applying to graduate school (2)
TRANSCRIPT
Applying to Graduate SchoolAlyssa MeyerVisiting Research Fellow, TSPCAmerican University of Central Asia
What Will We Talk About Today?
How do you chose a graduate program? How do you draft and structure your
application essays? How do acquire strong letters of
recommendation?
Choosing Which Graduate Programs To Apply To
Do internships, interact with people more advanced in your field, read the bios of the people working in your dream job… What skills do they have that you don’t? What kind of programs could you gain them from?
Keep in mind: You are applying to a specific graduate program, not the university
What prospects for funding would you have if you were accepted?
Things to Remember
Different programs will have different deadlines and requirements
The admissions office of the program exists to help you—use them! Sometimes they will even connect you with
current students who can tell you more about studying there
Components of Most Applications
Application form with academic and work history
Statement of purpose Full CV Standardized tests Letters of recommendation Perhaps a writing sample (a previous essay, a
short prompted piece)
Tips for Letters of Recommendation Often the scariest part of any application because its
out of your control! How to choose a referee
Think about what aspects of your academic history need to be emphasized by these letters: Who can write a letter that would achieve this for you?
You should have at least one letter writer from your field How to ask for a reference
Keep in mind that if you don’t give the letter writer enough time or information to write, it will negatively impact your application!
Ask 4-6 weeks in advance of the deadline Offer to send your letter writers your essays and resume Send reminders respectfully: It’s okay to check, but don’t be a
nuisance Don’t forget to thank them!
Approaching Your Statement of Purpose
What is unique about this program? What in your academic background makes you a
good fit for the program? How can this program help you achieve your
academic and professional goals?
Tips for Writing Your Statement of Purpose Start a draft with any thoughts in your head—You
can only edit when you have something on the paper to look at
If you don’t like it, don’t erase it. Save it and open a new document. You never know when you might want your original thoughts.
Start early so that you have time to put your essay down and think about it.
Show it to other people. The more people who look at it and the more advice you get, the better. Even critical advice is just fine, as long as you receive it before you submit!
Example Structure
How I got interested in my field How my courses/internships/experience has
prepared me for a graduate program in this field
How this graduate program can help me to learn important skills for my field
How the graduate program can provide a stepping stone into my dream job
Example EssayJohns Hopkins School of Advanced
International StudiesMA in International Development
How I Became Interested in My Field
“….an early love for philosophy and concern for dignified treatment sparked my interest in Central Asia and in comparative governance as a whole. Most basically, I am interested in increasing the population’s ability to live in a dignified manner—especially in the effect that governance and public sector management has upon popular living conditions.”
Development of Qualifications
Because political transparency and accountability have always seemed to me to be key in understanding popular needs, much of my initial work on Central Asia materialized within the context of international transparency ratings, examining leaders’ strategies for maintaining non-democratic legitimacy, and measuring the strength of civil society and opposition parties. What I’ve begun to see this year, however, is that to compare these regimes to democratic norms doesn’t exactly provide the conditions for a neutral discussion of politics.
Development of Qualifications It seems to me now that the more engaging question
is how capable a given regime is at responding to the needs of its population. In this context, even those staunchly opposed to the idea of democratic government have something to say—most frequently on the importance of having a strong executive who can act decisively to solve a crisis. Even I have to admit that perhaps they are right (democracy doesn’t guarantee quick or decisive action), but on the other side of the coin, authoritarianism doesn’t guarantee that leaders fully understand the concerns of their population. In short, the question of what kind of government is best equipped to bring about increases in human development levels is one that I hope to explore during my time at SAIS.
Career Goals “In recent months, it has become increasingly
evident to me that I hold two overarching professional goals: to improve human development levels on the ground in Central Asia and to improve U.S.-Central Asian relations. …at times these goals can prove to be conflicting (some strategies to encourage political reform will negatively impact relations); yet, I still believe that the U.S. Foreign Service would provide a unique platform from which to pursue both ambitions. Though it’s not implausible that I could happily pursue the former aim from the ground, working more directly with local development organizations and communities, my time spent at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace organizing and taking notes of roundtables has shown me that I genuinely enjoy policy dialogues.”
Achieving Long-Term Goals It is my belief the SAIS MA in International Development is
uniquely capable of helping me build upon these experiences to achieve my ambitions; this is because each of the skillsets I perceive to be important pre-requisites are also highly prioritized within the program. The first is quantitative analysis; my Fulbright research (which uses cost-benefit models to examine the viability of using alternative sources to meet Kyrgyzstan’s energy needs) has renewed my belief in its importance and marketability in social science. Second is advanced language training; achieving Russian fluency is not only important to me personally, but would greatly increase my competitiveness in international job markets. Closely tied to my language goals are those of furthering my regional expertise—something SAIS has a long history of. Fourth and finally, are the diplomatic skills necessary to prepare myself for the Foreign Service selection process and launch my career. Yet, equally as important to me as curriculum, is academic community. Over the past year, I’ve been repeatedly struck by the willingness of both current SAIS students and professors to reach out to applicants and newly-admitted students; it seems to me to speak volumes of the immense pride and intricate support system which exists within the school. Admittedly, it is the combination of a rigorous academics and community which is exactly what I am seeking in a graduate program.
