Applying to Graduate School
Pertinent Questions
Why am I considering
going to graduate school?
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Expectations of family, faculty, etc.
Don’t know what else to do.
Not sure what I want to do.
Be occupied before reapplying to
professional school.
• These are NOT GOOD REASONS!
What do I want to be?
• Imagine yourself 10 years from now.
• Will that career require a graduate degree?
– If so, a Master’s or Ph.D?
What if I don’t know
which career is for me?
• Career services
– 150 Careers in the Health Care Field
• Occupational Outlook Handbook HF5381. U62
1998-1999 + other Career Guides (HF5381 in Library)
• Other Websites listed on last slide
• Imagine!
• The 8+8+8 Hour Day for Pay Strategy
How can I be sure if
a career is right for me?
• You can’t ever be certain, but you can be
well informed.
• Go with your gut feeling.
What is the purpose of
Graduate School?
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Prepare you for your chosen career
Master techniques, develop independence
Develop research skills
Build credentials
Graduate School is NOT a purgatory for
pre-professional schools!
• Graduate School admissions requirements
are NOT trivial.
Masters or Ph.D.
Which is for me?
• Depends on career plans and job market
• What is the difference?
• Masters
– 2-3 years, pay your own way
– more coursework, less research
• Ph.D.
– 4-6+ years, includes financial support (stipend)
– 1-2 years coursework, 2+ years fulltime research
How do I decide where to apply?
• Ask your professors for recommendations
• Look at Websites
• Check Peterson’s Graduate Programs in the
Biological Sciences (copy in Dept. Office)
• Search for faculty who are doing interesting
research
– Keyword searching
– Get abstracts or papers
What are the
admissions requirements?
• GPA varies by program
• Research experience highly desirable
– Letter from research supervisor
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
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General Test: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical
Computer-based General: 1st 3 wks each month ($99)
Subject Test: 1 of 14 areas (Biology is one)
Paper based Subject test: ($130) Nov, Dec, & April
• Apply online (www.gre.com)
How can I find out about a
particular graduate program?
• Peterson’s “Guide” will provide
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Description of the program
List of facilities
Financial aid.....Stipends!!!
Out of State Policy
Cost of study
Housing
Applying (Requirements, deadlines)
List of faculty & their research interests
Contact person
How do I contact a program?
• Write, e-mail, or call Graduate Director of
the program listed in Peterson’s Guide
• Check Website
• Ask for information on their program
What should I look for in a
graduate program?
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# 4 Expectations for teaching/work study
# 3 Time to complete degree
# 2 Reputation
# 1 Several faculty who are doing interesting
.......research
How can I increase my chances
of being accepted?
• Get abstracts and papers from faculty doing
interesting research
• Read those abstracts and papers
• Call or write the Graduate Director for
application, mentioning the names of their
faculty
• Call or write the faculty person(s) and
inform them of your interest. (This is
flattering.)
• Ask to come for a visit
What happens on a visit to a
graduate school?
• Meet with
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Graduate Advisor
Members of Admissions Committee
Prospective Thesis Advisors
Current graduate students
• Tour the
– department
– facilities
– environs
What will they ask me
during my visit?
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What research experience do you have?
What topics interest you?
How much do you already know?
Why are you interested in their program?
What are your career goals?
What should I look for
on my visit?
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Modern facilities
Enthusiasm of faculty and students
How long to complete the degree
Teaching/Work study
opportunities/requirements
• Attitude of graduate students
• How hard people are working
• Attitude of faculty toward students
What should I ask?
• Degree requirements
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Examinations
Timetables
Course requirements
Teaching/ work study expectations
• Basis of admissions decisions
• Questions about the projects you see
What are they looking for in me?
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Interest & Enthusiasm
Evidence of preparation
Reaction to criticism
Work ethic
Determination & Dedication
Awareness of what you’re getting into
How should I
follow-up my visit?
• Letter of thanks to
– Admissions Director
– others
• Grad students who you visited or hosted you
• Prospective advisors
What happens to my application?
• Examined by Admissions Committee
• You are discussed and voted on
• Your prospective advisor(s) can put in a
good word
What is life like as a first year
Ph. D. graduate student?
• 1st year coursework, many seminars
• Rotate through several labs of your
choosing
• By end of first year, select thesis advisor
• Forget carefree summers
• Comprehensive exams on course work
• Select thesis project in consultation with
advisor
What is life like as a 2nd year
graduate student?
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Begin fulltime research on your project
Become a specialist on the literature
Master techniques
Report your progress
Select thesis committee of 3-5 scientists
Specialty exam (oral and/or written)
How long does it take to
complete the degree?
• Depends on
– how hard you work
– how difficult a project you attempt
– how much support you get from
• advisor
• technicians
– how much is expected by your
• advisor
• Thesis/dissertation committee
What is the most important
decision I’ll make?
• Choosing an advisor
• Your advisor will
– give you advice
– establish how much must be accomplished to
earn a degree
– determine how fast you move along by how
much assistance they give you
– be a part of your scientific pedigree
– influence what happens once you finish
What do I consider when
choosing an advisor?
• How much s/he expects of students
– time in the lab
– contribution to the work of the lab
– teaching
• Track record for grants
• Fate of previous graduate students
• Interpersonal skills
– helpfulness (sink or swim vs. mentor)
– patience
– individual attention
• Other Commitments (teaching, people in lab, etc.)
What is the cost of
graduate school?
• Doesn’t matter for Ph.D! Tuition and fees
are often waived, even for out of state
students.
• Most Ph.D. programs support you for the
first year with a stipend of $15-20K
• After 1st year, most programs expect your
stipend to be paid from your advisor’s grant.
• Since your advisor is spending money on
you, they have a right to expect you to be
productive!
If they’re paying me to get a degree,
what do they expect in return?
• Productive research
• Publications
• Commitment to science
– Some funding may restrict choices (ROTC Style)
• Intent to continue in industry or research or
academics
• Enhance their reputation
What should I be doing
and when? (for Seniors)
• October
– Consider career plans
– Prepare a list of programs to investigate
– Schedule GRE
• November
– Request information & applications
– Check out faculty research
• December
– Schedule a visit
The Time Line for Seniors
(continued)
• Jan-Feb
– Applications deadline
– Follow-up correspondences
– Invitations for interviews
• Mar-May
– Admissions decisions are made
– Notification of your acceptance/rejection
What should I be doing now?
(I’m a NOT a Senior.)
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Investigate summer research opportunities!
Arrange to get research experience!!!
Look at admissions requirements.
Prepare for GRE
Be a serious student
Useful Websites
• http://www.furman.edu/~snyder/careers/car
eers.html (specifically for Bio majors)
• http://stats.bls.gov:80/ocohome.htm
(Occupational Outlook Handbook)
• GRE http://www.gre.org
• Peterson’s Guides http://petersons.com
• http://gradschools.com