2. Agenda 1.Introduction 2.Resume 3.Personal Statements 4.References 5.“Kisses of Death” 6.Summary

3. Disclaimer Graduate school requirements and applications will vary depending on the program and school

4. Introduction Undergraduate degree Academic achievement Minimum “B” GPA or higher Often emphasis on 3 rd or 4 th year Relevant experience Grad school application Graduate school admissions requirements: http://www.ryerson.ca/nutritionandfood Education Pathways:

5. Introduction Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume Post-secondary transcripts Personal statement / Letter of intent References Grad school application components: Curriculum vitae Personal statement References

6. CV vs. Resume CVResume Length Content Use For employers outside of academia or research No page limit Emphasis on academic experience (e.g. research, teaching, publications) Skills, experience, education 1 or 2 pages For academic or research positions, grad school, fellowships, grants

7. Duty vs Accomplishment Statements Which statement has more impact? Counselled diabetic youth on different topics OR Increased diabetes management and awareness by providing nutrition counselling to 20+ youth on treatment strategies, such as diet and exercise

8. Personal Statements What is a personal statement?

9. Personal Statements Why you? What makes you unique? Highlight relevant experience, skills, qualifications, achievements Research interests? Academic background – how have you prepared? Why that program? Why that school? Career goals (short and long term) Address discrepancies (e.g. grades, program change) How would you be an asset to the program? Topics usually addressed:

10. Personal Statements Research schools and programs- Education PathwaysEducation Pathways Look up research interests of potential supervisors Ensure good fit with your own interests Contact / speak to potential supervisors in advance (esp. for thesis based programs) Additional tips:

11. Personal Statements Interesting intro paragraph with a “hook” Details, details, details – use specific examples / stories Write clearly – avoid run-on sentences and jargon Proofread! No spelling or grammar errors Avoid clichés Avoid controversial subjects (e.g. religion or politics) Get feedback from career centre, professors, individuals in field Additional tips (Cont’d):

12. References 2-3 references usually required Notify references as early as possible Letters from professors or professionals who can attest to your academic ability and fit for a program Get reference letters from individuals who can give you a STRONG reference Provide gentle reminders about application date Send thank you once letter sent

13. “Kisses of Death” Damaging personal statements Discussing personal mental health Excessive altruism Too much self-disclosure / unprofessional Harmful letters of recommendation Unsuitable applicant characteristics Inappropriate references Lack of program focus / fit Poor writing and grammar Tacky attempts to impress Major grad school application turn offs: Source: Appleby, D. & K., Kisses of Death in the Grad. School App. Process

14. Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program (OGS) OGS awards are merit-based scholarships available to students in all disciplines of academic study valued at $15,000 per year. It is funded by the Province of Ontario and by Ontario universities. Duration of the Award Each OGS is tenable for a maximum of one year (three terms) and a minimum of two consecutive terms. Eligible students can reapply. Standard Eligibility Criteria - Plan to be enrolled full-time in a graduate program - Canadian citizen, permanent resident or an international student (visa) - Grade point average A- and above or equivalent, in the last 20 one- term/semester courses completed Application Procedure & Deadline Adjudicated by Universities, please check program website

15. Step-by-Step Guide Research into program(s) and school(s): Website Information sessions, chats with faculty members Check deadline(s) for submitting application Prepare application package: Forms, CV/Resume, Transcript(s), Personal Statement/Letter of Intent, References, etc. Research into funding and scholarship opportunities, and associated application deadlines

16. Summary Submit a strong grad school application by preparing well in advance, conducting research, and getting feedback from trusted sources.

17. Resources Career Resource Centre – POD60A

18. Connect With Us! www.facebook.com/RyersonCareer www.twitter.com/RyersonCareer www.youtube.com/RyersonCareer Ryerson University Career Development & Employment Centre www.ryerson.ca/career Contact Information: Location: POD 60 Phone: (416) 979 – 5177 Email: career@ryerson.ca Hours: Mon-Thurs8:30 am – 6:30 pm Fri8:30 am – 4:30 pm instagram.com/ryersoncareer