1. How to Go to Graduate School
Biology Department
Saint Louis University
Dr. Downes & Dr. Nordell

2. What is graduate school?
Graduate school is training in research
Research = discovery of the unknown.
Are you an explorer?
Do you like to think creatively?
Are you eager to make a unique contribution to the world during your lifetime?
Are these things as important to you as a high salary?
A career in research can be very profitable, but if that is the only motivation it is likely to be disastrous.
Do what you love. The rest will take care of itself.

3. What is graduate school?
Graduate school is preparation for careers including:
industrial research
government research
academic research
teaching
Teaching is the ultimate destiny for any knowledge if it is to be preserved and expanded.

4. What is graduate school?
Graduate school is the pursuit of a Master’s or Doctoral Degree
Master of Science (M.S.)
2 year commitment
Research & writing
Industry or research technician, high school education,
Doctor of Philosophy in Science (Ph.D.)
4-6 year commitment
Extensive research & writing
academics, research
Post-Doctoral Position

5. Why go to Graduate School?
Graduate school requires intense commitment of time and resources.
Ability to work independently is a requirement!
Good reasons to apply:
Professional development/ career goals
Teaching, research, industry
Intellectual curiosity
Bad Reasons to apply:
Not sure what else to do
Don’t feel ready for a job
Waiting to get into medical school
Looking for expanded undergraduate education

6. BEFORE Applying to Graduate School
Grades and GRE’s
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Score well on the Graduate Record Examination (
Measures:
Verbal reasoning (scale is )
Quantitative reasoning (scale is )
Critical thinking
Analytical writing (scale is )
General
Biology
Many dates (can take at SLU)
Computer-based test scores reported within 3 weeks
Paper-based test scores reported within 4-6 weeks

7. BEFORE Applying to Graduate School
Gaining Experience
Start doing actual science early!
Lab courses
Real hands-on research experience
Find faculty with research that interests you
Biology Dept. Research Opportunities
Examine faculty research on web
faculty
request meeting about doing research
during their office hours or by appointment
Discuss research & commitment required
Join a scientific student organization
St. Louis University Tribeta Biology Club
Just Earth
SLU Alpha Epsilon Delta

8. Applying to Graduate School
Choose an area of research
What interests you?
Topics in courses
Read Science Daily
Career Info
Read job postings
See what looks interesting for you!

9. Applying to Graduate School
Select an institution
Scientific society within discipline often has lists of who has graduate assistantships to offer
American Society for Microbiology
American Physiological Society
Ecology Society of America
Talk with SLU Biology faculty members/ mentor/ advisor
Get application form& deadlines
mid January or earlier

10. Applying to Graduate School
Apply to primary and multiple secondary choice schools
High competition for positions
Be prepared to work on advisors research project
Usually will be working on a subset of the advisor’s research
Be flexible in your research interests
Research interests often change during or after graduate school

11. Applying to Graduate School
Select potential advisors
Find specific faculty members
Do your homework
Check their web site/ Read their scientific publications
Contact the potential advisor
do early – before applying!
Tell them:
why you are writing
why you find their research interesting
Are they accepting any graduate students?
Research assistantship or teaching assistantship available?
Send them your:
Curriculum Vitae (Academic resume – long version)

12. E-mail to Potential Graduate Advisor
Dear Dr. X,
Hi. My name is Bob Billiken I am a senior biology major at Saint Louis University. I am currently applying to graduate schools with PhD programs in the biological sciences, specifically those programs encompassing animal ecology research, and I came upon your information in the process. After reading about your research and the work done in your lab, I am very interesting in the possibility of earning my degree with you as my mentor.
If you are accepting new students into your lab this coming school year, I believe that I would be a worthy candidate. For your consideration, I have included below some information about myself and why I believe you should consider my application. I have also attached to this my resume and a writing sample from my undergraduate thesis proposal.
Please consider me as a potential member of your lab, as I believe I could provide a valuable contribution to your research team. If you have any questions or would like to talk to me further about the possibility of joining your lab if I am admitted to the biology graduate program, please contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Bob Billiken
What would you think if you got this letter?

13. Applying to Graduate School
What should be on your Curriculum vitae:
Undergraduate degree and date expected
List of science (& related) courses and grades
Science and non-science GPA
GRE scores
Research experience
In class/lab & in research lab
Work experience
References (these are important!)
Provide them with pertinent information to provide an accurate reflection of your abilities (see next slide)

14. Applying to Graduate School
How to get a good letter of recommendation
Request and discuss in person
Ask them if they can write a positive letter!
Provide all forms, stamped and addressed envelopes
Remind them of their interactions with you
Course number and semester and grade
Academic information
Names and numbers and grades for courses & GPA
Test scores, academic awards, etc.
Research & work experience
Be specific
Academic strengths & weaknesses
Personal characteristics
Concrete examples of your dependability, intellectual capabilities & critical thinking skills, initiative, written & oral communication skills, interpersonal skills
Gentle reminders of timeline

15. Applying to Graduate School
Letter of Intent
Your goals/ intentions
Why do you want to go to graduate school?
Your research interests
State clearly (not vague generalizations)
Should tailor for each potential advisor
Sell yourself!
Describe your qualities and experiences that make you unique and prepared
Grades, research experience, internships, work experience, maturity, extracurricular experience as it relates to graduate school, motivation

16. Applying to Graduate School
Interviews
Be prepared
Know faculty research interests
Ask to meet graduate students
Do one or more faculty have research programs that interest you?
Meet with each of them
Quality of library resources
Are more than one faculty are active in your research field of interest?
Send thank you!

17. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships
Fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees
Can apply your senior year!
Due in early November
Based on academic achievement, reference letters, GRE scores, research proposal