Graduate Studies Application Portfolio
Portfolio Purpose- The Applications Portfolio has been designed to assist you with the graduate
school application/admission process. The documents in this portfolio are generally requested by
most graduate school admission committees.
Remember, your application will be reviewed competitively along with many others, so allocate
the time necessary to complete the items in this portfolio as thoroughly and accurately as
possible. You are encouraged to utilize the editorial resources of the Academic Enrichment
Department Writing Lab and the McNair program.
Submission Guidelines- The following guidelines should assist you as you gather materials to
submit to the Academic Coordinator:
1) Begin the process of collecting materials listed below and organizing them
in the portfolio provided.
2) It is not required or expected that you will have accumulated all the materials
discussed below. This is the beginning of a process that will save you time and energy as you
begin applying to graduate schools. Required items include:
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Resume/Vita
Applications for schools you plan to apply (completed or not)
Statement of Purpose (even if it's preliminary)
Unofficial copy of your transcript or DARS
Grad School Analysis Forms (3 required; ok to copy and paste)
List of professional publications in your field
Any other information as you have collected to date.
3) It is acceptable to print financial aid data from the Internet and include it in your portfolio. A
completed financial aid application is not required if you are not ready to begin the application
process.
Applications- Once you make the decision to pursue post-graduate studies, you should begin by
gathering information about programs of particular interest to you and complete a Grad School
Analysis From for each institution you are considering. You will find current directories of
graduate schools in the CMSU Career Center, Kirkpatrick Library, the McNair office, and on the
Web. Take advantage of the expertise of your Department Mentor in evaluating graduate
programs in your discipline. There are 1,200 institutions in the United States that offer graduate
degrees and they are all quite different. The most important factor should be how well the
institution fits your particular interests and academic goals.
You might consider applying to at least three graduate schools--a prestigious, highly competitive
institution in your field; a major state university; and a smaller institution near your home that
fits both your academic and financial requirements. Obtain the applications prior to your senior
year, submit all materials requested for the application process, and meet all of the deadlines.
Remember to retain copies of the application in this portfolio, so you can remember the
information you have provided to each institution.
Statement of Purpose, Goals or Personal Statement- This is an important part of your
application to graduate school and gives you an opportunity to convey your special abilities and
skills to the admission committee. What are your long-term academic and career goals? How do
they relate to your choice of this particular graduate program? Describe your assets and
demonstrate reflective insight into your weaknesses. What are your research interests and how
are they compatible with the institutions you have applied to? Note that each program may
request slightly different information (i.e., personal statement, goal statement). Make sure to
provide specific information requested by each institution. This means you may need to develop
different statements for each program to which you apply. The statement should not exceed one
typewritten page, your thoughts should be well organized, and you should ask your Department
Mentor or perhaps an AE Writing Lab staff member to review your final draft.
Academic Transcripts- Most institutions will request that official transcripts be forwarded to
the Graduate Studies Office; however, you should have immediate access to a current unofficial
copy for reference during the admission interview.
Entrance Exam Test Scores- Register for and take the standardized entrance exams as early as
possible to allow yourself a chance to retake them if you wish to attempt to improve your scores.
Sample tests, books, and software are available in the McMcNair office. One-hour credit
preparation classes are also being offered for the GRE and LSAT. If you have a choice, do not
have your test scores sent to the graduate schools you are applying to until after you have had an
opportunity to evaluate them and decide whether you wish to retake the examination.
Graduate School Analysis Form- Complete the McNair Grad School Analysis Form with your
Department Mentor and turn it in to the Academic Coordinator by the deadline scheduled. Retain
a copy in the front of your portfolio.
Letters of Reference- Three letters of recommendation are required by most graduate schools.
Letters should be written by professors best qualified to testify to your academic ability and
potential for graduate study. Many schools prefer references representing your major field. Your
Department and Research Mentors should be in an ideal position to write letters of reference.
Furnish them with a copy of your resume, transcript, Statement of Purpose, and envelopes
addressed to the graduate schools you are applying to. Faculty members have many requests for
recommendation letters; therefore, be sure to provide them with enough information and give
them enough time to evaluate you properly. Retain copies in this portfolio, if professor provides
them to you.
Resume/Vita- The CMSU Career Services office can provide expert assistance in the
preparation of the resume/vita. Be sure to include any professional publications or presentations,
relevant work experience, scholarships, as well as the professional conferences and
organizational meetings you have attended. Draw attention to the fact that you are a McNair
participant since the McNair program is becoming well known across the nation. If you
completed a McNair research internship, provide the title and a brief description of your coauthored research project.
Financial Aid Package- An application for institutional financial aid will frequently come as a
part of your application packet, or be provided online. Be certain to request that information
when you contact graduate programs. You will probably need to provide information to three or
more offices, so you should keep copies of recent federal and state tax returns, as well as your
financial aid transcript in this portfolio. Most institutions provide financial aid both at the
department and graduate school level through grants, scholarships and fellowships. You will
generally need to complete a national financial aid form, such as the FAFSA, in addition to
campus specific forms. Student loans such as the Stafford and SLS are processed through the
campus financial aid office. Also, most university financial aid offices, for a minimal fee, can
now provide comprehensive listings of all the national programs and scholarships you may be
eligible for. Web sites also may provide such information free of charge. Published deadlines are
critical in the financial aid process, so make copies of everything you send and get post office
receipts for all your mailings. Find a contact person in the financial aid office of each institution
you are applying to. Attempt to always communicate with that individual.
Professional Journals, Organizations, and Recognized Leaders in the Field- Often during the
admission interview, professors will ask you to discuss recent developments in the field or the
contributions of significant researchers. With the assistance of your Library and Department
Mentors, prepare a list of the recognized professional publications and organizations in your
discipline; then prepare a separate listing of recent research developments in your field and the
contributing authors.
Personal Support Network- Include a copy of the Personal Support Network form in your
portfolio. This should be a list of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of friends, family
and professional contacts who support your plans for doctoral study.
Summer Research Project (if applicable)/Other Scholarly Works- Finally, include a copy of
your co-authored summer research project and note where it has been published and whether it
has been presented at a professional conference or workshop. Include the written results of other
scholarly work.
Other Material- Include in your portfolio any other materials or documents you consider
relevant to the application/admission process.