Getting into Graduate School Getting into Graduate School Judith A. Sugar, Ph.D. School of Public School

TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT: Choose a graduate program that you think you would like to apply to.

Choosing a Graduate Program How did you go about choosing a program? What did you come up with? How did you go about choosing a program? What did you come up with?

Sources for Programs Start with the universe of possibles: 1.internet sources: your professors 3.professionals already in the field 4.authors in published literature Start with the universe of possibles: 1.internet sources: your professors 3.professionals already in the field 4.authors in published literature

Choosing Where to Apply Funnel: start with all possibilities, then do research to select final 12. Of the 12, make some of them “reach” schools, some “likely” schools, and a few “very likely.” Funnel: start with all possibilities, then do research to select final 12. Of the 12, make some of them “reach” schools, some “likely” schools, and a few “very likely.”

Do your homework! 2 very important aspects: the faculty and the program personal preferences, e.g., geographical location, big city vs small town 2 very important aspects: the faculty and the program personal preferences, e.g., geographical location, big city vs small town

Questions to Ask & Research Faculty & their interests? Apprenticeship program? Length of program? What is the curriculum? Standards for admission? Costs of program? Financial support? Faculty & their interests? Apprenticeship program? Length of program? What is the curriculum? Standards for admission? Costs of program? Financial support?

Who are the faculty? How do their interests match yours? Note that graduate programs are more specialized than undergraduate programs.

Type of Program: “Apprenticeship” or Not? If “apprenticeship,”: faculty member must see a “match” with you does faculty member plan to take a new student? interested faculty member should not be going on sabbatical, retiring, etc. check that faculty member has maintained your common interests If “apprenticeship,”: faculty member must see a “match” with you does faculty member plan to take a new student? interested faculty member should not be going on sabbatical, retiring, etc. check that faculty member has maintained your common interests Who decides on applicant’s admission?

What is “the time to graduation”? What does the curriculum require? What they say versus reality: check with past or current students What they say versus reality: check with past or current students

What are the standards for admission to the program? minimum GPA minimum GRE completion of specific courses field or internship experience other? minimum GPA minimum GRE completion of specific courses field or internship experience other?

What are the costs for the program? tuition fees health insurance etc. tuition fees health insurance etc.

What kinds of financial support are available? GAs, TAs, RAs stipend, and what else? (tuition & fee waivers, health insurance, etc.) high stipend ($16,000) may be offset by high tuition & fees ($9,000) how many years of support? GAs, TAs, RAs stipend, and what else? (tuition & fee waivers, health insurance, etc.) high stipend ($16,000) may be offset by high tuition & fees ($9,000) how many years of support?

Aspects of the Application grades (transcripts) test scores (e.g., GREs) cover letter/statement of intent statement of interest actual application form(s) letters of reference grades (transcripts) test scores (e.g., GREs) cover letter/statement of intent statement of interest actual application form(s) letters of reference

What is the application process? 1.What are you required to submit? 2.To whom do you send your application? a.university’s Graduate School b.individual graduate program you’re interested in 3.What are the deadlines? 1.What are you required to submit? 2.To whom do you send your application? a.university’s Graduate School b.individual graduate program you’re interested in 3.What are the deadlines?

What is the application process? 4.Cover letter, statement of interest, & CV: each packet should be tailored to the program that you’re applying to. 5.Getting your letters of reference. 4.Cover letter, statement of interest, & CV: each packet should be tailored to the program that you’re applying to. 5.Getting your letters of reference.

Make a timeline for yourself.

Letters of Reference 1.request the minimum number of letters (they are averaged) 2.decide on your referees 3.provide referees with specific information about each program & the deadlines. 1.request the minimum number of letters (they are averaged) 2.decide on your referees 3.provide referees with specific information about each program & the deadlines.

Letters of Reference DueSchoolProgramAddressComment 1.1/15UNLVDentistryDr. Sugar, Dental School UNLV, Las Vegas, NV … 2.1/21… … 12. DueSchoolProgramAddressComment 1.1/15UNLVDentistryDr. Sugar, Dental School UNLV, Las Vegas, NV … 2.1/21… … 12.

Letters of Reference 4.provide a copy of your application materials to referees. 5.give referees address labels, possibly stamps & envelopes too. 4.provide a copy of your application materials to referees. 5.give referees address labels, possibly stamps & envelopes too.

Summary  Do your homework.  Give yourself enough time.  Seek (good) advice at all points of the process.  Do your homework.  Give yourself enough time.  Seek (good) advice at all points of the process.