Transcript Aqua Pattern Template - University of Notre Dame

Applying to Graduate
School in the Life
Sciences
University of Notre Dame
Why Enter a Doctoral Program?
• Because you want to do research
• The primary goal of doctoral programs is to train
researchers
• You want to pursue scholarly subjects in great
depth
• You want to make fundamental contributions to a
field
• Because you want to teach at the
college level
• A Ph.D. is required to be a professor at most
universities
Poor Reasons to Enter a
Doctoral Program
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You enjoy taking courses
You are not in a hurry to get a “real job”
You didn’t get in to med/vet/etc school
You are trying to improve your salary
The Graduate School Lifestyle:
Is it for you?
• Flexibility is everywhere
• Classes, projects, hours, vacations, location
• Supportive community of peers and mentors
• Travel opportunities
• Self-motivation is thus paramount
• A 60-80 hour work week is typical
• Without external deadlines, some flounder
Start Looking for Schools
• No later than the summer before you
apply
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Time consuming process
Courses or credits might be required
GRE exams require planning
Still time to cultivate recommenders!
Choosing Schools for
Application
• Narrow your interests
• Begin with advice from current profs
• Is there a professor doing work that
interests you? More than one?
• Prestige
• Size
• Based on geography (if necessary)
• Apply to about 10 schools
MAKE CONTACT
WITH FACULTY
BEFORE YOU
APPLY
The Easy Parts of the
Application
• Spend the time to get it perfect
• No misspelling, inaccuracies, missing info
• Tailor to each school
• The Graduate Record Exam
• Study for this exam!
• Take the summer before you apply
• The general test is universally required but the
subject tests are not always required
The “Statement of Purpose”
or Personal Essay
• This is your main chance to sell
yourself!
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Should be concise, helpful and specific
Cute essays in style of UG apps are reviled
Use names of each university & its faculty
Customize the research angle to program
Keep it short; their limit or ~2 pages
What (have you done), Why (are you interested),
Why (this school)?
• Get feedback from UG professors
Topics for the Essay
• Take their recommendations first!
• If program request is general:
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Your eventual career goal (AFTER the PhD!)
Field(s) of research that interest you and why
Your prior research experience (key)
A particular research question possibly
Discrepancies in your record (eg bad grades)
Letters of Recommendation
• Cultivate relationships and choose well
• Should be professors (not TAs or staff)
• Should know your course work and/or research
experience well (no “character” references)
• Supply writers with resume, statement, transcript,
and information on your career goals
• Organize materials carefully for ease of
recommenders
The “Kiss of Death” in the
Graduate Application Process
• Not doing your homework
• Applying to a program they don’t have
• Proposing to work with deceased faculty members
• Damaging personal statements
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Altruistic personal statements
Excessive self disclosure
Nonspecific research goals
Professional inappropriateness
Survey from IUPUI and Idaho State University faculty of 88 programs
The “Kiss of Death” in the
Graduate Application Process
• Academic problems
• Erratic grades; blaming others for poor performance
• Faulty letters of recommendation
• Inappropriate authors; disclosure of undesirable
personality characteristics
• Lack of writing skills
• Failure to proof; poor grammar or composition
• Misfired attempts to impress
• Name dropping
Summary
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Think deeply about your career & life goals
Start program research & applications early
Make contact with faculty before application
Study for the GRE exam
Produce a perfectly prepared application
Get input on your statement of purpose
Customize your applications
Cultivate recommenders and give them the
right tools
Departmental Statistics
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Currently 134 graduate students
Currently 45 faculty members
Student: Faculty ratio of ~3: 1
Over 40 post doctoral fellows
Close to 100% funding rate for Biology
faculty (extramural grants)
Biology ranks #1 at UND in amount of
extramural funding (~$20M per year)
Advantages of Our Program
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Excellent support package
Flexibility in coursework and research
Well funded and active laboratories
Excellent facilities
Many interdisciplinary opportunities
Collegial and interactive faculty & students
Low student:faculty ratio = interaction
How are Biology Students
Supported?
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Teaching Assistantships
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Research Assistantships
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Fellowships and Traineeships
Typically teach 1 lab per week
About 10-12 hr per week for all teaching duties
Research in your advisor’s laboratory
Often linked to your own graduate research
University Fellowships
Training Grants (IGERT, CBBIP, etc.)
National Fellowships (NSF, USEPA, DOD, AHA, etc.)
Level of Stipend Support
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$25,000 for 12 months in 2010-11
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Full tuition waiver provided
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Five years of support toward Ph.D.
$18,750 for academic year (9 months)
$6,250 for summer support (from grants typically)
Same for TAs or RAs, Ph.D. or M.S.
Some fellows have enhanced stipends (e.g., IGERT)
~$38,270 per year
Three years towards M.S.
Assumes adequate progress toward degree
Our Admission Criteria
• Research Experience
– Undergraduate research & summer
internships
– Emphasize in your application & letters
– Master’s degrees
• “Fit” with the Lab and Program
– Make contact with faculty before you apply
– Do your homework on research programs
– Make the case in your personal statement
More Admissions Criteria
• Letters of Reference
– Our favorite phrases:
• “intellectual curiosity” “great work ethic” “team
player”
• “excellent writer” “problem-solver” “self motivated”
• Undergrad Institution and GPA
• GRE scores
– General test required
– Subject tests optional but desirable
Graduate Recruitment Weekend
• 40-60 applicants visit at our expense
– 2 ½ days of activities (meals, tours, boring
talks)
• Faculty Interview Questions:
– What are your long-term goals?
– What areas of research interest you?
– What was your favorite undergrad class?
– What are your hobbies?
• Do your homework on the program &
faculty!
Predoctoral Fellowship Opportunities:
Extramural:
- NSF (GRFP)
- Private Foundations (American Heart Association, etc).
Intramural:
- internal endowment funds
- training grants
- university programs
University of Notre Dame