Transcript Document
How to Go to Graduate School
Biology Dept., Saint Louis University
Dr. Downes & Dr. Nordell
What is graduate school?
Graduate school is training in
research
Research = discovery of the unknown.
Are you an explorer?
Do you like to think creatively?
Are you eager to make a unique
contribution to the world during your
lifetime?
Are these things as important to you as
a high salary?
A career in research can be very profitable,
but if that is the only motivation it is likely to
be disastrous.
Do what you love. The rest will take care of
itself.
What is graduate school?
Graduate school is preparation
for careers including:
industrial research
government research
academic research
teaching
Teaching is the ultimate destiny for
any knowledge if it is to be
preserved and expanded.
What is graduate school?
Graduate school is the pursuit of a
Master’s or Doctoral Degree
Master of Science (M.S.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Science (Ph.D.)
2 year commitment
Research & writing
Industry or research technician, high school
education,
4-6 year commitment
Extensive research & writing
academics, research
Post-Doctoral Position
Why go to Graduate School?
Graduate school requires intense
commitment of time and resources.
Ability to work independently is a
requirement!
Good reasons to apply:
Professional development/ career goals
Teaching, research, industry
Intellectual curiosity
Bad Reasons to apply:
Not sure what else to do
Don’t feel ready for a job
Waiting to get into medical school
Looking for expanded undergraduate education
BEFORE Applying to Graduate School
Grades and GRE’s
Minimum 3.0 GPA
Score well on the Graduate Record
Examination (www.ets.org)
Measures:
Verbal reasoning (scale is 200-800)
Quantitative reasoning (scale is 200-800)
Critical thinking
Analytical writing (scale is 200-800)
General
Biology
Many dates (can take at SLU)
Computer-based test scores reported
within 3 weeks
Paper-based test scores reported within
4-6 weeks
BEFORE Applying to Graduate School
Gaining Experience
Start doing actual science early!
Lab courses
Real hands-on research experience
Find faculty with research that interests
you
Biology Dept. Research Opportunities
Examine faculty research on web
E-mail faculty
request meeting about doing research
during their office hours or by
appointment
Discuss research & commitment required
Join a scientific student organization
St. Louis University Tribeta Biology Club
Just Earth (mailto:[email protected])
SLU Alpha Epsilon Delta
Applying to Graduate School
Choose an area of research
What interests you?
Topics in courses
Career Info
Select an institution
Peterson’s Guide to Graduate Schools
www.petersons.com/GradChannel
Gradschools.com
http://www.gradschools.com/Subject/Biology-General/43.html
Scientific society within discipline
Animal Behavior Society
http://www.asm.org/Education/index.asp?bid=1214
American Physiological Society
http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSEducation/programs-in-animalbehavior/ProgramsAnimalBehavior-Oct2007.pdf/view
American Society for Microbiology
http://www.emporia.edu/biosci/carebiol.htm
http://www.the-aps.org/education/edu_grad.html
Talk with SLU Biology faculty members/ mentor/ advisor
Get application form& deadlines
mid January or earlier
http://www.pitt.edu/~biohome/Dept/Frame/applytograd
uateschool.htm
Applying to Graduate School
Select potential advisors
Find specific faculty members
Do your homework
Check their web site/ Read their
scientific publications
Contact the potential advisor
do early – before applying!
Tell them:
why you are writing
why you find their research interesting
Are accepting any graduate students?
Research assistantship or teaching
assistantship available?
Send them your:
Curriculum Vitae
Applying to Graduate School
Curriculum vitae
Undergraduate degree and date expected
List of science (& related) courses and grades
GRE scores
Research experience
Science and non-science GPA
In class/lab & in research lab
Work experience
References (these are important!)
Provide them with pertinent information to provide
an accurate reflection of your abilities (see next
slide)
Applying to Graduate School
Letters of Recommendation (positive?)
Request and discuss in person
Provide all forms, stamped and addressed envelopes
Remind them of their interactions with you
Academic information
Be specific
Academic strengths & weaknesses
Personal characteristics
Names and numbers and grades for courses & GPA
Test scores, academic awards, etc.
Research & work experience
Course number and semester and grade
Concrete examples of your dependability, intellectual
capabilities & critical thinking skills, initiative, written &
oral communication skills, interpersonal skills
Gentle reminders of timeline
Applying to Graduate School
Letter of Intent
Your goals/ intentions
Your research interests
Why do you want to go to graduate school?
State clearly (not vague generalizations)
Sell yourself!
Describe your qualities and experiences that
make you unique and prepared
Grades, research experience, internships,
work experience, maturity, extracurricular
experience as it relates to graduate school,
motivation
Applying to Graduate School
Interviews
Be prepared
Know faculty research interests
Ask to meet graduate students
Do one or more faculty have research
programs that interest you?
Meet with each of them
Quality of library resources
Are more than one faculty are active in
your research field of interest?
Send thank you!
National Science Foundation
Graduate Research Fellowships
Fellowships for graduate study
leading to research-based master’s
or doctoral degrees
Can apply your senior year!
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.j
sp?pims_id=6201
Due in early November
Based on academic achievement,
reference letters, GRE scores,
research proposal