Name

Mark Vishnevsky

School

California State University, Long Beach

Degree Program

Second year Master of Science student in Kinesiology

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, 2006

Research Interests

Exercise endocrinology; exercise physiology; nutrition

Advisor

Ralph Rozenek

Advisor’s Research Focus

Exercise Physiology

Hobbies

Marathons, ultra-marathons, racing

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I chose to attend California State University, Long Beach for my masters degree in kinesiology primarily because of the school’s location. Its kinesiology program offered me an opportunity to study the subject that I am passionate about without having to stray too far from home.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared for my masters program in kinesiology by simply applying the good study habits that I learned during my time as a student. I studied the material and put in the effort to earn good grades. I took notes in class and asked questions to make sure I understood the material as well.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, California State University, Long Beach required me to submit my score from the GRE. I think the GRE scoring system has changed recently, but when I applied, I needed a minimum score of 450 on the verbal section, 450 on the quantitative section and 3.5 on the writing section. Initially, I took the exam as an experiment just to see how I would do. But I managed to meet my program’s requirements on the first try.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

For my letters of recommendation, I approached professors from a community college that I had attended because I had strong professional relationships with them and had taken several of their classes.

I also asked a friend on my running team who was a scientist. In every case, they were more than happy to write a letter for me.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in kinesiology?

In order for undergraduates to increase their chances of acceptance into graduate school in any subject, I recommend that they stay active in their communities through volunteerism. For example, helping the homeless or volunteering to coach children looks good on applications, and they provide their own personal rewards as well.

Graduate School – The Program

What is the focus of your masters research?

My masters research is focused on my area of specialization, which is exercise, physiology and nutrition. All of those are part of kinesiology, which is the study of movement in the body. For example, kinesiologists build upon basic concepts of anatomy and physiology to examine the biochemical and hormonal changes that occur in people’s bodies when they exercise.

I chose to specialize in these areas because I have always been drawn to the physiological aspects of exercise, especially with my running background. For my current project, I am researching the lactate threshold of the body. That means I am measuring how much lactic acid the body produces during physical exertion.

Does your program have an internship component?

In my masters program in kinesiology at California State University, Long Beach, internships are optional, but I am considering 2 different internships. The first involves working with cardiac patients at a local VA hospital. The other internship centers on helping a professor at the University of California, Irvine conduct a study on how patients on a treadmill or exercise bike utilize oxygen.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

Our advisors are professors in our department whose role is to guide us in choosing the appropriate classes and fulfilling the requirements for graduation. Although we are assigned an advisor initially, I chose someone different because my first advisor was often absent and gave me very little freedom in choosing courses. Although rejecting my old advisor was not easy, my new advisor’s willingness to work with me has been much better for my academic career and my future.

Does your masters program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

My school gives masters students a choice of taking an exam or writing a thesis, but it feels like the faculty pushes us toward taking the exam because theses take a lot more time for professors to assess. Therefore, the professors only recommend the thesis option for students who plan to pursue a PhD. I have decided to take the exam option.

The content of the exam varies. Each student is allowed to choose 3 classes from our program to be tested on. The instructor from each of those classes then prepares both verbal and written questions for us. Once we pass those exams, we can graduate. I already know 2 of the classes that I will choose for my comprehensive exam, which are about physiology and biochemical and hormonal adaptations in people who exercise.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The biggest difference I found is that at the masters level, you are given more responsibility than at the undergraduate level. When professors tell you an assignment is due, they are not going to keep reminding you. They instead expect you to come to them if you encounter any problems. Otherwise, they trust that you will independently learn the material necessary to complete assignments.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

The tuition costs several thousand dollars for each semester. In addition, books cost about $100 for each class. However, some professors do not require books at all.

How are you funding your education?

Most of my masters program is paid for with student loans. But since I was in the Marines, I also receive some money from Veterans Affairs. The VA works with former military students to give educational and medical benefits to veterans and their spouses.

How difficult do you anticipate it will be to pay off your loans after graduation?

I predict that it will be very difficult to pay back my loans because of the poor job market for kinesiology graduates right now. The job outlook is so pitiful that I tend to think people in all disciplines might be better off waiting until the economy recovers to go to graduate school so that they don’t end up with huge loans to pay off and no way to do so.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters in kinesiology?

My masters program in kinesiology is not particularly time-consuming for me. I take 12 units of classes, and that literally works out to 12 hours a week spent in the classroom. I devote about the same amount of time to studying and research. I am also in the process of starting a side business that sets up races for runners, which occupies another 10 to 15 hours per week.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school and my personal life are intertwined, so the impact of my studies on the time I spend away from school isn’t profound. Both my girlfriend and many of my friends are also graduate students at the same university and everyone in my classes is involved in sports and athletics like I am.

However, I manage my time through lifestyle choices so that I am not constantly studying. For example, I don’t have a demanding social life outside of school. I live with my girlfriend, and I am a home body. My belief is that I shouldn’t be enrolled in a graduate program if my lifestyle can’t accommodate it.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I haven’t mapped out the next 5 years precisely but I am considering several options, such as pursuing a career in physical therapy, teaching and going into business for myself. I am already developing a business that organizes races for a fraction of the price that other companies charge.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters in kinesiology?

I advise undergraduates who are considering a masters in kinesiology to work hard at the undergraduate level and carefully consider whether graduate school will be a worthwhile experience. In order to demonstrate that they work hard, students need to maintain a high GPA. Prestigious universities will be much more strict about screening applicants based on their grades than my school was.

Second, graduate school is expensive, so if you can get the majority of your tuition paid for, it is a wise option. But if you have to rely fully on student loans to go to graduate school, think twice. You may not be able to manage the debt that comes later, even with the larger salary that an advanced degree usually brings.