Applying for Ph D Programs Information Session Yale

Applying for Ph. D. Programs Information Session Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies October 9, 2012

PRESENTERS: l l l Peter Otis, Director Of Career Development Elisabeth Barsa, F&ES Doctoral Program Coordinator Dr. Dave Skelly, Professor of Ecology; Associate Dean for Research; Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Director of Doctoral Studies David Butman, MESc 2006, Ph. D 2012; Postdoctoral Associate at U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) & Yale University Gabriel Grant, Ph. D expected 2013, Industrial Environmental Management- Leadership and Sustainability Ashley Keiser, Ph. D expected 2013, Ecosystem Ecology

WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU EVEN START APPLYING TO SCHOOLS? You should be able to state what you want to do AND the specifics of how a Doctoral Degree is going to advance your career and life.

IS APPLYING TO A DOCTORAL PROGRAM THE BEST MOVE FOR YOU? l l Do you the love the field enough to get a Ph. D. ? Is a Ph. D. required to enter a particular profession or obtain a certain employment level within the field? Are you burned out academically? Are you fired up to study? Are you postponing some tough decisions by simply entering a doctoral program?

HOW TO EVALUATE DOCTORAL PROGRAMS? l l l l l Funding issues / financial support structure Cross disciplined vs. focused programs Ability to choose own project vs. working on assigned advisor projects Culture and work environment Faculty reputation & strength of department, school or university Facilities/ resources/ libraries – size, location Academic pre-requisites Program’s history and future Students’ opinions Career activities of program graduates

WHAT ARE THE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS ? THESE CAN VARY FROM PROGRAM TO PROGRAM l l l l l Identification and contact with faculty members that you would like to work with if accepted General application and a fee Test scores – GRE GPA TOEFL Exam – if from outside the United States Transcripts with prerequisite courses Curriculum Vitae Statement of Research Letters of Recommendation: references that can comment on your research abilities/potential

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER l l l How important is it that I have already published articles before applying? The personal statement- its importance relative to other application materials, and how to write a strong one. What is the role of my F&ES advisor in my application? How do I approach a professor with whom I would like to work? Are there issues relevant for U. S. students of color or international students- both as a student and in fields that one might be entering afterwards?

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED RESOURCES Jennie Miller’s incredibly complete and helpful web sitehttp: //www. jenniemiller. com/tips-onapplying-to-gradprograms. html

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED RESOURCES 1. Some Modest Advice for Graduate Students - Motivation from Dr. Sterns at Yale EEB to take with a grain of salt Reply to Sterns: Some Acynical Advice for Graduate Students - More (positive) motivation from Dr. Huey The Graduate School Essay I Wish I Had Written - A sample application essay by Dr. Thomson at the Claremont Colleges Professor Singer's Advice to Prospective Students - General tips from a professor at the University of Texas. On Graduate Studies in the Biological Sciences - An overview of the process for biology programs in general. Sell Yourself: Guidance for Developing Your Personal Statement for Graduate School Applications - Tricks on writing your application essays and representing yourself well 2. Dave Keiser (david. keiser@yale. edu) – informal mentoring for Ph. D and masters students

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To see a copy of this presentation: http: //environment. yale. edu/careers/workshops/

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Otis and Kathy Douglas, Career Development Office Kroon- Rooms 105 and 107 peter. otis@yale. edu; 203. 432. 8920 kathryn. douglas@yale. edu; 203. 436. 4830 Elisabeth Barsa Doctoral Program Coordinator Sage Hall Rm. 7 elisabeth. barsa@yale. edu; 203. 432. 5146 Dr. Dave Skelly Director of Doctoral Studies Kroon Hall Rm. 208 david. skelly@yale. edu