1. TIPS TIME INVESTED IN PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS Dr. Vida A. Mays Assessment and Planning

2. RESUME vs. CURRICULUM VITAE A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience and education-brief and concise  A curriculum vitae is longer (at least two pages) and more detailed synopsis. ◦ A curriculum vitae includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations and other details; ◦ Primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific or research positions. It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants.

3.  FIND THE RIGHT TEMPLATE OR FORMAT  DEVELOP YOUR OBJECTIVE STATEMENT  DEVELOP A DRAFT OF YOUR RESUME  PROOF READ IT

4.  Be prepared to list your education, previous work experience, and any honors and awards you’ve received.  Be sure to include your current personal contact information as well. Give your address, phone number, and email address  Only display a professional email address: first initial, last name @____;  Whether you are creating a resume or CV from scratch, using a template, or plugging your information into a resume/CV builder, you need to double check all the information! A spelling error or typo on your resume could be the deal breaker.  If you can, have someone else look over your resume/CV. It never hurts to have another set of eyes looking for errors.

5.  Always include a cover letter and address all of the required areas in the qualifications section: ◦ For example, review admissions requirements and the degree requirements of the program for which you applying  Most programs require acceptable scores on specific Graduate Entrance or Professional School Entrance Exams before admission.  You may be required to submit a personal essay, proof of prerequisite courses, resume, etc. Some programs require supplemental applications.  You may be required to submit a personal essay, proof of prerequisite courses, resume, etc. Some programs require supplemental applications.

6.  The best statement of purpose you can write will be in your unique voice as a writer. Don’t try to be someone you’re not.  When talking about your past in a personal statement, you want to focus on those events that have led you to this point in your academic and professional career.  You want to leave your readers with a clear understanding that you’re not just seeking this degree because it seems kind of interesting or because you can’t think of anything else to do; they should sincerely believe that you have a plan in mind and that graduate school figures into that plan.

7.  GRE: Graduate Record Examination http://www.exam2jobs.com/gre-test.html  GMAT: Graduate Management Admissions Tests http://www.exam2jobs.com/gmattest.htmlhttp://www.exam2jobs.com/gmattest.html  MAT: Miller Analogies Test http://www.exam2jobs.com/mat-test.html http://www.exam2jobs.com/mat-test.html  LSAT: Law School Admissions Test http://www.exam2jobs.com/lsat-test.htmlhttp://www.exam2jobs.com/lsat-test.html  MCAT: Medical College Admissions Test http://www.exam2jobs.com/mcattest.htmlhttp://www.exam2jobs.com/mcattest.html  Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT): http://www.exam2jobs.com/pcat-test.htmlhttp://www.exam2jobs.com/pcat-test.html  DAT: Dental Admissions Tests http://www.exam2jobs.com/dat-test.htmlhttp://www.exam2jobs.com/dat-test.html