The Graduate School Application Process: Letters of Intent, Letters
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Transcript The Graduate School Application Process: Letters of Intent, Letters
The Graduate School Application Process:
Letters of Intent, Letters of Reference
Do’s and Don’ts: Avoiding the Kiss of
Death (KOD)
KOD concept:
Appleby, D. C. and Appleby, K. M. (2006). Kisses of Death in the
Graduate School Application Process. Teaching of Psychology 33(1),
19-24.
From a survey of graduate admissions committee chairs (N = 88),
the authors identified 5 categories of mistakes made by applicants.
These mistakes can potentially sink your application in the eyes of
an admissions committee.
KOD cont.
“ The ideal student, seen through the eyes of graduate faculty, is
Gifted and creative,
Very bright and extremely motivated to learn,
Perfectly suited to the program, eager to actively pursue the lines
of inquiry valued by the faculty,
Pleasant
Responsible
Devoid of serious personal problems. “
(Keith-Speigel & Wiederman, 2000, p.3 with format changes)
KOD cont.
Major KOD Categories:
a) Damaging personal statements
b) Harmful letters of recommendation
c) Lack of program information
d) Poor writing skills
e) Misfired attempts to impress
Damaging Personal Statements
Personal mental health
Excessive altruism
Excessive self-disclosure
Professionally inappropriate (e.g., letter printed on
“cute” paper; inappropriate/insensitive language, etc.)
Harmful Letters of Recommendation
Undesirable applicant characteristics
(anything suggesting the person is not intelligent, motivated,
pleasant, responsible)
Inappropriate letter writers (e.g., your next door neighbor,
your pastor, a work colleague who is not a supervisor, a family friend-even if that person is a psychologist, physician, mayor, or judge)
Lack of information about Program
Program focus (clearly not being familiar with the nature of
the program)
Fit into Program (wanting to be a part-time student when
the program is full-time; wanting to specialize in an area that is
not related to interests/expertise of any of the faculty, etc.)
Poor Writing Skills
Spelling and grammar
Poorly written application materials
Misfired Attempts to Impress
Being unduly critical of undergrad program or
overly praising program applying to
Name dropping, especially names of people not
professionally relevant.
General advice: Letters of intent
Avoid KOD factors
If in doubt about what a program is looking for, call and
ask
Have a friend proof for writing issues, but have your
advisor read for tone and content.
Give yourself enough time to let the letter sit for a few
days before doing final edits
Try to read it from the committee’s point of view
General Advice: Letters of Reference
Be thinking of “referees” early on
When at the point of needing letters, talk with potential
letter writers
Be organized, plan ahead and provide as much
information as possible
Periodically check with referees and remind them of
deadlines.
Let them know the outcome of your applications