Applying to Graduate School
Should You Go? Finding a Program The Application Process
Common Graduate Degrees
Masters of Arts/Masters of Science (MA/MS) -Normally 2-3 year program -Includes coursework and -Comprehensive Exam or -Thesis or -Practical Experience
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Normally 4-10 year program (depending on the discipline) Focus is on independent, original research May include coursework Includes written/oral qualifying exam Dissertation proposal defense (Why is project worth doing?) Thesis/dissertation final defense
Professional Degrees
Degrees are practical in nature versus reseach oriented Examples: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Juris Doctorate (law), Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), Master’s in Public Policy (MPP)
Should you go?
Decide on your career goal and if grad school is needed to obtain it Don’t go to grad school because you don’t know what else to do Don’t go to grad school because Mom & Dad will pay for it Determine the job market for your field (academic and nonacademic) Decide on PhD versus MA/MS versus professional degree Determine if you have the qualifications/experience to be admitted
Researching Grad Schools
Talk with faculty about programs and professors in those programs Use www.petersons.com and www.gradschools.com to generate a list of appropriate programs Read original articles of faculty whose research interests you Visit/talk with potential faculty advisers and their grad students Talk with the departmental graduate adviser and discuss -The application process -How are admission decisions made (committee or individual)? -How are students supported? -What is normative time for completion and what is the completion rate of students? -Where are new graduates finding work?
Components of the Application
Application (on-line or hard copy) Personal Statement (Statement of Purpose) Letters of Recommendation (normally 3) Transcripts (required for all schools after high school) Test scores (GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, etc.) Resume or CV (for some programs) Portfolio (for art programs, journalism, film, etc.) Financial Aid Forms Writing sample(s) for some programs
Application Time Table
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Begin research about 16 months before the time of attending Most deadlines are between December and February (academic programs). Professional schools may be much earlier. Spring of preceding year -Determine if grad school is right for you (talk with faculty and career advisers -Open a Graduate Reference Letter Service file -Take a free practice test (GRE, LSAT, etc.) Summer -Continue to research program and narrow choices -Collect graduate admission materials -Register for GRE, LSAT, etc. -Begin studying for entrance exam -Request letters of recommendation from faculty
Time Table cont.
Fall (October-January) -Take entrance exam -Apply to programs (complete the application form - most are online -Order transcripts -Draft personal statement (have faculty and career adviser review) -Ensure letters of recommendation are sent to programs -Apply for financial aid • Winter (February-April) -Decisions are made