Transcript Workshop: Gear-Up for Grad School Writing for Graduate School

Workshop: Gear-Up for Grad School
Writing for Graduate School
Presented by
Tod Roberts, Instructor of English
USF Sarasota-Manatee, Room C-203
June 12, 2010
This presentation will be available for download here:
http://www.todroberts.com/USF/grad-school.htm
Today’s Topics
• Your Application Statement
• Sample essay instructions
• What readers need from you
• Delivering the right message
• Analysis of sample statement
• Writing for Graduate Courses & Degrees
• How does it differ from undergraduate work?
• What do professors expect?
• How do you meet those expectations?
• What should you know now about writing theses and
dissertations?
• Helpful resources
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 1 of 10
Sample Essay Instructions
FROM USF SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
(http://socialwork.usf.edu/msw/admissions/)
The written statement should be approximately 750 words, typed, doublespaced, and must be submitted with the School of Social Work’s application.
Please include: how your life experiences, including those relating to human
diversity, have led you to an interest in the social work field; your reasons and
readiness for pursuing a graduate degree; and an assessment of your strengths
and weaknesses. In addition, you should describe any experiences that you
have had, either voluntary or paid, in working with people.
FROM USF DEPT OF PSYCHOLOGY
(http://psychology.usf.edu/grad/admission/personalstate.aspx)
Please describe your research experiences, explaining the purpose of the
studies in which you were involved, your contributions to this research, and
the skills you gained. Connect these and other experiences to your current
research interests and to your future career goals. In your statement,
explicitly state the concentration(s) to which you are applying (Cognition,
Neuroscience, Social Psychology, Interdisciplinary Program in
Speech/Language/Hearing) and the CNS faculty member(s) with whom you
wish to work.
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 2 of 10
What Readers Need From You
• Conciseness: you have 20 seconds to grab the reader
• Command of message: everything you write should ...
• Convince your reader that you deserve to be admitted
• Excel in logic, organization, and clarity
• Show why you should be chosen over another applicant
• Adherence to instructions
• Content varies from one school or program to another
• Where directions are vague, be concise but creative
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 3 of 10
Delivering the Right Message
• Message: “I am a strong applicant because ...”
• I will repay the school’s (and/or taxpayers’)
investment in my degree many times over through my
career in _________
• I have proven my ability through _________
[undergraduate academic record, work history, personal
character, and ?]
• Message: “I am well prepared to succeed”
•
•
•
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I have shown an ability to set and reach a goal
I can handle stress and a demanding workload
I am intellectually capable
I will contribute to the profession and to society through
______ [research, teaching, _______ ?]
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 4 of 10
Sample Application Statement (430 words)
Writer begins with
sharp focus on
answer to main
question -- why
graduate school?
Why me?
Now he moves to
more specific
explanation of
vocational and
intellectual interest
in advanced study.
At end of paragraph,
he shows knowledge
of his field and
presents details
about future plans
based on graduate
degree.
Source: http://education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/articles/grad/gradessaysecrets.html
I have been planning a career in geological sciences for
several years, but as an undergraduate I concentrated on
getting a solid background in math and science. After
graduation, I took a job to allow myself time to think through
my plans thoroughly and to expose myself to a variety of
work situations. This strategy has been valuable to me in
rounding out my career plans.
During the past 18 months I have had first-hand experience
with computers in various business applications. This has
stimulated me to think about ways in which computers could
be used for scientific research. One idea that particularly
fascinates me is mathematical modeling of natural systems,
and I think those kinds of techniques could be put to good
use in geological science. I have always enjoyed and been
strong in areas that require logical, analytical thought, and I
am eager to combine my interest in earth science with my
knowledge of, and aptitude for, computer-related work. There
are several specific areas that I have already studied that I
think would lend themselves to research based on computing
techniques, including mineral phase relations in igneous
petrology and several topics in structural geology.
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 5 of 10
Sample Statement (cont.)
I have had both lecture/lab and field courses in structural
geology, as well as a short module dealing with plate tectonics,
and I am very interested in the whole area. I would like to
explore structural geology and tectonics further at the graduate
level. I am also interested in learning more about geophysics. I
plan to focus on all these areas in graduate school while at the
same time continuing to build up my overall knowledge of
geology.
Next, the writer presents
concise summary of
academic preparation
and knowledge of how
to apply this learning.
My ultimate academic goal is to earn a Ph.D., but enrolling first
in a master's program will enable me to explore my various
interests and make a more informed decision about which
specific discipline I will want to study in depth. As far as longterm plans go, I hope for a position at a university or other
institution where I can indulge my primary impulse, which is to
be involved in scientific research, and try my hand at teaching.
Logical explanation of
the intended progress
from master’s to Ph.D.
strengthens the message.
My decision to focus on math and science as an
undergraduate and to explore the computer industry after
college has equipped me with a unique set of strengths to offer
this program. The depth of my interest in geology has only
grown in my time away from academia, and although I have
identified several possible areas of specialization through prior
studies, I look forward to contributing my fresh perspective on
all subjects.
Closing paragraph sums
up and reiterates his
readiness for advanced
study. Writer concludes
with focus on what he
expects to contribute, not
gain.
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 6 of 10
Writing for Graduate Courses
• How does this differ from undergraduate
writing?
• Intensity (time, depth, intellectual level)
• Research (going beyond the superficial or
expected)
• Stricter format and documentation requirements
• Scholarly style, tone, structure
• What do professors expect?
• As an apprentice, you will be scrutinized for your
“professional fit” and “collegiality”
• Your stress tolerance will be frequently tested
• Gaps in knowledge can be forgiven, but not gaps
in intellectual ability
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 7 of 10
Writing for Graduate Courses (cont.)
• Meeting the expectations
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•
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Submit work on time
Control emotional / financial stress
Don’t take the hazing personally
Keep your eyes on the prize
• Theses and dissertations
• If you can write a complex seminar paper, you can
write a thesis or dissertation
• Break the task into manageable parts
• Choose a compatible advisor who has your
interests at heart (At the Ph.D. level, the
Germans call this person “your Doctor Father.”)
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 8 of 10
Helpful Resources: Personal Statement
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Grad school personal statement or application essay
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http://web.psych.washington.edu/writingcenter/writingguides/pdf/personal.pdf
http://www.elearners.com/guide-to-online-education/writing-your-graduate-schoolstatement.asp
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~writing/materials/student/tasks/graduate.shtml
http://www.quintcareers.com/graduate_school.html = offers sample essays and
instructions
http://gradschool.about.com/od/essaywriting/All_About_the_Graduate_Admissions_Essa
y.htm
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/gcallaghan/graduate/winningstatement.htm
http://departments.colgate.edu/diw/gradschool.html
https://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement.stm
http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/gradapp.html
DON'T WRITE LIKE THIS: Winners of "Bad Writing" Contest:
http://www.denisdutton.com/bad_writing.htm
http://www.donaldasher.com/books.php?pid=gae.book
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/642/01/
https://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement.stm = thorough and useful
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 9 of 10
Helpful Resources: Grad-School Writing
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Writing quality expectations for graduate students
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http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds1-2/advice1.html
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http://www.indiana.edu/~kruschke/lab/nibley.html
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http://www.essayforum.com/6_6273_0.html
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http://www.korepetycje.com/Essays_Articles/graduate-writing.html = GOOD SUMMARY
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Writing the academic paper: http://www-e.unimagdeburg.de/hkersten/WritingPapers/Writlink.htm
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http://tsenft.livejournal.com/366844.html = USEFUL
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http://writing-program.uchicago.edu/courses/grad.htm
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http://www.apa.org/apags/members/writing4pub.html
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http://iuace.wikidot.com/writing
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http://heibeck.freeshell.org/Grad_Advice/ (general, but does discuss dissertation)
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http://heibeck.freeshell.org/Grad_Advice/Letter_to_students.html#writing
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Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills -- A Course for Non-native
Speakers of English (English for Specific Purposes) (Paperback, 1994) by John M. Swales
(Author), Christine B. Feak (Author)
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Books on Writing for Grad Students: http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/books5.html
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Best writing practices for grad students: http://cnx.org/content/m14054/latest/
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Useful advice on how to prepare for the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT:
http://www.back2college.com/grepreparation.htm
Writing for Grad School / 12 June 2010 / Slide 10 of 10