Leslie D. Cramblet Alvarez Krista Bridgmon Courtney Allen From Anticipation to Application to Acceptance: Navigating the Three Stages of Grad School Grief Leslie D. Cramblet Alvarez Krista Bridgmon Courtney Allen

This session Introduction to the “Three Stages” Anticipation Application Acceptance Break outs & guided discussion based on your stage Wrapping up as a group

Anticipation Timing Early in undergraduate career (First-year, sophomore) Recently decided plans to go to grad school Issues What do I need to do to be a good candidate? What are graduate schools looking for?

Anticipation Research Experience Being a good candidate for research collaboration

Anticipation Letters of Recommendation It’s not too soon to think about! You are already forming an impression

Anticipation What else should I be thinking about?

Application: You know where you want to go…now what? Creating a convincing narrative Personal statement Sharing experiences that speak to your strengths Proving your potential Preparing for strong letters of recommendation: thinking this through How do I know this person? How long have I known this person? Can you write me a strong letter of recommendation? Matching your personality, activities, and experiences with what admission committees are looking for

Application: Key areas 1. Motivated and hard-working 2. High intellectual/scholarly ability 3. Research skills 4. Emotionally stable and mature 5. Writing skills 6. Speaking skills 7. Teaching skills/potential 8. Works well with others 9. Creative and original 10. Strong knowledge of area of study 11. Strong character or integrity 12. Special skills

Application: Creating a solid application packet Have a plan! Write a personal statement that speaks to what reviewers are look for! Create packets to give faculty writing LORs Timeline CV Personal Statement List of traits and behaviors to support your narrative Stamped and addressed envelopes Letter Write a Thank You Letter!

Application: Preparing for the Interview Know the program and faculty of the schools you are applying Contact the schools and ask about speaking with students Ask yourself key questions: Why is this a good fit for me? What can help me stay calm? Look professional! Attire Keep a notepad and pen handy Keep a copy of your CV, Personal Statement, & list of what the program is looking for in a nice binder Show up: Be present and authentic! Send a Thank You Letter!

I didn’t get in! Think your thoughts, feel your feelings! Regroup and schedule meetings. This is round 1, you have a lot more fight left in you. What can you bring to the table, no one else can. Watch me!

The Final Decision… You have now been accepted to graduate school The Final Decision… You have now been accepted to graduate school! Now what? Stay the course! Be realistic! Play well with others! Be coachable! Remember your mentors! Seek and receive feedback! It’s a marathon, not a sprint! Sleigh, M. and Ritzer, D. (2015). I got into graduate school! Now what? Eye of Psi Chi, Spring.

Find out what works… do more of it! You have experienced academic success as an undergraduate. So, what worked? Take a moment to reflect on the successful academic strategies you already use. What do you need to add?

Mentors (keep them, use them, love them) Experts love to talk… Be a sponge! For the price of a tuition ticket, you have experts willing to tell you everything they know about everything. LISTEN! Create relationships with as many faculty members as possible! We all have strengths. Find out what they are and learn from the best! Faculty members all have unique personalities. Let’s call them quirks!  This allows us the opportunity to play well with others.

Resources