APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOL + TAKING YOUR GRE SIXY SUMMER SEMINAR SERIES

APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOL Transcripts GRE Exam Letters of Recommendation Admissions Essay Interview

TRANSCRIPTS Provides information about your academic background Your school registrar will send your official transcripts This process may take up to a few weeks to complete so plan ahead

GRE Graduate Records Exam GMAT for Business School Applications Some programs require the GRE Subject Test Exam Contents:  Verbal  Quantitative  Analytical  Experiments

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Letters of Recommendation help the committee think of you as a person rather than by GPA or test scores The quality of your letters rests on the quality of your relationships with your professors Letters from employers are acceptable if they include information on your duties and aptitude relating to your field of study Do not include letters from friends, spiritual leaders, or public officials

ADMISSIONS ESSAY Be creative and informative Introduce yourself and explain why you want to attend graduate school and why each program is a perfect match for your skills Explain your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments Focus on how your educational and occupational experiences led you to this program Describe how grad school will benefit you and relate it to your future goals

INTERVIEW Some programs require interviews as a way to get a look at their finalists Interviews are your opportunity to see how well you fit into the program

TOP 5 BEST ENGINEERING GRAD SCHOOLS 1) Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2) Stanford University 3) UC Berkeley 4) California Institute of Technology 5) Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and University of Illinois – Urbana- Champaign US News

TOP 5 BEST BUSINESS GRAD SCHOOLS 1)Harvard and Stanford 3) University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School 4) Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business Management US News

GRAD SCHOOL APPLICATION TIMELINE May : Begin researching potential schools June: Take practice GRE exam July: Request information from schools that interest you August: Take the GRE general test September: Register for the November GRE subject test if needed October: Request official transcripts and letters of recommendation

GRAD SCHOOL APPLICATION TIMELINE November: Have your personal statement revised and take GRE subject test December: Complete and submit all applications January: fill out FAFSA and look into loans, grants, and scholarships February and March: Relax April: Celebrate acceptances

QUESTIONS Marissa Thomas Academic Excellence Chair, Region 6