Applying to Graduate School Pertinent Questions Why am

Applying to Graduate School Pertinent Questions

Why am I considering going to graduate school? • • Expectations of family, faculty, etc. Don’t know what else to do. Not sure what I want to do. Be occupied before reapplying to professional school. • These are NOT GOOD REASONS!

What do I want to be? • Imagine yourself 10 years from now. • Will that career require a graduate degree? – If so, a Master’s or Ph. D?

What if I don’t know which career is for me? • Career services – 150 Careers in the Health Care Field • Occupational Outlook Handbook HF 5381. U 62 1998 -1999 + other Career Guides (HF 5381 in Library) • Other Websites listed on last slide • Imagine! • The 8+8+8 Hour Day for Pay Strategy

How can I be sure if a career is right for me? • You can’t ever be certain, but you can be well informed. • Go with your gut feeling.

What is the purpose of Graduate School? • • • Prepare you for your chosen career Master techniques, develop independence Develop research skills Build credentials Graduate School is NOT a purgatory for pre -professional schools! • Graduate School admissions requirements are NOT trivial.

Masters or Ph. D. Which is for me? • Depends on career plans and job market • What is the difference? • Masters – 2 -3 years, pay your own way – more coursework, less research • Ph. D. – 4 -6+ years, includes financial support (stipend) – 1 -2 years coursework, 2+ years fulltime research

How do I decide where to apply? • Ask your professors for recommendations • Look at Websites • Check Peterson’s Graduate Programs in the Biological Sciences (copy in Dept. Office) • Search for faculty who are doing interesting research – Keyword searching – Get abstracts or papers

What are the admissions requirements? • GPA varies by program • Research experience highly desirable – Letter from research supervisor • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) – – General Test: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Computer-based General: 1 st 3 wks each month ($99) Subject Test: 1 of 14 areas (Biology is one) Paper based Subject test: ($130) Nov, Dec, & April • Apply online (www. gre. com)

How can I find out about a particular graduate program? • Peterson’s “Guide” will provide – – – – – Description of the program List of facilities Financial aid. . . Stipends!!! Out of State Policy Cost of study Housing Applying (Requirements, deadlines) List of faculty & their research interests Contact person

How do I contact a program? • Write, e-mail, or call Graduate Director of the program listed in Peterson’s Guide • Check Website • Ask for information on their program

What should I look for in a graduate program? • • # 4 Expectations for teaching/work study # 3 Time to complete degree # 2 Reputation # 1 Several faculty who are doing interesting. . . . research

How can I increase my chances of being accepted? • Get abstracts and papers from faculty doing interesting research • Read those abstracts and papers • Call or write the Graduate Director for application, mentioning the names of their faculty • Call or write the faculty person(s) and inform them of your interest. (This is flattering. ) • Ask to come for a visit

What happens on a visit to a graduate school? • Meet with – Graduate Advisor – Members of Admissions Committee – Prospective Thesis Advisors – Current graduate students • Tour the – department – facilities – environs

What will they ask me during my visit? • • • What research experience do you have? What topics interest you? How much do you already know? Why are you interested in their program? What are your career goals?

What should I look for on my visit? • • Modern facilities Enthusiasm of faculty and students How long to complete the degree Teaching/Work study opportunities/requirements • Attitude of graduate students • How hard people are working • Attitude of faculty toward students

What should I ask? • Degree requirements – Examinations – Timetables – Course requirements – Teaching/ work study expectations • Basis of admissions decisions • Questions about the projects you see

What are they looking for in me? • • • Interest & Enthusiasm Evidence of preparation Reaction to criticism Work ethic Determination & Dedication Awareness of what you’re getting into

How should I follow-up my visit? • Letter of thanks to – Admissions Director – others • Grad students who you visited or hosted you • Prospective advisors

What happens to my application? • Examined by Admissions Committee • You are discussed and voted on • Your prospective advisor(s) can put in a good word

What is life like as a first year Ph. D. graduate student? • 1 st year coursework, many seminars • Rotate through several labs of your choosing • By end of first year, select thesis advisor • Forget carefree summers • Comprehensive exams on course work • Select thesis project in consultation with advisor

What is life like as a 2 nd year graduate student? • • • Begin fulltime research on your project Become a specialist on the literature Master techniques Report your progress Select thesis committee of 3 -5 scientists Specialty exam (oral and/or written)

How long does it take to complete the degree? • Depends on – how hard you work – how difficult a project you attempt – how much support you get from • advisor • technicians – how much is expected by your • advisor • Thesis/dissertation committee

What is the most important decision I’ll make? • Choosing an advisor • Your advisor will – give you advice – establish how much must be accomplished to earn a degree – determine how fast you move along by how much assistance they give you – be a part of your scientific pedigree – influence what happens once you finish

What do I consider when choosing an advisor? • How much s/he expects of students – time in the lab – contribution to the work of the lab – teaching • Track record for grants • Fate of previous graduate students • Interpersonal skills – helpfulness (sink or swim vs. mentor) – patience – individual attention • Other Commitments (teaching, people in lab, etc. )

What is the cost of graduate school? • Doesn’t matter for Ph. D! Tuition and fees are often waived, even for out of state students. • Most Ph. D. programs support you for the first year with a stipend of $15 -20 K • After 1 st year, most programs expect your stipend to be paid from your advisor’s grant. • Since your advisor is spending money on you, they have a right to expect you to be productive!

If they’re paying me to get a degree, what do they expect in return? • Productive research • Publications • Commitment to science – Some funding may restrict choices (ROTC Style) • Intent to continue in industry or research or academics • Enhance their reputation

What should I be doing and when? (for Seniors) • October – Consider career plans – Prepare a list of programs to investigate – Schedule GRE • November – Request information & applications – Check out faculty research • December – Schedule a visit

The Time Line for Seniors (continued) • Jan-Feb – Applications deadline – Follow-up correspondences – Invitations for interviews • Mar-May – Admissions decisions are made – Notification of your acceptance/rejection

What should I be doing now? (I’m a NOT a Senior. ) • • • Investigate summer research opportunities! Arrange to get research experience!!! Look at admissions requirements. Prepare for GRE Be a serious student

Useful Websites • http: //www. furman. edu/~snyder/careers/car eers. html (specifically for Bio majors) • http: //stats. bls. gov: 80/ocohome. htm (Occupational Outlook Handbook) • GRE http: //www. gre. org • Peterson’s Guides http: //petersons. com • http: //gradschools. com