Getting Into Graduate School

1
Getting Into Graduate School
2
What Are Committees Looking for?

• Purpose for going to graduate school is clear.
• Area of research is well-defined.
• Previous contact with professors at the target
  university.
• Previous research.

3
Grad Committees contd

• Important works or people who influenced you.
• Preferred advisor.
• Computer skills, statistics and research methods,
  languages
• What makes you unique?

4
Getting Into Graduate School What Matters Most

• 151 Departments answered the following
• GPA in major field.
• Recommendations from faculty known by the
  department.
• GRE
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA.
• Academic Achievements (research).

5
What Matters Most

• Personal statement.
• Educational and career aspirations.
• Recommendations (good) from professors.

6
Ways to Beat the Competition

• Fluency in another language.
• Experience with international cultures.
• Communication.
• Computers.
• Research experience.
• Close relationships with professors.

7
Beating the Competition

• Advanced reading in your field.
• Presentations.
• Publications.
• Honor Societies.
• Course in Stats and Research Methods.

8
Letters of Recommendation

• Begin developing a relationship early.
• Keep them up to date.
• Provide the telephone number on applications.
• Dont use friends or relatives or people who do
  not know you well.
• Give them a month.

9
Letters

• Give them a specific date and remind them.
• Waive your right to see the recommendation.
• If you hear any reticence, dont push.
• Discuss specific items you want mentioned.

10
Letters

• Provide your professor with the following items
• SAS postcard saying that the school received the
  letter from Dr. _______.
• Stamped and addressed envelope for the
  recommendation.
• Resume.

11
Give Your Professor

• List of course or courses taken in your field,
  especially with the professor, and the grades
  received.
• GPA.
• Titles and abstracts of research projects.
• Description of your professional goals.
• Letter of application.

12
Graduate School Application Essays or Letters

• Convey your long- and short-range goals,
  including plans after graduation.
• Present your personal abilities, educational
  background.
• Describe the significance of your experience.
• Give concrete evidence of your knowledge,
  competence, and motivation in your field.

13
Essay or Letter

• Demonstrate your writing ability and
  communication skills.
• Provide your reasons for pursuing a graduate
  degree in your field and in that particular
  university.
• Answer the application questions completely.
• Acknowledge a faculty member you want to work
  with.

14
Essay or Letter

• Describe accomplishments.
• Choose words carefully.
• Focus on your strengths.
• Provide a 2 sentence abstract of your McNair
  research project.
• Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite!

15
What to Avoid in Your Letter

• Slang
• References to childhood
• Attempts at the profound
• Humor or cleverness
• Mentions of problems
• The reason I want to go to graduate school is . .
  .
• Modesty
• Typos