TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama Graduate School will host its Graduate School Preview Day on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. in the Ferguson Student Center on campus.

The purpose of this event is to provide information to undergraduate students and other prospective graduate students, including non-traditional graduate students, who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree at UA.

Representatives from the various programs offered at UA will be present to answer questions about graduate study in their colleges. Students will also have the opportunity to attend a seminar on general test taking strategies and to take a free Kaplan practice test for the GRE, GMAT or LSAT.

Students who are interested in attending this event and taking a free practice test should register online at http://graduate.ua.edu/events/previewday.html.

More than 550 students attended Preview Day last year and higher participation is anticipated this year. The average grade point average of last year’s students was 3.7 (on a 4.0 scale). The pre-registrants for 2007 include current undergraduate and graduate students at UA, Stillman College and other colleges in the state, as well as approximately 100 out-of-state students from as far away as Virginia and Minnesota.

In anticipation of recruiting students for Alabama’s new McNair Scholars Graduate Fellowship Program at UA, the Graduate School has invited approximately 200 current undergraduate McNair Scholars from across the United States to attend Preview Day as special guests.

The schedule for 2007 Graduate School Preview Day includes:

3-4 p.m. - Opening Session, Ferguson Center Theater on “The Benefits of Investing in a Graduate Education”

4:15-5 p.m. - Small Group Information Sessions -- assistant and associate deans, graduate program directors and other college representatives talk about graduate studies in various colleges, including:

Natural Sciences & Math – 302 Ferguson

Communication & Information Sciences – 313 Ferguson

Social Sciences – 360 Ferguson

Graduate School of Business – Ferguson Theater

Fine Arts & Humanities – 312 Ferguson

Human Environmental Sciences –305 Ferguson

Engineering – 309 Ferguson

Education – 301 Ferguson

Capstone College of Nursing – 358 Ferguson

Social Work – 204-B Ferguson

McNair Scholars Program – 307 Ferguson

Law School – 300 Ferguson

5-5:30 p.m. - Reception, Heritage Room

5:30-6:30 p.m. - Seminar on “General Testing Strategies,” Ferguson Theater

5:30-8:30 p.m. - Kaplan Practice Tests, Ferguson Ballroom

For more information, contact Dr. Carl Williams, director of graduate admissions, 205/348-5921, carl.williams@ua.edu.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.