Applying to Grad School: Hints and Tips

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Applying to Grad School Hints and Tips

• By
• Collin Moore

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Initial Issues to Consider

• Do you want to spend YEARS getting a Masters or
  Doctorate degree?
• How interested are you in the field?
• Graduate school requires massive time, effort,
  money, and sacrifices are you ready?
• Think before you apply.
• Know Thyself

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Grad School Application Requirements

• High GPA, check each schools requirements.
• GRE score in U.S. and some Canadian schools, not
  in Europe. Check each school for required score.
• Letters of Reference (2 or 3).
• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose
• Writing Sample

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Letters of Reference

• Do your professors know your abilities? Establish
  a familiarity with them.
• Can they write you good letters of reference? Ask
  them.
• Again, choose the profs that you are most
  familiar with and vice versa.
• Schools usually need 2 or 3 letters.

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Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Basically an academic resume.
• Format is personal choice, let a prof proofread
  when complete.
• Include
• Presentations (class and conference)
• Research papers
• Publications
• Other academic projects in your field
• Any other applicable experience
• Research projects
• Field schools
• Etc.

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Statement of Purpose

• What you want to do at a particular school.
• Must be to the point do not stray off topic!
• Length differs with school usually between 1.5
  and 2 pages.
• Include your areas of interest.
• Why did you choose this particular school?
• Should have as many Statements as schools
  applying for each will be tailored to a
  different school.
• Include who you want to be your adviser(s) and
  why.
• Include why the school should choose you from
  other applicants.
• Sell yourself.

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Written Sample of Work

• Choose one that you feel represents your best
  work.
• If possible, double check with a prof to get
  advise on a particular paper.
• If possible, choose one that is relevant to
  program being applied to.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread! Make sure paper
  is as perfect as possible.

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Other Important Tips

• Contact department ahead of time
• Graduate secretary
• Professors interested in working with
• By email
• Telephone
• In person
• Know each schools deadlines
• Know varying criteria for applying read between
  the lines.
• After applying, contact department to see if your
  file is complete.
• Hope and wait!!!

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End

• I hope this is of some help in the nerve racking
  time surrounding applying to grad school.
• If you have any questions I would be happy to
  give advice, contact me at
• Ragnarok_8681_at_yahoo.com
• 204.775.8764
• Good Luck!