Title of Presentation Here Subtitle Here Explore Build Connect CAREER SERVICES DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS UW STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER (425)

Overview  What is Graduate School?  Researching Programs  The Application Process  The Personal Statement  Letters of Recommendation  Admissions Interview  Scholarship and Funding Sources

What is Graduate School?  Graduate school  Advanced study in academic disciplines “Terminal” Master’s degrees Master’s degrees earned while working toward a doctoral degree Doctoral degrees  Professional school  Preparation for entering into professions Law Health-related professions Education Business

Why Graduate School?  Know why you’re going  Reasons, expectations, self assessment  Be clear about your motivations.  What are the costs and benefits?  Research career pathways and occupations  Education Pays Education Pays  Choosing a Program  Apply to more than one program  Identify dream schools & good possibilities  Talk to professors and mentors

Research Programs Identify programs of interest  GradSchools.com – Worldwide focused GradSchools.com  Petersons – US focused Petersons  Grad Source – US and Canada focused Grad Source  Princeton Review – test preparation and college admission resource Princeton Review Research graduate schools – beyond the websites.  Talk with professors, advisers, mentors, graduate students, friends and family.  Contact program admissions advisors to identify and speak with faculty in programs you are considering.  Visit campuses and gather feedback from current students.

Considerations & Priorities Create a worksheet with a list of qualities that you want in a graduate program and then prioritizeworksheet  Accreditation/Approved programs  Reputation (ranking, name value)  Potential advisors/Mentorship  Academic rigor - Research opportunities/interests  Cost of attendance (including tuition and living expenses)  Location in relation to family/friends/networks - Transportation  Field work and/or practical experience  Program schedule (day/evening classes) - Time commitment to earn the degree (most Master’s programs require 1 – 2 years)

Application Checklist  Deadlines - Timeline  GPA/ transcripts  Test scores (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.)  Personal statement  Recommendation letters  Writing samples or portfolio (for some programs)  Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)  Application forms  Interviews (for some programs)  Financial aid applications

Application Preparation  Junior year  Become familiar with admissions process/criteria  Research areas of interest & schools  Develop relationships with potential recommenders  Begin applying for fellowships & scholarships  Senior year- Allocate six months or more prior to your application deadlines.  Take admissions tests (if needed)  Obtain letters of recommendation  Personal statement - draft, review, revise, finalize  Send in completed financial aid applications & forms  Complete application - check with schools before deadlines to insure all materials submitted

Undergraduate Research  Research as an undergraduate can help you discover your hidden talents and interests.  Research projects can also lead to scholarships and awards.  Mary Gates $2000 per quarter  Summer up to $5000 for weeks  UW Bothell Undergraduate Award in the fall (due December 5 th ) for up to $750/quarter winter and spring  Research looks good on a resume or graduate school application.  Undergraduate Research Opportunities Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Steps to take  Talk to professors about their research  Sign up for an independent undergraduate research course  Check out the Research-In-Action a two-credit courseResearch-In-Action  Consider the senior thesis option in IAS. This is a project to work on for a quarter or multiple quarters  Attend Research in Progress seminars on topics of interest. They are held weekly in the library. Click here for the schedule.Click here for the schedule.  Consider taking a graduate course (IAS IPR)

Develop a Professional Portfolio The value of a well-rounded professional portfolio is in connecting experiences to academic and career opportunities Professional Portfolio  Description: Collection of documents and artifacts that demonstrate your content knowledge, skills and experience  Purpose: Marketing your skills and abilities for graduate school application and job search  A meaningful selection organized into sections, is a living document and is evidence based  Contain samples of your best work  Be sure to update and edit your web presence and social networking sites.

Components of Graduate School Portfolio Include examples of RESEARCH, LEADERSHIP, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, ACCOMPLISHMENTS From: Internships, Jobs, Coursework, Volunteering, Community Based Projects & Service, Student Involvement Showcase portfolio particularly for school or program  Research  Writing samples  Projects  Awards and certificates  Presentations, articles or professional association contributions  Letters of recommendation  Samples of work you contributed to

Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose A statement of purpose is designed to communicate five things: 1. Writing ability – grammar, punctuation, organization, creativity, expression, etc. 2. Connections between your past education / experiences and future goals. 3. Your philosophy of the field and why you are pursuing an opportunity in that area. 4. What makes you unique and how you can add to the diversity of the program. 5. How you can be an asset to the organization or the school, now and in the future

Compelling Personal Statement Good personal statements tell stories that demonstrate your strengths.  Know your strengths  Know your audience  Make a good case for a match  Tell a story that demonstrates your strengths with specific examples

Letters of Recommendation  Plan to have at least 3 strong letters - solicit from those who know you well and can speak to your ability to succeed  4 weeks MINIMUM to write a letter  Provide recommenders with supporting materials - List of specific, relevant experience: class projects, research, papers and grades for faculty; responsibilities and accomplishments for supervisors  Follow-up with recommenders prior to deadline  Be timely and responsive to additional information requests from your reference Keep in touch – let you recommender know the status of your application

Admissions Interview  Review application materials  Some are group interviews  Be able to relate several stories about how you took initiative, participated in leadership roles, and decided to study the field you are pursuing  Be prepared to answer “Why here?” and “What can you contribute to the program?”  Be open, honest and courteous  Send thank you notes

Types of Funding  Need-based  Merit-based  Merit scholarships and fellowships at the graduate level tend to focus on supporting underrepresented students and on academic, rather than professional, programs.  Targeted  Scholarships, fellowships, grants, and awards.  You have to inquire within each specific program you’re considering about available scholarships/ fellowships and assistantships.  Assistantships and other forms of employment.  Loans  Employer funded

Resources  Career Services Career Services  Graduate and Professional School resources Graduate and Professional School resources  Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards Merit Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards  Writing and Communication Center Writing and Communication Center  Undergraduate Research Undergraduate Research  UW Library resources - search “Grad School” UW Library resources  Online (check sites where applying)  Faculty Office Hours Questions?

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