Applying to Ph'D' programs

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Applying to Ph.D. programs

• CBS Proseminar Topic
• Fall 2005

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Applying after a Masters program

• Similar to applying after BA, but some
  differences
• Not just coursework
• Your research projects
• Thesis - demonstration of your ability to
• Conduct original research
• Present written results
• Other research experiences
• Other professional development experiences
• Use your masters experience to build a focus
  within an area
• Ph.D. programs arent the place to decide what
  you want to do

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Applying Check list

• Finish the thesis
• Keep your vita updated
• Prepare your list of schools
• Consider retaking your GRE
• Prepare your list of references
• Visit the school
• Write your statement of purpose
• Apply - dont miss the deadlines!

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1. Finish the Thesis

• Good idea to have at least your proposal done
  when applying
• Finish the Masters before starting the Ph.D.
  program
• May not let you in until you do
• Hard to finish the masters with all of the new
  work

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2. Update your vita

• Keep track of all of your professionally related
  experiences
• All presentations (posters, talks, papers)
• Specialized training (workshops, lab experiences,
  etc.)
• Teaching experience
• Update regularly
• Get in the habit of checking on a monthly basis

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3. Prepare your list of programs

• How many?
• I recommend several (with a range of difficulty)
• Which?
• Match with advisor
• Their research interests
• Their prestige, willingness to publish with
  students (empirical reports and book chapters)
• Their recent graduates
• Their current graduate students
• Quality of the program
• How do you tell?
• Word of mouth, ratings, publications, resources
  ,grants
• Money - how well are the graduate students paid?

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4. Consider retaking GRE

• If you are unhappy with your scores take the
  tests again (hopefully grad school will have
  helped)
• Check out the schools that you are applying to.
• Often they list average GRE scores of applicants

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5. Prepare your list of references

• Who do you pick?
• Thesis committee chair
• People who know your research skills
• People who know your teaching skills
• People who know people at the prospective program
• What do you give your references?
• Written statement
• Vita
• Organized packet including all the letter forms,
  clear deadlines, etc

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6. Visit the school

• Why is it important?
• Meet with your future advisor
• Meet with your future graduate student peers
• Demonstrate your initiative
• Put a face to the name on the application
• See the resources available to students
• Get a feel of the place
• Make a virtual visit, send an e-mail to potential
  advisors
• Sometimes theyll pay for your visit

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7. Write your statement of purpose

• Spend time with this
• Plan on several drafts
• Get people (especially faculty) to look it over
• Customize tailor at least part of the statement
  to the people/place that you are applying to
• Keep it relatively brief (dont go over the space
  allotted)
• Proofread (dont let them read your mistakes)
• Things to focus on
• Your research experiences
• Your goals/plans in the profession

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8. Apply

• Dont miss the deadlines!
• Allow plenty of extra time for letters, GRE
  scores, etc. to get there

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List of 15 things evaluated

• Applicant is listed as a senior author of a
  research article.
• Applicant is sole author on a paper at
  convention.
• Applicant has a letter from a prominent mentor.
• Applicant's personal statement reveals a
  sustained and focused interest in an area
  appropriate to your program.
• Applicant has earned a junior authorship on a
  research article
• Applicant is in the top 5 of the graduating
  class.
• Applicant writes very well.
• Applicant includes a research paper in submitted
  application package that is relevant to your
  program focus.

9.Application materials indicate that applicant
paid considerable attention to assessing a
"match' 10. Applicant is the sole author of a
paper presented at an undergraduate research
conference. 11. Applicant was a research
assistant as an undergraduate. 12. Applicant is
a "self-starter" (according to recommenders).
13. Applicant was a junior author of paper at
APA, APS or a large regional association
convention. 14. Applicant won a departmental
award in a research paper competition. 15
Applicant is highly motivated to achieve
(according to recommenders).
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After you are in

• Assuming you are accepted to more than one
• Enjoy - now theyre fighting over you
• Visit (especially if you havent already)
• Ask questions
• 1 How would you describe student-faculty
  relations in your graduate program?
• 2 Is your potential advisor friendly? What's he
  or she like?
• 3 Where have recent graduates of the program
  recently been employed?
• 4 Are students in the program publishing? Where
  have they published?
• 5 Are students expected to buy their own
  computers, or are there enough computers
  available in the campus laboratories to get work
  done there?
• 6 What do students do for fun?
• 7 How many students in the program are married?
  How many are single?
• 8 How expensive is it to live in the area?

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Things to avoid doing

• Giving recommenders little lead time
• Not doing background work on programs and
  potential advisors
• Not considering financial concerns
• Not letting somebody read your personal statement

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Useful resources

• http//www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/5353/clas
  ses/gradschool.html
• http//online.sfsu.edu/mgriffin/consider.html