STEM Graduate Schools: To Be or Not To Be

1. STEM Graduate Schools:To Be or Not To Be SCS STEM Webinar series Presenter: Kyra Young SCS Program Coordinator

2. How to Participate in the Webinar 1) Chat & Questions. If you do NOT have access to a micand do not call in with a phone, you can use the Questions feature to type a question that you want to ask to the presenters. At the end of the presentation, the facilitator will read out loud any questions that come through this feature. 2) Raise Hand. For most of the webinar, all participants will be in listen-only mode, meaning that they will be muted. When the presenter opens the floor for questions, people will not be unmuted unless they use the Raise Hand function. 3) Surveys.After the webinar ends, a link will be emailed to you to participate in a survey. We encourage ALL participants to participate.

3. Agenda • STEM Prep Suggestions • STEM School Application • Research Experience • Letters of Recommendation • Personal Statement • GRE • Resources • Q&A

4. STEM Prep Suggestions • Determine if graduate school in STEM area is the right path for you • Visit your Career Center, attend a workshop, conduct informational interviews, and talk to a counselor. • Study • Visit the Math Resource Center, the Writing Center, STEM Departments, and the Academic Achievement Center on your campus.

5. STEM Prep Suggestions • Get involved, Get experience • Join a club or organization (leadership); intern/work for a business; participate in community service; get to know your instructors • Get research experience • Published or unpublished • Research STEM schools • Visit the Pathways to Science website.

6. STEM School Application

7. STEM School Applications • NO grammatical or spelling mistakes anywhere! • Submit Early (more time) – late Sept, early Oct • Rolling admissions – limited # of spaces between 2 set dates • Round admissions – multiple deadlines, best to submit 1st round • Discretion occurs early • End of the process is most competitive • You only need 1 advocate from STEMschool committee (60% numbers, 40% committee) • Apply for fee waivers Call or visit STEM Schools/Programs and ASK • Fill out 15-20 school apps Across all levels, across the country Negotiation – geographic diversity, financial aid, facing challenges Apply to all UCs & big out-of-state schools • Check data services of STEM schools • Visit Admission Offices and speak to representatives • Helps to get your name out there before you apply. Smaller schools may actually remember you. • Keep professional communication

11. Components of STEM School Applications • Online or Paper Application • Transcripts (GPA) • GRE/Subject Test • Letters of Recommendation • Personal Statements/Admissions Essay(s) • Addendum Letters • Interview (subject to program)

12. GRE Facts • GRE – Graduate Record Examination Paper-based and computer-administered test available • Cost: $175 (other fees not included) • Frequency: Most weekdays and weekends year around • Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes • 3 Sections: 1) Verbal [V], 2) Quantitative [Q], and 3) Analytical Writing [AW] • Scoring: 130-170 max [V & Q], 0-6 max [AW] Online Sources: The Princeton Review, ETS Testing

13. GRE Subject Test Available Subject Test include: • Biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology • Biology • Chemistry • Computer science • Literature in English • Mathematics • Physics • Psychology

14. GRE Tips • Practice, Practice, Practice! • Take a GREprep course i.e. Princeton Review (SCS discount), Kaplan, Benchprep • Private tutoring • FREE: GRE prep books at library, study at bookstore • TIME is KEY!!! • Seek experiences of graduate students, ASK questions • Analytical, reading classes • Practice, Practice, Practice! Practice makes perfect!!!

15. Research #1 Question of Graduate School Admissions Committee: Does this person have the potential to conduct scientific research? • Research Experience: • If published work, then you've already answered the question (Be sure to add to CV/Resume) • If unpublished work, submit it with your application, and someone from the field will judge the quality of the work. • If no prior experience, don't lose hope. You can still get in, because schools are trying to judge potential to do research. • Masters-Only Tip: • If the school lets you select thesis or coursework as a preference, select thesis. • Selecting coursework signals the admissions committee that you're not interested in research! But, just selecting thesis is not enough! • Your personal statement needs to convince the admissions committee that you actually want to get a thesis in some research topic, rather than just take more classes. Article Source

16. Resume & Interviews Resume: • Updated resume of academic and professional experience • List info chronologically (most recent first) or by skill set • Include: Experience (Work, Research*), Educational Background, Skills (i.e. languages and computer). Other sections to consider: Leadership Activities, Community Service/Volunteerism If CV (Curriculum Vitae), follow standard academic format (online) • Reviews from Career Counselor, experienced professional (SCS) * Research, published or unpublished , is one of the most important aspects of your application. Interviews: • Check if graduate program recommends or requires an interview • Practice/mock interviews with Career Counselor or experienced professional (SCS) • Dress in professional and appropriate business attire

17. Letters of Recommendation

18. Letters of Recommendation • Most graduate schools require at least 1letter of recommendation and may ask for up to 3letters. The strongest letters come from faculty or employers who are familiar with your intellectual abilities, leadership potential, research experience, ability to work with others, and other skills relevant to a STEM school admissions committees. • Don't seek a recommender with a fancy title who doesn't know you well enough to speak to your attributes. They should be able to attest to your strengths, offering concrete and specific examples of your accomplishments. • You don't need to prepare a file of recommendation letters until shortly before you apply for graduate school, but you should begin building rapport with instructors or faculty advisers early in your undergraduate career. Give your recommenders plenty of time to write letters (pass out brag sheets), always making sure to thank them and follow up with your program status.

19. Application Essays/Personal Statement • Cornerstone • Goal: rich portrait of who YOUare • 2 pgs, 1” margins, double-spaced • Common essay topics Why are you applying to STEMschool? Why did you choose this program? What are your career goals? How would you make a contribution to this program? • Proofread with Professional

20. Other Application Tips • If AB540: • Apply with more rigor (scholarships, CA Dream Act, etc.) • If Waitlisted: • Fire off letter (letter of continuance) – email, fax, walk it in If true: my top choice, more extracurricular activities, other awards/ achievements since applying • Alumni of schools support (advocacy) • If Denied: • Seek assessment of your application and advice to improve your chances • Improve publication record and apply to more schools next time • KEEP TRYING!!! Lack of funding is a common rejection reason

21. Resources, Research & Aid Online STEM Resources: STEM Education Coalition - http://www.stemedcoalition.org/ Emerging Resources National Conference in STEM - http://www.emerging-researchers.org/ Research Opportunities & Aid: National Science Foundation (NSF) - http://www.nsf.gov/ Journal of STEM Education - http://ojs.jstem.org/index.php?journal=JSTEM Global Research Council (GRC) - http://www.globalresearchcouncil.org/ Please visit your Career Centers, STEM Departments, and reach out to your Academic Counselors, mentors, and graduate students for further opportunities.

23. THANK YOU!!!