Managing the Graduate School Application Process

1
Managing the Graduate School Application Process

• Lynn Curry
• Central Michigan University

2
Your Initial ThoughtsAnd What We Know

• Not like applying to college
• Involves numerous, coordinated steps
• Requires significant preparation
• Need to keep track of numerous details
• Must interface with multiple people
• Rely upon others to complete process
• There will be snafus!

3
The Bottom Line

• Its a pita!
• But, with a positive attitude, plenty of
  preparation and planning,
• and a pinch of good luck
• the process can be smooth and successful!

4
Key Elements

• Personal statement
• Curriculum Vitae
• Recommendation letters
• Transcripts
• GRE scores
• Application
• Application fee (McNair waivers)

5
Steps Preliminary

• Clarify why you are going to grad school
• Talk with professors and grad students about what
  its like
• Research career options for Ph.D.s in your field
• Assess whether you have the motivation and skills
  necessary to succeed

6
Steps Exploratory

• Get involved in research
• Determine your research interests
• Know key players in your field and where they
  teach
• Explore these graduate programs
• Web
• Your professors
• Current grad students

7
Steps Foundational

• Work hard to boost your GPA
• Build your CV
• Research
• Undergraduate teaching assistant
• Internships
• Academic/student organizations
• Volunteer activities
• Get to know your professors!
• Begin preparation for the GRE

8
Key Decisions

• Decide how many programs to apply to
• Consider what type of mix is needed for your
  skill set and credentials
• GPA
• Research experience/faculty contacts
• GRE scores (practice)
• Research GPA/GRE requirements and admission data
• HINT be persistent in getting this info!
• Finalize your list of schools
• Reach, mid-tier, back-up

9
Timeline

• Schedule the GRE
• Best to take it by early fall
• Decide how much you can accomplish during the
  summer vs. school year
• Note that funding decisions typically happen
  well-before formal deadlines
• Best to submit applications by early to late fall
• Most deadlines are December 1 February 15
• Consider school visits
• Summer, fall, spring

10
Nuts and Bolts

• Establish an organization system
• Collect ALL pertinent information per each
  program
• Be sure to note and follow ALL special
  instructions
• Graduate school vs. department
• Begin completing online applications ASAP
• Keep track of user names and passwords
• Finalize base personal statement/CV
• Talk to faculty about writing recommendations
• Request transcripts
• Request GRE scores (can have four sent day of
  test)
• Determine costs (transcripts/GRE scores/fees)

11
The Hard Part

• Take GRE
• Tailor each personal statement according to
  department specifications and faculty research
  interests
• Formally request and get recommendation letters
  from faculty
• WARNING this can be a headacheallow ample time
  and have a back-up plan!

12
The Critical Part(or you probably cant go)

• Research funding options
• National-level (fellowships)
• Institutional-level (fellowships/scholarships)
• Departmental-level (assistantships)
• Collect and complete funding applications
• Dont forget to submit a FAFSA right after the
  New Year!

13
The Big Secret

• Make contact with prospective faculty advisors
• Visit as many schools as possible!
• Follow-up but dont be a pest

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The Other Big Secret

• Confirm
• Confirm
• Confirm
• Confirm
• Confirm
• Confirm
• Confirm

15
Tips

• Proof ALL of your work mistakes reflect poorly!
• Keep track of ALL dates
• When you request items
• When you receive items
• When you send items
• When you confirm that they got there!
• Make a hard copy of everything you prepare and
  send
• Really make sure you follow ALL directions
• Graduate school vs. department
• Appreciate and thank ALL people you come in
  contact with during the process
• Graduate coordinators
• Department secretaries
• Graduate students (who will tell you the real
  scoop!)
• People at your institution

16
If I Could Do It Again(not that you would ever
want to!)

• Apply to more mid-tier and back-up schools to
  have more options (and more masters programs!)
• Make sure I understood what the grad school
  needed and what the department needed
• Request things in advance
• Confirm more consistently
• Get more things done in the summer when I had
  more time!

17
Tools and Final Thoughts

• Access a list of institutions offering McNair
  waivers and fellowships at
• http//www.rochester.edu/college/McNair-Program/ap
  plicationIncentives.html
• Access the CMU graduate school matrix at
• www.mcnair.cmich.edu
• ?
• Make the most of the McNair opportunity.
• Time is on your side.
• Good luck!