Crafting a Competitive Application

Graduate school application components Application/Questionnaire Transcripts Resume/CV Letters of recommendation Statement of Purpose GRE 2

Application, Resume, Transcript Follow instructions/guidelines List your full name on top of every submitted document Submit before the first deadline! Ensure your application contains all required credentials Follow up Application Fees Resume Ensure it looks professional Transcript Submit official transcripts for every school attended since high school

2016 Student Academic Profile Average GPA – 3.57 Average GRE – 153/164/3.6 Average TOEFL – 98 Please mention that we admit students below and above this average.

Secrets to a Successful Graduate Application Preparation Research Start Connecting/Build relationships Familiarization with, knowledge of, and adhering to application guidelines/instructions Deadlines Required vs recommended Follow up

Resume What is a Resume/CV? What should be in your Resume/CV? What shouldn’t be in your Resume/CV? How long should your Resume/CV be? Good web resource: http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv.htm Explain differences briefly.

Recommendation letters Types of Recommendation Letters Do not submit letters from friends, coaches, family, etc... If submitting letters from industry they should be at a high level preferably someone with a PhD Long letters vs short letters Generic letters vs glowering letters Timing Allow 3-5 weeks for letters to be written PAD the due date Ensure Strong Faculty Recommendations Undergraduate Research Visit Their Office Do well in their courses! Read their publications Ask them to be your mentor Provide them with your resume and an outline of the points you would like covered if necessary At least 2 recommendations from PhD holders. Review committee composed of fac with PhD’s. Faculty value the input of another PhD because they know they understand what it takes to get a PhD. Each recommender should focus on a different area academics research aptitude personal characteristics or performance as an employee

Statement of Purpose What is a statement of purpose? Tips Concise One or two page essay describing your career goals and how your past experiences have prepared you for your desired path. Should be customized for research going on in the program to which you are applying Include potential advisors and their research Tips Concise Identify gaps quickly Write, rewrite, have others edit Make is engaging Mention this is an opportunity to differentiate themselves from all the other applicants. In some cases it will be a chance to make a first impression. Include how their program will help you achieve your goals. Reach out to fac of interest early to establish relationship If fac interested in you this could differentiate you from other applicants.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Take it! even if your first choice school does not require it Take practice tests Be very familiar with the format and instructions prior Strive for a high Quantitative score Be cognizant of score submission deadlines

GRE http://www.gre.org Computer-based exams offered continuously Resources include online practice exams, and campus workshops/seminars Submit GRE scores with admission packet GRE required for some funding at some funding opportunities

Additional Resources http://www.statementpurpose.com http://accepted.com/grad http://www.princetonreview.com/grad http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/gradapp.html