Workshop: Gear-Up for Grad School Writing for Graduate School

1. Workshop: Gear-Up for Grad SchoolWriting for Graduate School Presented by Tod Roberts, Instructor of EnglishUSF Sarasota-Manatee Room B206 / 10:30-11:20 a.m. / Jan 23, 2010 This presentation will be available for download here: http://www.todroberts.com/USF/grad-school.htm

2. Today’s Topics • Your Application Statement • Sample essay instructions • What readers need from you • Delivering the right message • Analysis of sample statement • Writing for Graduate Courses & Degrees • How does it differ from undergraduate work? • What do professors expect? • How do you meet those expectations? • What should you know now about writing theses and dissertations? • Helpful resources

3. Sample Essay Instructions FROM USF SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK(http://socialwork.usf.edu/msw/admissions/) The written statement should be approximately 750 words, typed, double-spaced, and must be submitted with the School of Social Work’s application. Please include: how your life experiences, including those relating to human diversity, have led you to an interest in the social work field; your reasons and readiness for pursuing a graduate degree; and an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, you should describe any experiences that you have had, either voluntary or paid, in working with people. FROM USF DEPT OF PSYCHOLOGY(http://psychology.usf.edu/grad/admission/personalstate.aspx) Please describe your research experiences, explaining the purpose of the studies in which you were involved, your contributions to this research, and the skills you gained. Connect these and other experiences to your current research interests and to your future career goals. In your statement, explicitly state the concentration(s) to which you are applying (Cognition, Neuroscience, Social Psychology, Interdisciplinary Program in Speech/Language/Hearing) and the CNS faculty member(s) with whom you wish to work.

4. What Readers Need From You • Conciseness: you have 20 seconds to grab the reader • Command of message: everything you write should ... • Convince your reader that you deserve to be admitted • Excel in logic, organization, and clarity • What makes you stand out: why should you be chosen over another applicant? • Adherence to instructions • Content varies from one school or program to another • Where directions are vague, be creative!

5. Delivering the Right Message • Message: “I am a strong applicant because ...” • I will repay the school’s (and/or taxpayers’) investment in my degree many times over through my career in _________ • I have proven my ability through _________ [undergraduate academic record, work history, personal character, and ?] • Message: “I am well prepared to succeed” • I have shown an ability to set and reach a goal • I can handle stress and a demanding workload • I am intellectually capable • I will contribute to the profession and to society through ______ [research, teaching, _______ ?]

6. Sample Application Statement (430 words) Writer begins with sharp focus on answer to main question -- why graduate school? Why me? Source: http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/articles/grad/gradessaysecrets.html I have been planning a career in geological sciences for several years, but as an undergraduate I concentrated on getting a solid background in math and science. After graduation, I took a job to allow myself time to think through my plans thoroughly and to expose myself to a variety of work situations. This strategy has been valuable to me in rounding out my career plans. During the past 18 months I have had first-hand experience with computers in various business applications. This has stimulated me to think about ways in which computers could be used for scientific research. One idea that particularly fascinates me is mathematical modeling of natural systems, and I think those kinds of techniques could be put to good use in geological science. I have always enjoyed and been strong in areas that require logical, analytical thought, and I am eager to combine my interest in earth science with my knowledge of, and aptitude for, computer-related work. There are several specific areas that I have already studied that I think would lend themselves to research based on computing techniques, including mineral phase relations in igneous petrology and several topics in structural geology. Now he moves to more specific explanation of vocational and intellectual interest in advanced study. At end of paragraph, he shows knowledge of his field and presents details about future plans based on graduate degree.

7. Sample Statement (cont.) Next, the writer presents concise summary of academic preparation and knowledge of how to apply this learning. I have had both lecture/lab and field courses in structural geology, as well as a short module dealing with plate tectonics, and I am very interested in the whole area. I would like to explore structural geology and tectonics further at the graduate level. I am also interested in learning more about geophysics. I plan to focus on all these areas in graduate school while at the same time continuing to build up my overall knowledge of geology. My ultimate academic goal is to earn a Ph.D., but enrolling first in a master's program will enable me to explore my various interests and make a more informed decision about which specific discipline I will want to study in depth. As far as long-term plans go, I hope for a position at a university or other institution where I can indulge my primary impulse, which is to be involved in scientific research, and try my hand at teaching. My decision to focus on math and science as an undergraduate and to explore the computer industry after college has equipped me with a unique set of strengths to offer this program. The depth of my interest in geology has only grown in my time away from academia, and although I have identified several possible areas of specialization through prior studies, I look forward to contributing my fresh perspective on all subjects. Logical explanation of the intended progress from master’s to Ph.D. strengthens the message. Closing paragraph sums up and reiterates his readiness for advanced study. Writer concludes with focus on what he expects to contribute, not gain.

8. Writing for Graduate Courses • How does this differ from undergraduate writing? • Intensity (time, depth, intellectual level) • Research (going beyond the superficial or expected) • Stricter format and documentation requirements • Scholarly style, tone, structure • What do professors expect? • As an apprentice, you will be scrutinized for your “professional fit” and “collegiality” • Your stress tolerance will be frequently tested • Gaps in knowledge can be forgiven, but not gaps in intellectual ability

9. Writing for Graduate Courses (cont.) • Meeting the expectations • Submit work on time • Control emotional / financial stress • Don’t take the hazing personally • Keep your eyes on the prize • Theses and dissertations • If you can write a complex seminar paper, you can write a thesis or dissertation • Break the task into manageable parts • Choose a compatible advisor who has your interests at heart (At the Ph.D. level, the Germans call this person “your Doctor Father.”)

10. Helpful Resources: Personal Statement • Grad school personal statement or application essay • http://web.psych.washington.edu/writingcenter/writingguides/pdf/personal.pdf • http://www.elearners.com/guide-to-online-education/writing-your-graduate-school-statement.asp • http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/tasks/graduate.shtml • http://www.quintcareers.com/graduate_school.html = offers sample essays and instructions • http://gradschool.about.com/od/essaywriting/All_About_the_Graduate_Admissions_Essay.htm • http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/gcallaghan/graduate/winningstatement.htm • http://departments.colgate.edu/diw/gradschool.html • https://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement.stm • http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/gradapp.html • DON'T WRITE LIKE THIS: Winners of "Bad Writing" Contest: http://www.denisdutton.com/bad_writing.htm • http://www.donaldasher.com/books.php?pid=gae.book • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/ • https://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement.stm = thorough and useful

11. Helpful Resources: Grad-School Writing • Writing quality expectations for graduate students • http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds1-2/advice1.html • http://www.indiana.edu/~kruschke/lab/nibley.html • http://www.essayforum.com/6_6273_0.html • http://www.korepetycje.com/Essays_Articles/graduate-writing.html = GOOD SUMMARY • Writing the academic paper: http://www-e.uni-magdeburg.de/hkersten/WritingPapers/Writlink.htm • http://tsenft.livejournal.com/366844.html = USEFUL • http://writing-program.uchicago.edu/courses/grad.htm • http://www.apa.org/apags/members/writing4pub.html • http://iuace.wikidot.com/writing • http://heibeck.freeshell.org/Grad_Advice/ (general, but does discuss dissertation) • http://heibeck.freeshell.org/Grad_Advice/Letter_to_students.html#writing • Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills -- A Course for Non-native Speakers of English (English for Specific Purposes) (Paperback, 1994) by John M. Swales (Author), Christine B. Feak (Author) • Books on Writing for Grad Students: http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/books5.html • Best writing practices for grad students: http://cnx.org/content/m14054/latest/