Getting into Graduate School

1. Getting into Graduate School James n. Starmer, Director California State University, Chico Career center

2. Before Applying to Grad School Research & Identify Grad Programs • Peterson’s Guides, Gradschools.com, California colleges & universities, specific university web sites, catalogs, site visits • Career Center advisors and department professors • Request or download applications Identify & Prepare for Required Exams • GRE, GMAT, CBEST, LSAT, MCAT • Testing Office – SSC 420 Gain relevant experience Inquire about assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and stipends

3. Application Components • Application • Resume or CV • Statement of Purpose/Letter of Intent • Transcripts • Entrance Exams; GRE, LSAT, Etc. (If Required) • Letters of Recommendation

4. Timeline Spring semester of your junior year • Start researching what type of programs are out there • Start talking to the faculty and Career Center advisors • Start or continue to get involved in faculty research, honors programs, clubs and organizations • Look closely at a related internship • Consider taking some practice tests (GRE)

5. Summer before your senior year: • Research graduate programs in your field • Make a rough list of schools to which you might apply • Start writing your personal statement • Begin studying for the admittance exam (GRE) and/or take them if possible. You may choose to retake if necessary, check out http://ankisrs.net/ • Take some practice tests (http://ETS.org/gre , Peterson’s Guide, etc)

6. Fall semester of your senior year: • Research specific programs • Start making your final list of schools to apply • Continue studying for the GREs (or other exams) • Take the GRE ASAP (if required) • Start talking to professors about letters of recommendation

7. Apply early! • Complete and send your applications, then follow-up with other required paperwork. It all does not have to be submitted together • Deadlines may be in January, February or March depending on the school • If possible, visit the school, meet the faculty (Network)

8. Statement of Purpose – Do’s • Theme, thesis = unity & direction • Identify & put in order what you want to discuss • Use concrete examples of support • Be sincere; write about your interests, passions • Grab their attention initially (quote, question, anecdote, scene description) • Have it critiqued by a Career Center advisor, faculty, others you trust • Edit & revise to make it perfect • Write clearly and succinctly, demonstrate excellent writing skills

9. Statement of Purpose – Don’ts • Don’t start your essay with “I was born in…” or “My parents came from…” • Don’t write an autobiography. • Don’t be afraid to start over if the essay just isn’t working or doesn’t answer the essay question. • Don’t try to impress your reader with your vocabulary. • Don’t rely exclusively on your computer to check your spelling. • Don’t give weak excuses for your GPA or test scores. • Don’t make things up, lie, or stretch the truth. • Don’t lecture to the experts (What you can gain from the program as well as what you bring is important)

10. Ten Tips for Better Writing • Use positive language • Use transitions between paragraphs to tie one paragraph to the next • Understand the words you write; don’t write to impress, write to communicate • Look up synonyms when you use the same word repeatedly • Make every word count. Do not repeat yourself. • Write clearly and succinctly

11. Helpful Web Sites and People www.csuchico.edu/career www.essayedge.com/graduate/essayadvice/course www.statementofpurpose.com www.accepted.com/grad/default.aspx www.ets.org www.kaplan.com http://ankisrs.net/ The Career Center • Help researching grad programs • Personal statement and resume reviews

12. Tips From Kaplan KAPLAN: TEST PREP AND ADMISSIONS

13. Tip #1: Know the Factors Quantitative Measures Qualitative Measures • Experience • Who you are • Opportunities to communicate • Undergrad GPA • Test Scores

14. Tip #2: Manage the Process • Research the schools to make a case for a fit • Network with staff, alums, students • Treat your application as a long-term project • Don’t think being qualified will qualify you • Don’t go just by official requirements • Don’t plan to work on all elements at once

15. Tip #3: Make your experience work for you • Highlight accomplishments on your resume • Draw on all your experience • Connect your work to your story • Don’t diminish your current situation • Don’t forget your non-work experience • Don’t think your experience speaks for itself

16. Tip #4: Develop your story • Identify your points of similarity and of difference • Tell people your story • Build yourself into your application • Don’t make assumptions about how you’re viewed • Don’t keep your story to yourself • Don’t omit or save any key points for later

17. Tip #5: Help your recommenders help you • Seek recs from people you know and trust • Give guidance to your recommenders • Manage deadlines • Don’t choose recommenders by credentials • Don’t assume your recommenders know what to say • Don’t think recs will arrive on time without you

18. That’s it. Good luck, and let us help!