Finances
This is the amount of money you should aim to save for your emergency fund
3-6 months
These are the three main documents you should have drafted and ready to modify for any new job application.
resume, a cover letter, and a thank-you letter?
This term refers to the process of transferring a lease to another person, making them responsible for the rent.
Subleasing
A document submitted as part of the application that explains your career goals, academic interests, and why you want to attend a specific program.
What is a Statement of Purpose (or Personal Statement)?
The practice of breaking large tasks into smaller steps and scheduling time to complete them.
What is time management?
This single number is heavily influenced by your payment history, the amount you owe, and the length of your credit history.
credit score
This type of question asks you to describe a specific Situation, Task, Action, and Result to demonstrate a professional skill
STAR question
Your monthly apartment costs usually include rent plus this general term for things like water, electricity, and internet.
utilities
Instead of grants or subsidized loans, this type of financial aid is often offered to graduate students in exchange for teaching or research duties.
assistantship (or fellowship)?
A type of insurance that helps cover medical expenses, often confusing but essential for adulthood.
health insurance
A financial account you should sign up for, especially if your employer offers "matching contributions" to it.
401k
The process of researching and reaching out to people in your desired field, which is responsible for filling many job openings.
networking
A fee you pay to a landlord that covers potential damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear.
security deposit
The person in a graduate program who provides guidance, training, and supervision for a student's research or thesis.
faculty advisor (or research supervisor)
The process of resolving disagreements through communication and compromise.
conflict resolution
The maximum percentage of your net monthly income that is generally recommended to spend on rent or a mortgage.
1/3
The common negotiation point that should be discussed only after an employer has given you a job offer and a starting salary.
salary
The non-optional insurance policy that covers your belongings inside a rental unit from theft or damage, but not the building structure itself.
renter's insurance
Latin term for the comprehensive examination taken near the end of a doctoral program before starting the dissertation.
candidacy exam
The process of resolving disagreements through communication and compromise.
conflict resolution
The financial term for the total cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
A common clause in an employment contract that prevents an employee from starting a similar business or working for a direct competitor after leaving.
non-compete clause
In most leases, this is the amount of notice a tenant must give before vacating a unit at the end of a lease term.
30 days
A type of research funding where a student's stipend is paid for by a faculty member's external grant.
Research Assistantship (or RA)
This type of insurance covers financial liability if you accidentally cause injury or property damage to another person.
liability insurance