Brandon Hunt, PHd

Penn State University

Graduate School: Applying and Getting Accepted into the

Program of Your Choice

Is Graduate School Right for You?2

What are my career goals? Master’s? PhD?Am I interested enough to stay with the topic for 2-4 years?Do I have the energy and commitment? Can I find the money to pay for school?Can I go without working full time to remain a student?What do I want my life to be like a few years after

completing the degree?http://www.gradschools.com/info/handbook/hbk1.html

Career Services at Penn State3

Career ExplorationJob Search Skills

Resume and application completion Interviewing

http://www.sa.psu.edu/career/

Finding the Right School for You4

What does the program/school have to offer?How specialized is the department?How is the program ranked? Is it accredited?What are the faculty interested in? What are the program course requirements? Do I have the necessary prerequisites? GPA? GRE?How long will it take to earn the degree?What percentage of graduates get jobs?

Finding the Right School for You5

What are my chances of being accepted?What are my chances of getting the job I want after I finish

the program?Tuition costs? Additional fees?What financial aid options exist? How much will it cost me to live there?Does the university have suitable graduate student

housing?

Typical Application6

Application formTranscripts (from all schools attended)Examination scores (GRE, MAT)Recommendations lettersPersonal StatementInterview

The Application Process7

Check on-line or contact program coordinators to request program information and an application.

Have official undergraduate transcripts mailed to programs, providing names, addresses, and appropriate fees to the Registrar's Office.

Organizing the Application Process8

Make a chart or list of the following: School and program name Relevant deadlines (application, GRE) Materials required Examinations required Application fees Interview process How application is to be submitted

Completing the Application9

The application is your first chance to make a good impression.

Make sure your application reflects your professional accomplishments (e.g., paid and volunteer work, transferable skills, internship).

Have people review your application, resume, and personal statement for writing style, grammar, spelling.

Make sure you don’t undersell your skills, abilities, and experiences.

Be clear about your career goals.

Recommendations: Who To Ask10

Ask for letters well before the due date. Ask in person if possible.

Ask people who are familiar with your work and scholastic abilities. Have at least one faculty reference.

Provide folks with a current resume; names and addresses of programs to which you are applying and a due date for the letter; and stamped, addressed envelopes.

Waive your rights to read the letter or form.

Personal Statement/Essay11

“Describes your abilities, attributes, and accomplishments …for pursuing a graduate education and, beyond that, a career in…[your area of focus]. This is your chance to stand out from all the other applicants.”

An important quality…is how well it communicates professional ambitions in personal terms. It outlines a career-development plan including previous experiences, current skills, and future goals.”

“Sell Yourself: Guidance for Developing Your Personal Statement for Graduate School Applications” by Brian Rybarczyk (1/6/06)

More on the Personal Statement12

If your GPA or GRE scores don’t reflect your potential, then clearly and concisely explain why (“bad” semester, changing majors, poor test taker)

Be positive, be honest, and be professionalTailor your statement to the program (e.g., mission, focus,

faculty interests). Adhere to page length guidelines. If no guidelines, write no

more than 3 pages of single-spaced text.Proofread, proofread, proofread.

More on the Personal Statement13

Have other people read your statement and consider their suggestions for improvement.

Faculty read many applications. Make yours stand out.If applying to multiple programs, each personal statement

should be customized for that particular institution and application. Make sure each statement has the right program name.

Make sure you address specific questions posed by each program.

What Not to Do in the Application*14

Don’t use slang.Don’t use abbreviations unless commonly known.Don’t make up experiences or write what you think the

review committee wants to hear.Don’t send in a first draft.Write it yourself; don't steal (or borrow) someone else's

words.Don’t say you want to help people, want to cure cancer, or

use other clichés. Express what you want to do in specific terms.

*Unknown source

Preparing for the GRE15

Three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing (two essay questions).

Quantitative and Verbal scores range from 200 to 800 (with 800 being the highest). Writing scores range from 0-6 (6 is the highest).

The average GRE score is 500 for Quantitative and Verbal, and 4 for Writing.

(Lisa Parmley, 2006, Beyond.com)

Myths About the GRE16

MYTH: The GRE is just a formality, scores don't matter.FACT: Emphasis placed on GRE scores varies but they are

part of the application. MYTH: The GRE tests complex math concepts.FACT: GRE math is hard because of how the concepts are

tested. Uses 7-8th grade concepts (no calculus or trig).MYTH: You can't really improve a verbal score.FACT: To improve your verbal score, improve your

vocabulary. Verbal section questions rely on you understanding the words in the question and answer choices.

Interview Tips17

You may have an individual or group interview, and you may meet with several faculty or students at once.

Dress professionally. Act professionally.Plan for costs required to go to an interview. Think of the interview as a chance to shine, to show who

you are and what you have to offer.You are interviewing the faculty while they are interviewing

you.Have several questions prepared for the faculty.Send thank you notes.

Once You Get the Acceptance Letter18

Celebrate.Evaluate which program is the best one for you.Respond in writing by the acceptance deadline.Programs will provide you with information about

orientation, classes, etc. sometime over the summer.Continue to explore financial aid options. Talk directly with

someone in financial aid.Look into housing, moving costs, etc.

Miscellaneous But Essential Info19

Be polite and respectful to administrative staff.Call the contact person if you have a question, but make

sure you can’t find the answer elsewhere first. Do your homework.

Get to know a few UG faculty well. Go to office hours, talk after class, get involved in research.

Do volunteer work in your area of interest.Remember that you are presenting yourself in every step of

the process. Be professional.Let references know what happened.