1. 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

2. Resource
Google:
USINTEC FACEBOOK

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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Narrative - Affirmation of interest in USA - Refers to their training which can sometimes be differently organized or outdated causing confusion - Do not show evidence that they have studied the organization of the program at the overseas university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 Select a program that ‘fits’ you – not your friend

10. 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?

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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