How to Apply to Graduate School · Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) ... identified as...
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How to Apply to Graduate School SOHA ACOSTA, MA ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT AND INT’L ADMISSIONS GRADUATE SCHOOL UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
Transcript of How to Apply to Graduate School · Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) ... identified as...
How to Apply to Graduate SchoolSOHA ACOSTA, MAASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT AND INT’L ADMISSIONSGRADUATE SCHOOLUNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
Agenda
Parts of the Graduate Application Standardized Test Scores Transcripts Letters of Recommendation Personal Statement Curriculum Vitae/Résumé/Writing Sample/Portfolio The Application
Questions
Parts of the Graduate School Application
1. Standardized Test Scores2. Transcripts3. Letters of Recommendation4. Personal Statement5. Curriculum Vitae/Résumé/Writing
Sample/Portfolio6. The Application
1. Standardized Tests
Unique test required for type of school:Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Generally Computer-Based (Paper-Based where computer based
testing not available)NOTE: GRE has a subject test requirement for particular grad
school programs.
Dental Admission Test (DAT)Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)Law School Admission Test (LSAT)Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Overview http://www.ets.org/gre GRE test scores provide graduate schools an objective and common
measure for evaluating applicants The GRE General Test focuses on the types of skills that have been
identified as critical for success in graduate and business school, such as verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing — skills that are not limited to a specific field of study, but critical to all of them
The GRE Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in specific fields of study
FREE study materials: https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Duration - 3 hours and 10 minutes (or at least 3 hours and 25 minutes including the tutorial, breaks, unscored and research) to complete the GRE
Graduate Record Exam
Analytical Writing Analyze an Issue
Analyze an Argument
30 minutes
30 minutes
Verbal Reasoning (two sections) 20 questions (per section) 30 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning (two sections) 20 questions (per section) 35 minutes
Unscored Varies Varies
Research Varies Varies
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Sections Verbal Reasoning – test your ability to analyze and draw conclusions from
discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify author's assumptions and/or perspective; understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative and author's intent, select important points; distinguish major from minor or relevant points; summarize text; understand the structure of a text, and understand the meanings of words, sentences and entire texts; understand relationships among words and among concepts
Quantitative Reasoning – tests your ability to understand quantitative information, interpret and analyze quantitative information, solve problems using mathematical models, and apply basic mathematical skills and elementary mathematical concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, probability and statistics
Analytical Writing – test your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, examine claims and accompanying evidence, support ideas with relevant reasons and examples, sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion, and control the elements of standard written English
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Scoring The verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning measures are section-level
adaptive which means the computer selects the second section of a measure based on your performance on the first. Within each section, all questions contribute equally to the final score For each of the two measures, a raw score is computed The raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly.
The raw score is converted to a scaled score through a process known as equating
The verbal reasoning section has a scaled score range of 130 – 170, in 1-point increments
The quantitative reasoning section has a scaled score range of 130-170, in 1-point increments
The analytical writing section is a scaled score of 0 – 6, in half-point increments
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Fees$205 for the exam with additional fees for late registration,
date reschedule and test center changesETS offers a limited number of GRE® Fee Reduction
Certificates on a first-come, first-served basis that are available for college seniors and unenrolled college graduates who meet eligibility requirements
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Presentation Notes
50% off the test Must go through UAlbany’s financial aid office to obtain certificate UAlbany students have access to various online resources preparing for a range of graduate entrance exams, such as the GRE, MCAT, and LSAT at https://www.albany.edu/hets.
When to Take GREs
Keep in mind that scores will not be sent to graduate schools immediately.
Paper-based tests - scores are sent within 4-6 weeks of the test. Computer-based test - scores are sent within 10-15 days. On the day of the test you can request your scores be sent to four
different graduate programs free of charge, but requests made at other times are $27.
Scores are reportable for five years following your test date.
2. Transcripts
Include all official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work (even if you did not receive degree).
Official transcripts should be sent directly to school (follow application directions).
Request transcripts early enough to arrive to graduate program by application deadline.
Be aware of costs associated with requesting official transcripts.
3. Letters of Recommendation
3 letters of recommendation for each school
Make a list of potential references Generally focus on faculty recommendations MBA programs - seek references from both employers and
faculty Give your writers 4-6 weeks notice to write letter; aim to get
letters back at least one month before application deadline
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Start collecting letters of recommendation early. You know you’ll need recommendations, but you may not realize how long it takes to get them written by professors. You may want to ask for more than you’ll need in case someone doesn’t come through. You have the right to request non-confidential recommendations, but admissions committees find confidential ones more credible. Be sure you really know who you’ve asked to write your letters. Professors generally want to help you get in, but occasionally someone will submit a less than flattering letter. If you have reason to believe that you may not get a glowing letter from a professor or other staff member, DO NOT ask them to write one. Get recommendations from appropriate authors, generally professors in your field of study and in some cases a counselor, advisor or supervisor. Read the applications carefully for directions in this area.
Letters of Recommendation
Choose people who can speak in detail about your work/work ethic desire to learn & succeed your academic/professional capabilities, and maturity
Schedule appointment with references to discuss schools of interest. Give them a copy of your resume & personal statement. Make suggestions about which skills they should highlight in
their letter.Send thank you notes and keep them updated.
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Ask the individual who knows you better and can write a more in-depth recommendation. Ideally, professors, associate professors, or assistant professors who have taught you in more than one class. It’s important to get to know your professors, so they can write letters for you. In the Arts & Sciences it is essential that you have letters which address your intellectual abilities and your potential for research. At least some of these must be from faculty members, preferably in departments which are clearly and closely related to your proposed field of study.
4. Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose
Be direct, honest and sincereDon’t repeat resume; give meaning to resumeAdmission committees are interested in: Clarity of your research interests. Your unique story – tell a story only you can tell. Steps you have taken to build expertise. Your short-term and long-range goals. Why this university is your top choice. Whether you know about their program focus. Make
sure your goals and research interest align with those of their faculty.
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Most applications will ask you to write a personal statement or statement of purpose. There may be a question like "Is there anything more you would like us to be aware of?" or "Are there factors that make you a unique applicant?" There is no formula for writing your essay. You must experiment to find the approach that introduces you most effectively. Before you begin your statement, read the essay directions carefully. Graduate and professional programs require different kinds of essays. For professional study: You may wish to write about an event that strongly influenced or matured you. Do you have a unique reason to pursue graduate work? Is there some part of your background that you didn’t describe in detail in the application? What else about you needs to be said? Capture the reader's imagination. Don't bore a committee with details of a research project, but focus on who you are as a result of your involvement with it. Don't repeat information already discussed in your application. You may also include a resume to present a more detailed history. For graduate study in sciences: Personal statements for these programs should be less personal than those for professional study. You will be assessed primarily on your intellectual strengths and aptitude for research. Make sure that your essay reflects both. In discussing your interest in a field, give the intellectual rather than purely personal reasons which attract you to it. If you know the research interests of faculty in the department (and you should if you are applying), discuss your interest in that area of study. PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! In the age of computers with spell and grammar check, there is no excuse for typos or misspelled words. That said, you should also double check your work by hand because the grammar check often makes mistakes, or doesn’t catch everything.
5. CV/Résumé/Writing Sample/Portfolios
Some programs may require the following: Curriculum Vitae (CV): "the course of one's life" is a concise
overview of your educational and scholarly background and accomplishments as they relate to your academic career goals.
Résumé: is primarily for business, government, nonprofit and administrative positions, brief summary of education, skills and experience that focuses on what's important to employers.
Writing Samples: may be required if the program involves writing and research.
Portfolios: showcase your creative work and/or your writing projects.
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It is important that your vitae reflect your interests, as well as highlight your particular teaching and research strengths. There are general standards for an academic CV but there are some variations across disciplines. When to use a CV Admission to grad school or for a GA or TA position Grant proposals Teaching, research, and upper-level administrative positions in higher education Academic departmental and tenure reviews College or university service appointments Professional association leadership positions Speaking engagements Publishing and editorial review boards Research and consulting positions School administration positions at the superintendent, principal, or department head level
6. The Application
Review all application requirements and make a list of deadlines. Deadlines as early as November, More competitive the school, the earlier the deadline.
Apply as early as possible within the application period. Often earlier deadlines for funding. Some schools review on rolling basis.
Familiarize yourself with all instructions before applying.
Pay attention to details.
Questions?
Soha Acosta, MAAssociate Director of Recruitment and
Int’l AdmissionsThe Graduate School, UAB 121
Thank you!
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