Applying to Ph.D. programs CBS Proseminar Topic Fall 2005

Applying after a Master’s program Similar to applying after BA, but some differences –Not just coursework –Your research projects Thesis - demonstration of your ability to –Conduct original research –Present written results Other research experiences –Other professional development experiences –Use your master’s experience to build a focus within an area Ph.D. programs aren’t the place to decide what you want to do

Applying Check list 1.Finish the thesis 2.Keep your vita updated 3.Prepare your list of schools 4.Consider retaking your GRE 5.Prepare your list of references 6.Visit the school 7.Write your statement of purpose 8.Apply - don’t miss the deadlines!

1. Finish the Thesis 1.Good idea to have at least your proposal done when applying 2.Finish the Master’s before starting the Ph.D. program 1.May not let you in until you do 2.Hard to finish the master’s with all of the new work

2. Update your vita 1.Keep track of all of your professionally related experiences 1.All presentations (posters, talks, papers) 2.Specialized training (workshops, lab experiences, etc.) 3.Teaching experience 2.Update regularly 1.Get in the habit of checking on a monthly basis

3. Prepare your list of programs 1.How many? 1.I recommend several (with a range of difficulty) 2.Which? 1.Match with advisor 1.Their research interests 2.Their prestige, willingness to publish with students (empirical reports and book chapters) 3.Their recent graduates 4.Their current graduate students 2.Quality of the program 1.How do you tell? 1.Word of mouth, ratings, publications, resources,grants 3.Money - how well are the graduate students paid?

4. Consider retaking GRE 1.If you are unhappy with your scores take the tests again (hopefully grad school will have helped) 2.Check out the schools that you are applying to. 1.Often they list average GRE scores of applicants

5. Prepare your list of references 1.Who do you pick? 1.Thesis committee chair 2.People who know your research skills 3.People who know your teaching skills 4.People who know people at the prospective program 2.What do you give your references? 1.Written statement 2.Vita 3.Organized packet including all the letter forms, clear deadlines, etc

6. Visit the school 1.Why is it important? 1.Meet with your future advisor 2.Meet with your future graduate student peers 3.Demonstrate your initiative 4.Put a face to the name on the application 5.See the resources available to students 6.Get a “feel” of the place 2.Make a virtual visit, send an to potential advisors 3.Sometimes they’ll pay for your visit

7. Write your statement of purpose 1.Spend time with this 1.Plan on several drafts 2.Get people (especially faculty) to look it over 3.Customize: tailor at least part of the statement to the people/place that you are applying to 4.Keep it relatively brief (don’t go over the space allotted) 5.Proofread (don’t let them read your mistakes) 2.Things to focus on 1.Your research experiences 2.Your goals/plans in the profession

8. Apply 1.Don’t miss the deadlines! 2.Allow plenty of extra time for letters, GRE scores, etc. to get there

List of 15 things evaluated 1.Applicant is listed as a senior author of a research article. 2.Applicant is sole author on a paper at convention. 3.Applicant has a letter from a prominent mentor. 4. Applicant's personal statement reveals a sustained and focused interest in an area appropriate to your program. 5.Applicant has earned a junior authorship on a research article 6.Applicant is in the top 5 % of the graduating class. 7. Applicant writes very well. 8.Applicant includes a research paper in submitted application package that is relevant to your program focus. 9.Application materials indicate that applicant paid considerable attention to assessing a "match' 10. Applicant is the sole author of a paper presented at an undergraduate research conference. 11. Applicant was a research assistant as an undergraduate. 12. Applicant is a "self-starter" (according to recommenders). 13. Applicant was a junior author of paper at APA, APS or a large regional association convention. 14. Applicant won a departmental award in a research paper competition. 15 Applicant is highly motivated to achieve (according to recommenders).

After you are in 1.Assuming you are accepted to more than one 1.Enjoy - now they’re fighting over you 2.Visit (especially if you haven’t already) 3.Ask questions 1 How would you describe student-faculty relations in your graduate program? 2 Is your potential advisor friendly? What's he or she like? 3 Where have recent graduates of the program recently been employed? 4 Are students in the program publishing? Where have they published? 5 Are students expected to buy their own computers, or are there enough computers available in the campus laboratories to get work done there? 6 What do students do for fun? 7 How many students in the program are married? How many are single? 8 How expensive is it to live in the area?

Things to avoid doing 1.Giving recommenders little lead time 2.Not doing background work on programs and potential advisors 3.Not considering financial concerns 4.Not letting somebody read your personal statement

Useful resources