WELCOME STUDENTS Applying to and Preparing for Graduate School

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WELCOME STUDENTSApplying to and Preparing for
Graduate School

• Megan Palsa
• Director
• Office of Graduate Studies

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Todays Presentations

• Preparing for
• Fellowship Opportunities
• Lucy Deckard
• GRE Preparation
• Cody Blair
• Undergraduate Research
• Nicole Priolo

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Before Applying

• What fields of study and colleges support your
  career goals?
• What universities offer the degree?
• Are there professors working in the area of my
  interest?
• What is the reputation of the university program
  in my field of interest?
• On-line (Distance) vs. in residence?

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First Steps (cont).

• Talk to Professors in your areas of interest
  about career goals and possible programs
• Talk to People in your profession of interest
  about salary levels and challenges
• Talk to Graduate Advisors and Career Counselors
• Take the GRE

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How and When do I apply?

• Be sure that you really want to do it!
• Know your goals/plans
• Research potential schools
• Review application process for the schools
  and identify individual deadlines
• Budget for application fees

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12-14 months before

• Write first draft of statement/essay
• Develop resume/vitae
• Make connections with faculty and researchers at
  each potential school
• Research financial assistance available
• Start collecting/preparing for other admission
  requirements
• Begin studying and preparing for the GRE
• Think about potential people to write letters of
  recommendation

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10-11 months before

• Attend grad school lectures/fairs
• Finalize list of schools for application
• Discuss final list of school with
  professors/advisors
• Contact schools for application forms, etc.
• Finalize statement/essay
• Decide recommenders ask to write letters send
  thank you as reminder
• Register for GRE, continue studying
• Complete other admission requirements

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8-9 months before

• Take GRE, request scores be sent to your list of
  schools
• Submit requests for official transcripts
• Follow-up with recommenders to make sure letters
  have been sent
• Complete application forms

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7-8 months before

• Mail completed applications (late Dec., early
  Jan. for fall) even if deadlines later
• Apply for, express interest in financial support,
  grad assistantships
• Budget for travel to universities

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4-6 months before

• Hopefully . . . Begin to receive acceptance
  letters from colleges
• Follow-up on financial assistance
• Attend any required interviews
• Visit colleges that accept you, but dont require
  interviews ask for for travel

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3-4 months before

• Hopefully . . . Receive offers of financial
  support and grad assistantships
• Make final decision on which program to attend
• Get information on orientations, how to register,
  etc.
• Make plans for relocation, if necessary

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OGS Websitehttp//ogs.tamu.edu

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Need More Help?

• Office of Graduate Studies
• 302 Jack K. Williams Building
• [phone]
• Megan Palsa
• Directormeganp_at_tamu.edu
• [phone]

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Office of Graduate Studies
Jack K. Williams Administration Bldg. Room 302