Fei Wang

Applying to Graduate School.Applying to Graduate School.

OverviewOverview► Research different schools and programs► Check out potential mentors/research areas► Obtain application and catalogue► Pay close attention to deadlines! (most programs have Dec or Jan deadlines)► Prepare for and write the GRE early► Request letters of recommendation early► Write a personal statement/essay► Submit everything well before deadlines► Keep track of your application

www.aamc.orgwww.gradschools.comwww.petersons.comwww.usnews.comhttp://recruit.sciencemag.orghttp://www.princetonreview.com

Talk to faculty, post-docs and graduate students here at UIUC!

Information about graduate Information about graduate programsprograms

How to choose a programHow to choose a programAcademic Considerations► Is this a high quality program/Is it well

recognized?► Are you comfortable with the program’s

structure and organization?► Are there sufficient faculty choices?► Is there flexibility within the program to

change directions?► Are there adequate university support

systems (library, computer facilities, specialized

equipment, etc.)?

Financial Considerations-Can you afford it? (Determine total costs, including housing, food)- Availability and types of financial aid (Fellowships, research assistantships, teaching

assistantships, etc.)-Some Universities offer Graduate Fellowships to the top applicants and underrepresented students

Other Considerations- Geographic location of the school- Campus environment-Appropriate support systems (advisors, tutoring-services, etc.)- Diversity of students- Past record on placement of graduates

Other program considerationsOther program considerations

How to Convey Your How to Convey Your Credentials?Credentials?

►Application Package Grades/Scores Statement/essay Letters of recommendation

►Visit and Interview Show enthusiasm for science and research Show that you understood your research Show your enthusiasm for their program

•Take a broad spectrum of introductory science courses (A particular area of focus in not important)

•Key subjects include: statistics, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, organic chemistry and molecular biology.

•A facility in math and/or chemistry is helpful.

•Work to improve your speaking and writing skills (liberal arts classes can help here)

Undergraduate CoursesUndergraduate Courses

Filling out the ApplicationFilling out the Application•Follow the directions carefully•Include Scientific Conferences/Presentations•Include authorships, acknowledgements•Include all awards and fellowships•Include special skills and experiences (study abroad, foreign languages)•Indicate if you are an underrepresented student

•Make a copy of your application•Keep track of your application

Shows your interest in researchWill help you decide if you really want a research career!

•Can obtain research experience either during school term or summer.•MCB 290-Mechanism for getting research experience http://www.mcb.uiuc.edu/undergrad/research.html•PURE in MCB/IB (Promoting Undergraduate Research Experiences)-undergrads are linked with graduate student or postdoc mentors. Website:  https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ro/www/PromotingUndergraduateReasearchExperienceinMolecularCellularBiologyandIntegrativeBiology/email:PURE.bio.illinois@gmail.com •MCB advising office has information on summer research programs.•A good alternative is non-MCB labs (Vet Med. SIB, etc.- you can get MCB credit for some of these)•Consider summer jobs in industrial labs

Get Experience In a Research LabGet Experience In a Research Lab

GradesGrades► Official transcripts are requested for every

institution you attended► Record your grades accurately on your

application► Balance your activities to promote GPA► Best to keep your GPA above 3.0

It helps if grades show improvement over time Grades are more important in your upper division

major courses

► Poor grades can be overcome if… Great GRE scores Great letters Publications or other credentials Great Statement and Interview

GRE Test Scores GRE Test Scores (www.ets.org/gre)(www.ets.org/gre)► Required by all schools

Importance depends upon the school Schools may also want subject test scores May be important for certain fellowships

► Take GRE Prep course and practice tests► Take test no later than early Fall► If scores are low, study and retake (allow time)► Try to get at least 1000 (1200 is better)► Medians for acceptance to U of I-MCB in 2008

were: GPA 3.61, VGRE 560, QGRE710, WGRE4.5

Letters from FacultyLetters from Faculty► Required at all levels of science► Request letters from faculty who know you► Determine if they will write a positive

recommendation► Prioritize:

Research mentors Other researchers with whom you’ve worked Program Director Course Instructors-smaller upper level courses

are better TAs and fellow students hold little weight Ensure letters are not providing redundant

information

Requesting LettersRequesting Letters

►Ask early►Provide personal statement, CV►Set appt. to talk to your letter

writer►Provide schedule of deadlines►Provide

envelopes/stamps/addresses►Gently remind as needed (they will

procrastinate)

The statement/essayThe statement/essay► Is an important part of the “Package” ► Common themes are:

Personal statement Statement of purpose Personal essay Statement of background and goals Expression of your qualities as an applicant

► Should answer the application question► Should represent who you are► Should relate to their program

Main message of the Main message of the statement/essaystatement/essay

► Convey “your” story What do you want to do?

►Career objectives and final goals►Research fields of interest►Other interests or activities

► Why are YOU particularly suited for graduate school? Why do you want to be a scientist? What is your motivation for a PhD and

research career? What are your particular research goals? What are your strengths? What has made you resolved/strong?

Documenting your Documenting your accomplishmentsaccomplishments

► What have you done toward reaching your goal? Undergraduate experiences Research projects

►Sound like scientist, not just a pair of hands►What is the significance of your research?►What question were you attempting to answer?►How were you attempting to answer the question?►What did you find? What conclusions can you make?►What did you like about the work you did?

► Have you overcome unusual circumstances?(Do they explain poor grades or other inconsistencies?)

► Why do you want to go to their school/program?

Balancing the Balancing the statement/essay.statement/essay.

► Balance academic and personal information but accentuate research experience!

► Show that you’ve taken a thorough, analytical and self-reflective look at yourself and your goals

► Create an interesting, non-generic essay that sets you apart as an individual…(but not in an scary way!)

► Make the essay relevant to your field of study► Balance what you’ve done and what you want to

do► Be realistic (avoid clichés and Nobel references)► Don’t appear overly pompous or arrogant► Make your essay fit their program. ► List faculty members you might be interested in

meeting/working with.

Statement/Essay TipsStatement/Essay Tips► Make goals sound reasonable and attainable► Continuously ask, “Is this essay relevant,

interesting, different, memorable?”► Convey your excitement► Document strengths with facts- specific

information/examples

► Don’t dwell on High School experiences► Avoid controversial topics (religion, politics,

anything weird)► Avoid gimmicks► Don’t be boring

Finishing the Finishing the Statement/EssayStatement/Essay

Tie everything together at the end Reaffirm your desire to be in their program Make sure it answers the original application

question Adhere to the length requirements Make sure the statement/essay is:

Well organizedRelevantConciseGrammatically correctProper spelling

Have others proofread your statement and get their feedback about content and readability.

Visiting Departments and Visiting Departments and ProgramsPrograms

•Do some research on the program•Look up possible thesis labs and learn about their research (can request to visit specific ones)•Make eye contact, smile, look alert, avoid slang•Bring questions to help yourself and to convey your interest to the interviewer•Reread your application just before your visit but avoid making prepared speeches•Appear confident and be positive•NETWORK-wear your name tag and talk to people!•Ask students their opinions, are they happy?•Are the labs funded?•How are students supported?

A graduate program is looking for someone A graduate program is looking for someone who:who:

► Will successfully complete the program Has background required for success Has motivation required for success

► Will assist in school’s research efforts► Will impact “energy” of school► May make great breakthroughs for them► Will be a good representative for their program

immediately and well into the future► Will increase the program’s diversity► Ultimately:

Will be a good financial investment Will be a good time investment

Try to convey these positive qualities in your application and interview.

Additional information on applying Additional information on applying to graduate schoolto graduate school

www.theleadershipalliance.orgwww.graduateguide.comwww.phds.orgwww.AmericanGraduateEducation.

comwww.collegeconfidential.com