ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN APPLYING FOR INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS Education USA Jakarta Adrian Rodgers, Ph.D. Executive Director, US-Indonesian Teacher Education Consortium The Ohio State University, USA usintec@osu.edu

Resource Google: USINTEC FACEBOOK www.usintec.org usintec@osu.edu

USINTEC As a tool for access US Indonesian Teacher Education Consortium - Member Organization - Facilitates two way access between countries - Helps identify financial supports - Puts a US University on ‘speed dial’ to support access - Makes suggestions to ‘open the door’ to travel to or gain admission to the ‘other’ - places helpful resources on its’ www site

Today we will: Consider a case for admission to my university program Discuss how what we can learn from this case applies to most programs and places you may apply

Application as a genre Literary Genres have qualities, characteristics, attributes – a shared set of expectations by author and reader Applications materials can be viewed as a genre, but different cultural expectations need to be understood, so that the writer can meet the genre expectations of the reader We can teach these expectations to support access, although there is limited incentive to do so

Challenges for graduate applicants Application Form and fee Focus of study: Linguistic Approaches in Indonesia verus multiple approaches in USA English Language Ability: ibt = 79 or ielts 7.0 at a minimum. For competitive programs ibt of 100. Graduate Records Exam (GRE) or GMAT/LSAT/MCAT Research Statement Reference Letters – ability to address applicant ability

English language ability Incomplete applications: Missing letters, letters not on letterhead, missing scores, Result: NOT READ Low Scores: Conditional Admissions Case of a 78 ibt versus a 79 ibt versus a 95 ibt for competitive programs

Focus of study Dual Degree with UNNES: UNNES Course List – “English Department” Linguistics Approach (Semantics, Syntax…) OSU Course List: “Literacy” 1. Reading & Literacy in Early/Middle Childhood 2. Language, Education & Society 3. Drama & Arts Literacy 4. Foreign & Second Language Ed 5. Childrens & Young Adult Literacy 6. Adolescent, Post Secondary & Community Literacy Limited Required Courses – Large Number of Electives

Research statement Indonesians: - Personal Narrative - Affirmation of interest in USA - Refers to their training which can sometimes be differently organized or outdated causing confusion - Do not show evidence that they have studied the organization of the program at the overseas university CONCLUSION: 1. Research programs and the people who teach in them. Review LPDP Funding list. 2. Select a program that ‘fits’ you – not your friend

Research statement At OSU Faculty (“audience”) are looking for: The PAST - What has the applicant done? - What theorists / authors inform the applicant’s understanding of literacy? The PRESENT - What does the applicant want to do (eg: pressing questions, who do they want to study?) - Who does the applicant want to study with? The FUTURE – what will be accomplished on return?

Reference letters Challenges in obtaining letters: - requesting the letter - completing the letter - finding faculty who ‘know’ the applicant - The part of the process outside the control of the applicant Problematic Indonesian Reference Letters - Too short - Too broad – not specific about the applicant - Sometimes about extracurricular activities

OSU expectation Faculty member who has had the applicant in class for 2 courses Letter speaks specifically to work of the applicant: - A paper written by the applicant - Quality of the academic work, such as analysis, theoretical understanding, or mastery of material - Contributions in class – group leadership, synthesis - Predictions about the likelihood of success in a graduate program - Personal attributes can be addressed – briefly

Understanding expectations By understanding the cultural or genre expectations regarding application materials of the overseas university access can grow.

ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN APPLYING FOR INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE EDUCATION PROGRAMS Adrian Rodgers, PhD Associate Professor, The Ohio State University Executive Director, US-Indonesian Teacher Education Consortium usintec@osu.edu Rodgers.50@osu.edu