spending
                                  time talking with them about your interests and background.  You
                                  will likely receive invaluable advice that will help guide
                                  future decisions and efforts.

                          380944  get to know professors in the program you wish to pursue

                          396507  Keep in touch with the teachers/professors that taught your
                                  courses.  Knowing people in the department that your interested
                                  in can be a big help getting into the graduate program.

                          423820  Great way to start back to school after being away a long time
                                  and not sure if it is a good decision to go back to school while
                                  in the workforce.

                          483692  Make sure you want to work really really hard once graduate
                                  school starts--it's a lot harder than undergraduate work!

                          504228  Make sure your classes count toward your graduate degree, and
                                  that your grades are good.

                          547617  Don't just sample classes, take the courses that the students in
                                  the program would be taking. I would have been better off if I
                                  had taking slightly different courses (1 more, maybe 1
                                  different) during the fall before I was admitted to the program.

                          601311  Use your ACCESS time to fulfill requirements that you will
                                  eventually have in your graduate program.

                          607163  take required classes and don't start with the core seminars;
                                  too difficult, there is a reason why people take them in their
                                  second semester and have introductory classes before

                          609357  I would suggest talking to an advisor in the department that
                                  they are interested in pursuing their graduate studies in order
                                  to find out what courses they should take. Also, if they are
                                  planning on taking graduate level courses and having them
                                  transfer in once they are admitted to graduate school, they
                                  should find out how many courses/credits are allowed to transfer
                                  in.

                          635230  Start early (i.e. Fall semester before year you want to start)
                                  and contact individual professors.

                          700930  Just keep trying to talk to professors in the department you
                                  want to be in. It is extremely helpful if you get to know them.
                                  Advisors and other staff seem too busy to help students. My
                                  application was rejected by mistake and if I woulnd't have
                                  followed up on it and asked lots of questions, I wouldn't have
                                  gone to grad school. Take your own initiative!

                          812206  get to know your professors so you can get good recommendations.

                          852692  Don't be afraid of how your past experiences "look".  They are
                                  your experiences and will be looked upon as exactly that,
                                  experience.  Taking "time off" is sometimes better than
                                  continuing through the educational process with no real-world
                                  experience.

                          952472  Talk to other graduate students in the department (best, in your
                                  class) and compare.


  Business       Masters  182428  My situation was fairly straight forward, so I just followed the
                                  basic rules.    I took courses that were outlined by the the
                                  graduate advisor as required for completion of the MS accounting
                                  degree and became a degree candidate only when it was required I
                                  do so for graduation.  This may have kept me from getting access
                                  to monies in the department or perhaps a TA position, but those
                                  were pretty scarce anyway.

                          392345  Talk with your the head of the academic department you are
                                  interested in attaining your graduate degree prior to enrolling
                                  for classes.

                          882463  Make sure you properly select your courses and have the time to
                                  devote to them.

 
  Education      Masters  145727  Plan ahead because not all classes are offered every semester

                          354009  Make sure that the classes you take will count towards your
                                  degree.  Remember that you can only transfer in 9 hours.

                          373907  Make sure and check to see that the course you are signing up
                                  for fulfill required courese in your grad program or you end up
                                  wasting time and money

                          376864  good way to get some classes done

                          469315  Be sure you take a class that is appropriate for you and your
                                  degree.  You don't need to overstep yourself and just wear
                                  yourself out.  I made that mistake and am suffering for it.

                          495983  Take a graduate class in the program if possible.

                          524998  It is easier to complete deficiencies before gratduate school,
                                  but not impossible to classes during.

                          617482  Satisfy as many pre-req's as possible through ACCESS prior to
                                  beginning a program.

                          627516  Make sure you don't exceed the number of credits you can
                                  transfer.

                          699906  That it is a great way to find out whether or not you want to be
                                  in the graduate program, especially if you are unsure of the
                                  dates that all the paperwork needs to be in to admissions.

                          769117  Brush up on writing skills

                          852928  none.

                          935679  It is a great way to try out a class in your program area.  Then
                                  you get to know the teachers and faculty and do not have to wait
                                  until you are in grad school.

                 PhD      709127  Meet with faculty members in your specific field of interest.
                                  My decision to enroll in the program was based on getting a very
                                  good sense from both faculty and current students about program
                                  expectations.


  Engineering    Masters  104491  take it serious to get an A

                          181176  Take classes through ACCESS and test drive the degree program
                                  you are interested in - it is easy to get started.

                          235810  it is great oppertuinty to fullfil gradute school admision

                          261389  Try it first to explore the courses level.

                          310115  Take one class at a time.

                          366854  If you're considering applying to a degree program, find out how
                                  your department handles ACCESS credit.  My program required me
                                  to transfer these classes into my degree track, meaning that I
                                  couldn't transfer credits from a previous program since there is
                                  a limit on the total number of transfer credits allowed.

                          374309  It is a great way to take a class to see if you really do want
                                  to get your master's degree.

                          428585  Do well in access courses to gain acceptance

                          440487  Do well

                          441741  Take all of your prerequisites.

                          493679  If possible, enroll in classes required for your degree.  I did,
                                  and I believe that it helped me gain admission to the program.

                          549117  Get to know your proffessors and get letters of recomendation

                          595199  Go ahead and start taking graduate classes while your
                                  application is being evaluated.

                          604627  N/A

                          755910  Leaning hard and be prepared for future life.

                          760865  Make sure you talk to about 5 different people to make sure you
                                  have the right pre-reqs...b/c every single person will tell you
                                  something different. Don't try to enter classes w/o the
                                  pre-reqs; professors will let you do it.

                          816921  Use the class as an opportunity to meet other graduate students
                                  and faculty members in the department, and get used to taking
                                  classes again if you have been out of school for a long time
                                  (like I was).

                 PhD      340938  Know the requirements and choose those courses most important in
                                  meeting them.

                          444967  Take as few ACCESS classes as possible.  I feel I waited too
                                  long to apply for admission and could have entered the program
                                  sooner.

                          484281  ACCESS is great, but once you're in a program, it's much harder
                                  to keep up your coursework when you have a TA or RA.

                          968048  Talk with the Department Advisors to let them know you are
                                  working hard to gain admission into their program.


  Journalism     Masters  246631  Take advantage of being able to interact with the faculty,
                                  network with them and become active in your school already. It
                                  will help you to advance your study and get you ahead of other
                                  students who didn't have the opportunity to "get their feet wet"
                                  before coming to the school.

                          496805  1.  Educate yourself advanced
                                  2.  And any question you can think of
                                  3.  Talk to everyone you think can advise you
                                  4.  The persistent

                          603063  register early so you can get in

                          922570  Taking a class or two through the ACCESS program can give you a
                                  good feel about the program to which you're applying.  Also,
                                  taking courses while applying to the program enhances your
                                  application, as it shows that you are already a willing and
                                  active student who will contribute to the graduate program.


  Law            PhD      603322  Speak with someone in the graduate department before taking any
                                  classes.  Particular graduate programs only allow a small number
                                  of credits taken before being accepted to a graduate program to
                                  apply to your degree.

                          901401  n/a


  Music          Masters  657837  Take your time - do as much prep work as you want to do first
                                  before entering an actual degree program.

                 PhD      798899  Especially if the student hadn't been in school for a while, I
                                  would advise taking some ACCESS courses to get back into the
                                  swing of things.


 
  School/        Student  Quest   Information that would have been helpful to you as a prospective
  College        Level    ID      graduate student
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Arts+Sciences  Masters  166600  The graduate school, the individual departments, and Access all
                                  function rather independently from one another and no one seems
                                  to know what the other requires.  I had to make lots of phone
                                  calls.  More integrated information would have been helpful--or
                                  one person or office who knows what all the programs are doing.

                          179373  Nothing, my professor kept me informed.

                          208769  The pass/fail option can be very helpful.

                          256384  I believe all the information I needed was provided either by
                                  ACCESS or the department.

                          299951  Don't take correspondence courses unless you need an
                                  introduction to that area of study; making connections with
                                  faculty is the most important factor.

                          479910  How to get teaching appointments.  What should I have done
                                  before I entered my graduate program so that I could have had
                                  the opportunity to teach.

                          497532  I feel that I had exceptional guidance from both the graduate
                                  advisor and  my undergraduate advisor.

                          660864  It would have been helpful to better know the level of the
                                  class, but I think that has to come from the professor.  I
                                  should have spoken to the professor before enrolling in the
                                  class.

                          667472  start on the required courses

                          766267  I think I had all the information I needed.

                          778225  It would've been nice to have some advice on the general
                                  time-commitment involved in a graduate class.  Most ACCESS
                                  students hold full-time jobs, and it would have been helpful to
                                  have gotten a little idea of the investment that graduate school
                                  courses require--just a little something to lessen the initial
                                  shock.

                          779756  None.

                          858244  Start language work early

                          875170  Talking to the different departments beforehand.

                          908146  NA

                 PhD      130218  I cannot think of any

                          216153  I approached the ACCESS program with clear goals so I may not
                                  have taken advantage of many services that were offered.
                                  However, I imagine time with a councelor would have been helpful
                                  - as well as an exploration of opportunities for awards,
                                  financial aid or campus involvement.

                          380944  funding

                          423820  Clearer understanding about how credits tranfered over and how
                                  to make sure that process took place correctly. Especially for
                                  atypical adult studnets returning to school. Things have changed
                                  greatly since my last degree.

                          483692  N/A

                          504228  How many transfer credits a program allowed.  Whether the
                                  classes I was taking counted and were good classes to take.

                          601311  A few more details on how I will get my credits from ACCESS
                                  coursework.

                          609357  I did my undergraduate work at CU as well, so I can't really
                                  think of anything that I didn't know that would have been
                                  helpful.

                          700930  Decide what you want to study and with whom.

                          852692  I should have taken a step back and taken the time to get done
                                  with all of the undergraduate courses a "normal" biology student
                                  would have had.  Jumping from a BA in one field into a graduate
                                  program in another may have looked good on paper but does
                                  nothing for the prerequisites of graduate level courses.


  Business       Masters  182428  I would have signed up for health insurance earlier, if I had
                                  bothered to compare costs with my plan.

                          882463  --


  Education      Masters  373907  Which courses in the Access program directly fulfilled my course
                                  deficiencies for the School of Education.  I spent a lot of time
                                  on the phone trying to see if the classes I wanted were going to
                                  sattidfy the requirement.

                          469315  More availability for a prerequisite that I needed.  I was
                                  pigeonholed for lack of availability and am now having to write
                                  the dean to drop a course that I was sucked into.  in other
                                  words, seek out as many options as possible.  You'll be happy
                                  you did.

                          495983  I did not realize I could take graduate level classes through
                                  Access.

                          524998  That taking deficiencies during graduate school may supplement
                                  my graduate education (Masters in Secondary English Education)

                          617482  More communication between my department and Continuing ed--
                                  prepared linnks between common pre-requesite courses and those
                                  offered by Continuing Ed.

                          627516  I had adequate information

                          852928  none.


  Engineering    Masters  104491  I learned the basics of the program

                          181176  Don't let admittance requirements be an obstacle to getting into
                                  a program you are interested in.

                          310115  N/A

                          441741  One thing.  I wanted to get a BS in Computer Science, but I did
                                  not know that I had to be enrolled for at least 3 semesters to
                                  get a degree.  I basically went to grad school because I had all
                                  the classes I needed and I would have had to enroll and take 3
                                  semesters of classes I didn't need just to get the BS.  I'm glad
                                  I'm going to grad school, though.  My mistake forced me into
                                  something I was sort of afraid to do, but that's not always a
                                  bad thing.

                          549117  The GPA from access classes transfers to your regular GPA once
                                  accepted to a graduate program

                          595199  I didn't realize I could enroll in graduate level courses
                                  through ACCESS and have them count toward my graduate degree.

                          604627  N/A

                          755910  take at most 9 credits before formally being admitted by
                                  department.

                          760865  It would have been helpful if the Mechanical Engineering had a
                                  clearly defined set of undergrad pre-req courses for a person w/
                                  a non-engineering undergrad degree to take before entering the
                                  grad program. They don't have such a thing.

                 PhD      484281  The department I'm in (Computer Science) is not big on students
                                  taking graduate ACCESS courses to get in.  Talk to an adviser to
                                  make sure this will still be a feasible option for you.

                          968048  Make sure you are ready to work really hard for a few more years.


  Journalism     Masters  496805  I didn't find myself wanting for more information

                          603063  more info on variety of programs available

                          922570  I would have preferred to have had a more realistic account of
                                  what courses are offered in the program.  Upon registering, I
                                  discovered that a few of the courses that attracted me to the
                                  program were no longer offered, which was disappointing.


  Law            PhD      603322  I feel I got adequate information.

                          901401  n/a


  Music          Masters  657837  I recieved all the information that I needed.

                 PhD      798899  I pretty much knew what I needed to.


  
  School/        Student  Quest
  College        Level    ID      Aspects of CONVENIENCE that you liked most about ACCESS
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Arts+Sciences  Masters  340253  Ease of registration and applicability of transfer/ credit

                          401332  It was great having evening classes so I could work during the
                                  day.

                 PhD      483692  I work on-campus, so I liked having my classes on-campus, and
                                  the registration dept. on-campus as well.

                          852692  I like being able to take it at my own pace.  When on-campus
                                  classes got too much, I could put off working on the ACCESS
                                  course.


  Education      Masters  469315  The time availability because I have to teach during the day and
                                  I am glad that I was able to go at night.  I just can't take
                                  online courses I need to see a professor and be in a classroom.
                                  Access provides that.

                          495983  The ability to take day time classes and eligibility for
                                  financial aid.

                          617482  Courses available during the summer and worked around my work
                                  schedule.


  Engineering    Masters  181176  Ease of enrollment, minimal requirements, enrollment after Main
                                  Campus registration cutoff dates

                          458799  I have taken classes through CAETE, so I got the lecture video,
                                  and attended in class.  If I did not understand something in the
                                  class, I watched it again.

                          755910  It is convenient for me since I always change location.


  Music          PhD      798899  The particular class I took worked nicely around my schedule as
                                  a then-school teacher, because it started a week later than the
                                  other Session A summer classes.


 
  School/        Student  Quest
  College        Level    ID      OTHER qualities that you liked most about ACCESS
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Arts+Sciences  Masters  480158  To be able to apply the class credit toward my degree


 
  School/        Student  Quest   Things that would have made the process of applying to graduate
  College        Level    ID      school easier
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Arts+Sciences  Masters  166600  Can't think of anything in particular, except that I felt like I
                                  was out there on my own, but I figured that was what grad school
                                  was like: read the material and figure it out for yourself.  If
                                  there was an easier way to do it, I didn't know about it.

                          179373  Nothing

                          256384  Eliminating the GREs.  Eventhough ACCESS has nothing to do with
                                  this, this test proves absolutely nothing.  As for ACCESS,
                                  you guys did a great job.  You made it easy to transition from a
                                  working life, back a to school life and everyone at the ACCESS
                                  office was knowledgable and helpful.

                          268222  It would have been much easier to apply for graduate school
                                  without forms to fill out and without GRE requirements, but I
                                  realize that it isn't possible to choose grad students
                                  adequately without these requirements.

                          340253  Automated transcript process???

                          479910  Not having to take the GRE (just kidding).

                          497532  I received my undergraduate degree from CU, but I still had to
                                  again provide   transcripts from the other universities I
                                  attended.  It would have helped   tremendously if those
                                  transcripts could have been transfered from CU to CU's   English
                                  department.

                          584635  The biggest hurdle for me was getting my slides together.
                                  Keeping up with those as I finish a piece of artwork would have
                                  helped a great deal.

                          660864  This summer my status was confusing because I was already
                                  accepted as a graduate student, but also in the system as a
                                  continuing ed student.  I didn't know whether I had access to
                                  computers, bus pass, etc.  Since I was working until the week
                                  before classes began, I couldn'l make it to orientation, and
                                  wasn't aware of it until right before.  But after running around
                                  campus a bit and calling continuing ed, things worked out.  The
                                  financial aid advisor at cont ed was helpful and an an advisor
                                  at cont ed- I don't remember her name- but she was really
                                  helpful and nice and didn't send me around to other departments
                                  which often happens at universities.

                          667472  more access to a graduate advisor, or at least knowing that one
                                  existed

                          766267  It would have been easier if I had given myself more time to
                                  study for the GRE and put my application together.

                          778225  I didn't find the process difficult at all, but I worked on my
                                  application with one of my professors.  Without his help, I
                                  think the application process would've far more stressful and
                                  difficult.

                          779756  Not having to take the GREs, but I doubt that will happen!

                          782044  I did not have much difficulty applying to graduate school here.
                                  I think the process was fairly straightforward.

                          858244  Nothing within the system

                          875170  Better communication with ex-graduate advisor.

                          908146  NOTHING. IT WAS RATHER EASY.

                          924115  Ha. Lots of things. Less paperwork on the applications, for one.
                                  The level of paperwork to apply to one graduate program is
                                  almost overwhelming. If you apply to more than one, it becomes
                                  quickly unmanageable.

                          962448  I found it extremely easy.

                 PhD      130218  The process was straighforward, and I don't have any complaints

                          136643  More information about looking for schools and deciding what
                                  school is right.

                          216153  Again, I had clear goals and so took care of all the various
                                  requirements without aid from the ACCESS office.  However, this
                                  may not be the case for all.  Since I did not contact ACCESS for
                                  help with my application I cannot say what services they
                                  currently offer or don't to advise and assist students
                                  interested in graduate school, but for many, good advice about
                                  how to submit a solid application, get letters of
                                  recommendation, contact faculty, contact the graduate chair,
                                  etc., could be extremely valuable advice.

                          380944  more time, guidance from an advisor

                          423820  Didn't have any problems with the process. Maybe just having an
                                  "advisor" to ask general questions of without having to "bother"
                                  the department you are applying to.

                          483692  Nothing---except maybe having gone to fewer undergraduate
                                  institutions, but there's nothing ACCESS could have done about
                                  that.

                          504228  It was easy.

                          601311  I found it to be fairly easy.  However, in general, I've found
                                  difficulting getting questions answered.  I'm in a unique
                                  position in that I work for the university and I've taken course
                                  work (i.e. ACCESS) prior to enrolling in my program.  I've found
                                  few people with the knowledge to address my questions about how
                                  all of these pieces come together.

                          607163  CU political science web sites keep underrating the importance
                                  of the GRE score. I thought through access most professors knew
                                  me already and would primarly judge me on my course performance,
                                  which was not true.

                          609357  I found applying to graduate school to be a smooth process.

                          649318  Not procrastinating on filling out forms.

                          700930  Nice advisors. Patient professors willing to talk with potential
                                  students.

                          852692  I don't think there was any real struggle in applying to
                                  graduate school except perhaps coming up with the money for the
                                  testing and application fee.

                          952472  More information about the scholarships in the department.  My
                                  department gives out one scholarship (full ride) for
                                  Americanists and one for Europeanists.  It alternates years.  If
                                  I had known, I could have waited a year and been eligible in my
                                  field.  I was the highest ranking incomeing student, but it
                                  wasnt my year for the fellowship to be in my area.  I learned
                                  that a year and a half after starting.  A big bummer.


  Business       Masters  182428  It was easy.

                          392345  Application process effective.  Nancy Stec-Helstad and the
                                  accounting department provided sufficient information.

                          882463  More defined criteria for acceptance


  Education      Masters  354009  Actually knowing the status of my application.  I had to call
                                  several times and parts of my application had been lost. I
                                  didn't know that I was officially admitted to the university
                                  until the day before classes started this semester.  This was
                                  after I had called, e-mailed, and visited offices several times!

                          373907  Knowing all the deficiencies a year in advance.  I had to pack
                                  in 3 classes in one summer just to qulaify for my grad program

                          376864  nothing

                          495983  Nothing ACCESS could have helped with.

                          524998  I thought the School of Education was very helpful whenever I
                                  asked. Perhaps more publicizing of informational meetings.

                          617482  ONe application process--not having to duplicate work through
                                  multiple applications to the university.

                 PhD      709127  I thought the process was already streamlined - especially in
                                  comparison the process at private schools...


  Engineering    Masters  104491  cooperation

                          181176  It had the appearance of being a larger task that it turned out
                                  to be, so it needs to be well defined to the student.  Send
                                  information to potential grad students in the ACCESS program
                                  that explains how easy it is, with simple step by step
                                  instructions. Have consulars call students and assist while also
                                  marketing CU.  Assign consulars and make a point of contacting
                                  students and make it clear that it is their job to help the
                                  student get into a degree program, if that is what they want and
                                  then follow through and really help them :)

                          235810  yes

                          261389  I new some of the instructors and they were willing to help me
                                  with recommendations.

                          310115  N/A

                          374309  Nothing.

                          441741  Nothing.  I had a fairly easy experience applying.  My
                                  references were all CU professors which really helped me to get
                                  accepted even though I had no GRE scores.  I'm in my last
                                  semester of gad school now for Computer Science and I have done
                                  well.

                          493679  Actually, it was pretty easy.

                          549117  A higher undergrad GPA

                          604627  It was pretty straight-forward.

                          755910  The process is not easy for me since I applied as a in-class
                                  graduate student first and then changed to CATECS student.

                          760865  Nothing.

                          995869  Decided where to apply sooner.

                 PhD      484281  None-I had great advice from inside the department.

                          690016  Not having to fish out transcripts from 20 years ago.

                          968048  It wasn't too hard. Having good contacts, which I found on the
                                  departmental website, made the process a bit easier for me.


  Journalism     Masters  496805  Nothing, it's pretty cumbersome process

                          603063  meeting with an advisor before making my first semester schedule

                          922570  I had trouble, in the beginning, working with the online
                                  application, so I eventually switched to a paper application for
                                  simplicity.  I would improve the online application so that it's
                                  easier to complete and so recommenders can email their
                                  recommendations directly to the University.


  Law            PhD      603322  I was fine with the process.  Some people probably need help
                                  with editing their entrace essays.

                          901401  n/a


  Music          PhD      798899  NA


 
  School/        Student  Quest
  College        Level    ID      Recommendations for improving the ACCESS program
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Arts+Sciences  Masters  146429  Maybe having the advisors, academic and financial, more
                                  assessble 5 days a week.

                          166600  Better information about what it means to be an Access student:
                                  The advantages of being an Access student.  That Access is
                                  separate from the University proper. How  credits transfer, etc.

                          179373  Nothing

                          208769  Works great.

                          256384  Offer more graduate classes.

                          340253  None.

                          479910  None.  It worked great for me.

                          480158  More financial aid available

                          497532  I thought it was very easy to do.  If the cost could have been
                                  less, it   would have certainly made it more appealing to me.

                          584635  I thought it was a good program.

                          660864  I thought that advisors were really helpful.

                          667472  none

                          766267  Get the word out!  I wish I had heard about ACCESS before I did.

                          778225  I thought the ACCESS program did an outstanding job.  It enabled
                                  me to do exactly what I set out to do.  The advisors told me
                                  exactly what I needed to do and who I needed to see.  Perhaps
                                  the only improvement would be access to the courses (ACCESS
                                  students have to beg profs for admission and choose from the
                                  classes with low enrollment), but I suppose that has more to do
                                  with the individual departments than the ACCESS program.

                          779756  None.

                          782044  Perhaps just publicize it.  I think that it is great that anyone
                                  can have the oppurtunity to learn a little about a field without
                                  becoming a full time student.

                          858244  none

                          875170  Allowing earlier access to the classes - that way you will have
                                  a chance to actually take the class.

                          908146  NA

                          962448  Publicize more!




                 PhD      130218  It would be nice to have some funding options

                          216153  I was very satisfied with the program, so have little criticism.
                                   There was some small issue with my student number not working
                                  at first, but that is about it.  It might have been useful to
                                  require at least a short visit with a councelor for first time
                                  enrollees.  It might be more convenient, at least for some, if
                                  the ACCESS offices were located closer to the registrars office
                                  - though I liked the office and it was organized perfectly well.

                          380944  tutition prices were a bit expensive

                          396507  I think it provides a great opportunity for people to attend CU
                                  and take coursework that isn't offered through the continuing
                                  ed. evening courses.

                          423820  None

                          483692  None

                          504228  None - it's a good program

                          547617  The ability to transfer more credits. I think you can only
                                  transer 9, so that might limit you to one semester of classes.

                          601311  Seemed to be great for me.  I would have liked earlier
                                  registration, but I also see the importance of giving full time
                                  students the first choices.

                          609357  I took both graduate and undergraduate courses together and it
                                  would have been helpful to know that that put all of my courses
                                  at the graduate tuition level, which I didn't know until I
                                  received my bill.

                          635230  It seems fine.

                          649318  None- it was pretty easy to use and did not have any major snags.

                          700930  Advisors bounced me around to many different people and ended up
                                  not being helpful for me at all. They also did not have the most
                                  current information about the campus programs. They were unaware
                                  that there even was a graduate policy program in Political
                                  Science.

                          812206  Allow earlier registration with permission of the
                                  professor/department.

                          852692  A wider variety in the sciences would greatly help someone like
                                  me, such as Physics 1110, courses that don't necessarily need a
                                  lab or recitation.


  Business       Masters  182428  It worked very well for me, I don't have any recommendations.

                          392345  Difficult to sign-up and register for classes.  Cumbersome
                                  process.  Need to create a streamlined process.  The current
                                  process is disorganized between the Continuing Education
                                  Department and the Administrative Office offering desired class.

                          882463  -- I thought the program was good and very easy to get set up
                                  with.


  Education      Masters  354009  Accepting more hours transferred in would be incredibly
                                  beneficial.

                          373907  Provides lists of requirements from the different schools at the
                                  Continuing Ed Office

                          376864  i think its great

                          469315  More classes, more availability and at differing and more often
                                  times.  Not just once a week.

                          495983  Are class advisors available?  If not it would be helpful to
                                  meet with someone to learn about which classes you can take, how
                                  to go about registering for grad level classes.

                          524998  Greater accessibility to classes not a part of my graduate
                                  program. More readily available information about how to
                                  register for both my graduate classes as well as access classes
                                  in the same registration period.

                          627516  Nothing.. it's a great opportunty.  I recommend it to fellow
                                  teachers who are looking for a graduate program in Education

                          769117  Don't make students wait until the last minute to register

                          852928  none.


  Engineering    Masters  104491  make classes abailable on line shortly after classes

                          181176  Upon admittance to a degree program automatically transfer
                                  credits to that program, or at least make it a part of the
                                  admittance process.

                          235810  the fees is very high for in state student , it is higher than
                                  in class student, i think if it same like inclass, it will be
                                  more attractive

                          310115  N/A

                          374309  None.  Worked great for me.

                          441741  There should be more education about it.  I talked to so many
                                  professors who had no idea what I was talking about when I said
                                  I was taking a class through the ACCESS program.  It was great,
                                  though, and really helped me slide back into the school thing at
                                  my own pace.  Now I'm feeling really excited about my future
                                  which I couldn't say before

                          595199  I like the program the way it is.

                          604627  I'm very happy with it.

                          755910  it is better if the lab course be provided.

                          760865  The financial aid program could be better, and the financial aid
                                  people could be more informed about scholarships and aid other
                                  than loans.

                          848227  The information I received was out-of-date and had the wrong
                                  address for the professor so some homeworks were very delayed.

                 PhD      484281  None-it's great.

                          968048  Hard to say. I had a very pleasent experience with the program.


  Journalism     Masters  496805  Your doing a good job

                          922570  I really don't have any recommendations for the ACCESS program,
                                  other than that I would recommend expanding it into as much of
                                  the university schools as possible.


  Law            PhD      603322  I only had one course and it was great!

                          901401  I really only took classes because I had an interest in them, it
                                  had nothing to do with the fact that I later pursued entry into
                                  the law school.


  Music          PhD      798899  None.




PBA: L:\ir\consult\CE\ACCESS\Opens.doc

Last revision 07/08/05


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