U.S. News & World Report today released the 2016 Best Graduate School rankings.  Like our friends at mbaMission have reminded us, all rankings should be approached with skepticism and that “fit” (be it academic, personal or professional) is far more important.

That said, here’s how a few American grad schools stack up this round:

Education:

1. Johns Hopkins University

2. Harvard University

3.  Stanford University

Full Education Schools Rankings >>

Engineering:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2. Stanford University

3.  University of California, Berkeley

Full Engineering Schools Rankings >>

Psychology: 

1. Stanford University

2. University of California, Berkeley

3.  University of California, Los Angeles

Full Engineering Schools Rankings >>

See the full list and check out the rankings by grad programs and specialties, here.

The following article comes from our friends at AdmitSee. We’ve invited them to share their insight about peer mentors in the grad school application process.

As you begin the grad school application process, you will have plenty of opinions at your disposal.  From your parents, to your current educational institution, to grad schools themselves–you may be bombarded with conflicting opinions on where you should apply. Add to that the plethora of free (and sometimes unreliable) information on the web, often written by anonymous sources, and you’re likely no clearer than when you started!

If you’re fortunate enough to have an older sibling with a tight group of friends who’ve taken career paths that interest you, you’re in luck! Spend lots of time talking with these folks about how and why they picked their grad schools, what they like and don’t like about their programs, and what they wish they knew when they were considering their options.

But, if you’re like most applicants, you need to seek out your own mentors.

Often, people with similar interests who are just a year or two ahead of you will be your most effective mentors. There are many reasons for this, but, to start, you will have an easier time connecting with your near-peers than with someone who’s 20 years older than you. You’ll find more common connections and more shared experiences to bond over. A strong personal connection is the foundation for a great mentor-mentee relationship.
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For the first time ever, Manhattan Prep is holding a one-day audition for new GMAT, GRE, and LSAT instructors! Come join us December 14, 2014 at 9:00 AM and transform your passion for teaching into a lucrative and fulfilling part-time or full-time career.

Manhattan Prep offers instructors flexible hours and great pay ($100/hour for all teaching and tutoring). In addition to teaching classes, instructors can work on other projects such as curriculum development.

Our regular instructor audition process, which includes a series of phone, video, and in-person mock lessons, usually takes weeks, even months, to complete. However, we are offering a one-day event on December 14^th for teachers interested in working with us. Candidates who attend will receive a decision that day.

The event will take place at our company headquarters at 138 West 25^th St., 7^th Floor, in Manhattan, New York City at 9:00 AM EST.  It is open to candidates who live in the tri-state area, who have teaching experience, and who are GMAT, LSAT, or GRE experts.

The day will include several rounds of lessons, as well as other activities. Each round will be pass/ fail. The day will begin at 9 AM and may last as late as 4:30 PM for those who make it to the final round. Candidates will need to prepare lessons for some rounds; we will send a more detailed instruction packet to those who sign up for the event.

To register, please email Rina at auditions@manhattanprep.com. Make sure to include in your full name, an attachment of your resume detailing your teaching experience, and an official GRE, GMAT, or LSAT score report. We look forward to meeting you on December 14th!

Happy Friday! Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite grad school news and tips from the week:

Succeed as a Nontraditional Grad School Applicant (U.S. News Education)

It might seem like most graduate students come fresh from a bachelor’s degree, but that’s not the case.

Best Majors for GRE Scores in 2013: Philosophy Dominates (Buzz Blog)

ETS has grouped average scores by the test-takers’ intended graduate major, inevitably contributing to the bragging rights of “major” elitists.

Find The Right Graduate School To Avoid Attrition (Graduate Guide)

Just as many individuals are known to leave college before they can finish their undergraduate studies, graduate students sometimes abandon academia before graduation.

Hate the GMAT? 7 Reasons to Take the GRE Instead (Business Because)

You now have options and generally speaking, there are good reasons to take the GRE instead of the GMAT.

Take an Inside Look At Graduate Admissions (U.S. News Education)

Former admissions dean at Columbia University, Northwestern University, Wheaton College, and University of Chicago Booth School of Business shares insider knowledge about the admissions process.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep.

Happy Friday! Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite grad school news and tips from the week:

Best GRE Books (Test Study Guides)

Test Study Guides shares their hand-picked list of the best GRE prep books and explains why these are the most effective study guides for the test.

How International Graduate Students Can Find U.S. Housing (U.S. News Education)

Finding housing from far away can be intimidating, but there are resources to help international students in their search.

Five Reasons Why a Sense of Humor is Crucial to Grad School Success (Grad Hacker)

A sense of humor is crucial to grad school survival, says Grad Hacker. Check out the number of reasons for why this is true.

What to Consider When Considering Graduate School (About.com Graduate School)

The summer months – and the break from classes – gives many students the opportunity to think about the future.

Forge Connections Early with Graduate School Professors (U.S. News Education)

Pursuing an independent study is a good way to get to know a professor better and could lead to being asked to co-author a research paper.

From Summer to Semester (Grad Hacker)

Taking the last few weeks of summer to reflect, organize, plan, and anticipate can help to put the fall semester of grad school into perspective.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep.

Here’s our weekly roundup of grad school tips and news links. Happy Friday and happy reading!

Apply to U.S. Graduate Schools with an American-Style Resume (U.S. News Education)

Keep Your American Audience in Mind as You Write Your Resume to Apply to Graduate School as an International Student

Grad School Admissions: What to Do During Your Junior-Year (and Before!) (About.com Graduate School)

Don’t wait until you’re a senior to think about applying to graduate school – often that’s too late!

Should You Consider Obtaining a Graduate Degree? (Illinois State University)

Deciding whether to go to graduate school is an important career choice that requires deep though. Here are a few things to think about when considering an advanced degree.

How the Student Loan Interest Rate Deal Affects Grad Students (U.S. News Education)

Interest rates for Grad PLUS loans would drop under pending legislation, but only temporarily.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep.

Here’s our weekly roundup of grad school tips and news links. Happy Friday and happy reading!

Graduate Students Can Study Law Without Earning a Juris Doctor (Graduate Guide)

For individuals looking to learn about the U.S. legal system but do not want to earn a Juris Doctor, a credential like a Master of Laws (LLM) may be ideal.

Beat Procrastination with (10+2)*5 (About.com Graduate School)

Here’s a cool technique for conquering your procrastination habits. Pull out your trusty timer and apply the (10+2)*5 formula.

Get a Head Start on Career Planning in Graduate School (U.S. News Education)

Graduate school is an ideal time to undergo mock interviews and prepare for finding employment after graduation.

Grad Schools Less Likely To Admit Applicants With High BMIs: Why People Unconsciously Correlate Weight With Success (Medical Daily)

A new study finds that applicants with higher BMIs are less likely to be admitted after in-person interviews with graduate schools.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep.

Happy Friday! Here’s our weekly roundup of grad school news and tips:

Set Priorities First to Successfully Adjust to Graduate School (U.S. News Education)

Allowing for time to adjust to a new routine and setting concrete priorities will help ease the transition to graduate school

Is It Too Late For Graduate School? (About.com Graduate School)

About answers a reader’s question about whether anyone can be too old to pursue a graduate degree.

Four Lies You Tell Yourself About Productivity (and How to Stop) (Life Hacker)

When it comes to productivity, you may think you have it mastered but check out these four lies you might be telling yourself.

Balance Academics, Activities as an International Graduate (U.S. News Education)

Develop a well-rounded time management plant to help you balance your academics and social interactions as an international grad student.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep

Happy Friday and happy Fourth of July Weekend! Here’s our weekly roundup of grad school news and tips:

Leverage International Roots for U.S. Grad School Applications (U.S. News Education)

Emphasizing cultural differences is a natural way prospective international graduate students can craft unique applications.

What is an Online Graduate Class Like? (About.com Graduate School)

Online classes hold some similarities with traditional on-ground courses, but there are also many differences.

6 Important Things Nobody Tells You About Grad School (Cracked)

If you’re considering or already in postgrad work, take some helpful advice from someone who already has two and a half postgraduate degrees under his belt.

Policing Your Productivity: 7 Tools to Help You Focus (Entrepreneur)

Are you easily distracted by social media and entertainment sites? Keep your focus, especially when it’s time to study, with these helpful programs.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep

Happy Friday! Here’s our weekly roundup of grad school tips and news links:

Should You Go to Graduate School? (About.com Graduate School)

In-depth soul-searching is unpleasant, but vital to making a choice you can live with for the next two to seven years. Consider the following questions from About.com.

How Grad School Officials Evaluate International Applicants (U.S. News Education)

Graduate school admissions officials have to consider enrollment goals when looking at international student applications.

Grad Student Lived on a Boat for 14 Months to Escape Student Loan Debt (Business Insider)

UK native Joe Pearce, 23, took extreme measures to stay debt-free while attending graduate school ” he lived on a boat.

Explanation: How Brain Training Can Make You Significantly Smarter (First To Know)

The brain needs exercise in much the same way our muscles do, and the right mental workouts can significantly improve our basic cognitive functions.

Lessons for Parents of International Grad Students (U.S. News Education)

Parents of prospective international students should involve their children in the graduate school selection process.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep