GETTING INTO HIGHLY COMPETITIVE GRADUATE SCHOOLS

VIDEOCONFERENCE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2002

AT OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE, LOS ANGELES


Offered by: University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Hosted by: Occidental College Career Development Center
Presenters: Mr. Donald Asher, nationally known speaker and author on careers and
higher education.
Mr. Tom Rochon, Executive Director of the GRE Program at Educational
Testing Service.

NOTES:

Graduate school increases knowledge, competitiveness in the job market, income.
The unemployment rate for PhDs is 0.8%. Those who cannot find positions in academia
are forced into other careers where they earn significantly higher income.

Resources:
Graduate Admissions Essays, Donald Asher.
From College to Career: Entry-Level Resumes for Any Major From Accounting
to Zoology, Donald Asher.

Examples of highly competitive grad school programs by admission rates:
Most schools = 1 in 2
MBA = 1 in 2
Medical school= 1 in 3
Psychology = 1 in 20
Harvard Med = 1 in 30


STEPS:

I. Determine Your Target Programs.
By subject area and degree sought.
Have backups in case you are not accepted to where you had planned.

II. Identify 20 grad programs that meet your needs, coast to coast.
Students tend to look near home or where others have recommended.
It is most likely that you are not aware of the program that is best for you.

How to find them:
Speak with professorsthose you know and those you dont know.
Speak with students and alumni.
- 2 -
Petersons Guides (boring but are complete).
Specialty guides.
Review academic journals in your field.
Where do authors of articles teach?
Where were authors and co-authors trained?
Grad school fairs.

Research-Doctorate Programs in the United States: Continuity and Change,
Marvin L. Goldberger
Educational Rankings Annual 2002: Over 4400 Rankings and Lists on Education,
Compiled from Educational and General Interest Published Sources, Lynn C.
Hattendorf Westney (Editor). Reference only, costs $300.

www.petersons.com
www.gradschools.com
www.gradschool.about.com
www.ulinks.com

III. Thoroughly Investigate These Possible Programs.
Look at faculty bios and writings (check the college website).
Where did the faculty matriculate?
What research specialties are offered?
Have they received recent honors and awards? If so, that may mean they have
opportunities and are seeking new students.
What is the admission rate?

Separate your 20 possible programs into three categories:
1- Safe (ones you are certain you could get into)
2- Probable/Maybe
3- Its going to be a reach
Apply to 2 schools in each category (to overcome slip ups and errors in the
application/admission process. They will accept no excuses, even if its their
fault.)

IV. Application and Deadlines.
Hit the 1
st
or 2
nd
application deadline, never the 3
rd
(a waste of money).
Always apply 30-90 days early.

3 Ways to Stand Out.
1. Write to professors, get their attention and interest.
Email once a week for 2 weeks.
Then US Mail.
Then make a phone call.
Be persistent but not a pest.
When you contact them,
Ask for program clarification.
- 3 -
Comment on something they have written.
Propose an area for further study.
Say, I have long admired your work

2. Visit the program.
Especially if you are a borderline student.
Find the professor who you can make a connection with on subject
matter, expertise, interests, etc.
3. Submit samples of your work.
Always check with your professors first to be sure it is a good/strong
representation of academic accomplishment.

Never write, call or visit any professor without having read some of his work!

Levels of Financial assistance (sweet money!)
1. Teaching assistantship (requires very good grades)
2. Research assistantship (requires very good research skills)
3. Graduate assistantship
4. Fellowships and grants (available both big and small)
5. Waiver of tuition (for gifted or special students?)
6. Loans (can get $18,000 per year easily).

www.finaid.org
www.fastweb.com

Admission Decisions are based on:
Grades (very important in law school)
Scores (on GRE, etc) (very important in law school)
Essay (important in all programs)
Recommendations, references (important for research & engineering)
Work Sample (important for research & engineering)
Interview

1. Grades.
Mention them in your essay.
If weak early in college and improved, say that (have increased year to year).
Where there is a problem, it must be in the past, resolved and sympathetic.

2. Scores.
GRE www.gre.org
GMAT www.gmat.org
LSAT www.lsat.org
MCAT www.aamc.org
DAT
(more)

- 4 -
GRE Preparation (by Mr. Rochon)

GRE is the one standard by which to compare all applicants.
Important that your score reflect your true capabilities.
Consists of General Test of Reasoning, and Subject Tests in 8 fields.
Take even if you are not required to; then send in only if good.

Test areas:
Quantitative (high school math principles)
Verbal (inferences from passages)
Analytical Writing
45 minutes; choice of 2 topics
Critique of an argument (do not advocate your position, critique what is
there.)

GRE PowerPrep Program
Can download from website for free when register for the test.
GRE Diagnostic Service = $15. See how you perform on a sample test.

Tips for taking the test:
Manage your time overall.
Organize thoughts, prepare outline.
Take practice tests.
GRE: Practicing to Take the General Test, by Educational Testing Service.

3. Essay.
Graduate Admission Essays, by Asher.
Use graduate-level language to describe undergraduate projects.
Put the name of your target school and its professors into your essay.
(Requires useful research efforts on your part and makes a connection
with the faculty.)
Example: In reading the works of Drs. ________, _______ and ________, I
was impressed that
Sometimes, being personal makes you interesting. (Tell of a struggle,
success, etc.)
Quote favorable comments made to you by your professors or mentors,
experts in your field.
Tell what you are going to do between the time you apply and are admitted to
enhance your professional standing.
Cover and overcome any weaknesses in your history.
Dont be arrogant.
Assure that the question Why are you here is answered.
(What is attractive: professors, labs?)
Dont try to be funny looks immature.
Write with confidence; predict success!
- 5 -
Statement of your mission or vision. How will your education make an
impact on the world?
Proofread until perfect.

4. Faculty Letters of Recommendation.
Meet with faculty first.
Ask gently if they are comfortable writing a strong recommendation for you.
Give them an out. You dont want a tepid recommendation.
Take with you your transcript, resume, talking points. Give them information
they can use in your favor and making it a personal, meaningful letter.
Give sufficient time to write (4 6 weeks). Remind them once a week.

5. Work Sample.
Get faculty review and approval to ensure what you are going to submit is
worthy and your best.

6. Interview.
Be prepared to respond to:
Have you read any good books lately?
Why are you here?
Where else are you applying?
Which is your first choice for a program?
What will you do if you do not get in anywhere?
What are your academic weaknesses?
What are your post-academic plans?


If you are not accepted anywhere:
1. Apply earlier next time.
2. Apply to more schools.
3. Apply to more safe schools.
4. Visit and wow them next time.
5. Take summer school classes at your target school.
6. Start taking one class at a time, even if not for credit.
7. Volunteer or intern for your school or in your target area.
8. Take a real job in your field.
9. Seek an intermediate degree.
10. Try again when you are older.


Q & A:
You can seek an advanced degree in a different area than your major. Check
prerequisites.
International students will be well-received, considered as domestic if they graduated
from a US college. Dont qualify for federal loans, however.
Graduate programs like older students; they add much. Average age is now 29.