Strategies for Successful Application to Graduate School Elizabeth Yost Hammer, Ph.D. Loyola University New Orleans Carla J. Reyes, Ph.D. University of Utah

Three Keys to Grad School (APA, 1997) Preparation Application Know-How Patience

Application Basics GPA* GRE Scores* Letters of Recommendation* Personal Statement/Letter of Intent Curriculum Vita (CV) * “Big Three”

Secondary Criteria Keith-Spiegel & Wiederman (2000) Items rated “Very Important” –Research publication in journal –Applicant’s match to program –Research presentation at professional meeting –Interest of someone on the committee in working with applicant –Clarity and focus of personal statement

Secondary Criteria Keith-Spiegel & Wiederman (2000) Items rated “Generally Important” –Research assistant experience –Writing skills in statement of purpose –Status of letter writers –Strong mentor advocating for applicant –Knowledge and interest in specific program –Underrepresented ethnic minority membership –# of stats, research, and hard science courses –Status of faculty in major and undergrad institution –Honors or merit scholarships

Secondary Criteria Keith-Spiegel & Wiederman (2000) Items rated “Somewhat Important” –Area of major –Relevant volunteer experience –Personality style (in interview) –Relevant paid work experience –Neatness and professional look of application –Teaching assistant experience –Level of departmental activity

The Personal Statement Keith-Spiegel & Wiederman (2000) General interest areas Career plans Research experience Academic objectives Clinical/field experience Academic background and achievements Why did you choose this specific program Motivation Relevant personal information Specific graduate faculty of interest Special skills

The Personal Statement: Other Tips Be concrete, avoid vagueness and clichés Fit the statement to the specific program (One size does not fit all) Conform to the required specifications Have your faculty mentor read drafts Don’t… –Make spelling mistakes or grammatical errors –Use cute fonts or colored paper –Sound arrogant –Discuss irrelevant personal info –Discuss personal problems –Word things in the negative

Useful Resources for Writing Personal Statements How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School by Richard J. Stelzer –This is a book on the topic. state.htmlhttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/p_per state.html –This site includes a lot of specific and useful information on writing your statement of purpose

How to Get Strong Letters of Recommendation Ask faculty who know you –They are your advocates for admissions Provide them with adequate information –Transcript with classes taken highlighted –Titles and abstracts of your research projects –Honor societies or awards (CV) –Special skills, experiences –Description of goals (Statement of Purpose) –Description of program Meet with them about details in your CV

Requesting a Letter of Recommendation Can you write a strong letter? One month in advance Provide info Provide envelops Indicate due dates! Complete all additional forms and have them ready to be attached to their letter

Kisses of Death in a Letter of Recommendation (from Appleby) Inappropriate authors –No professors –Family members –Therapists –Self –From faculty who don’t know you –No letter from research supervisor Negative letters

Letters coming from outside the University All letters do not have to come from professors. –Job –Volunteer work Educate them on what is expected

Follow Up Programs you applied People who wrote your letters –Thank them –Let them know where you are going when you have made the final decision