Transcript Document

How to Go to Graduate School
Biology Dept., Saint Louis University
Dr. Downes & Dr. Nordell
What is graduate school?
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Graduate school is training in
research
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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?
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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?
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Graduate school is preparation
for careers including:
industrial research
 government research
 academic research
 teaching
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Teaching is the ultimate destiny for
any knowledge if it is to be
preserved and expanded.
What is graduate school?
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Graduate school is the pursuit of a
Master’s or Doctoral Degree
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Master of Science (M.S.)
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Doctor of Philosophy in Science (Ph.D.)
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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?
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Graduate school requires intense
commitment of time and resources.
Ability to work independently is a
requirement!
Good reasons to apply:
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Professional development/ career goals
 Teaching, research, industry
Intellectual curiosity
Bad Reasons to apply:
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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
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Grades and GRE’s
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Minimum 3.0 GPA
Score well on the Graduate Record
Examination (www.ets.org)
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Measures:
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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)
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Computer-based test scores reported
within 3 weeks
Paper-based test scores reported within
4-6 weeks
BEFORE Applying to Graduate School
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Gaining Experience
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Start doing actual science early!
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Lab courses
Real hands-on research experience
Find faculty with research that interests
you
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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
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St. Louis University Tribeta Biology Club
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Just Earth (mailto:[email protected])
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SLU Alpha Epsilon Delta
Applying to Graduate School
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Choose an area of research
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What interests you?
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Topics in courses
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Career Info
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Select an institution
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Peterson’s Guide to Graduate Schools
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www.petersons.com/GradChannel
Gradschools.com
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http://www.gradschools.com/Subject/Biology-General/43.html
Scientific society within discipline
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Animal Behavior Society
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http://www.asm.org/Education/index.asp?bid=1214
American Physiological Society
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http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSEducation/programs-in-animalbehavior/ProgramsAnimalBehavior-Oct2007.pdf/view
American Society for Microbiology
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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
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mid January or earlier
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http://www.pitt.edu/~biohome/Dept/Frame/applytograd
uateschool.htm
Applying to Graduate School
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Select potential advisors
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Find specific faculty members
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Do your homework
Check their web site/ Read their
scientific publications
Contact the potential advisor
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do early – before applying!
Tell them:
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why you are writing
why you find their research interesting
Are accepting any graduate students?
Research assistantship or teaching
assistantship available?
Send them your:
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Curriculum Vitae
Applying to Graduate School
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Curriculum vitae
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Undergraduate degree and date expected
List of science (& related) courses and grades
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GRE scores
Research experience
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Science and non-science GPA
In class/lab & in research lab
Work experience
References (these are important!)
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Provide them with pertinent information to provide
an accurate reflection of your abilities (see next
slide)
Applying to Graduate School
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Letters of Recommendation (positive?)
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Request and discuss in person
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Provide all forms, stamped and addressed envelopes
Remind them of their interactions with you
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Academic information
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Be specific
Academic strengths & weaknesses
Personal characteristics
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Names and numbers and grades for courses & GPA
Test scores, academic awards, etc.
Research & work experience
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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
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Letter of Intent
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Your goals/ intentions
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Your research interests
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Why do you want to go to graduate school?
State clearly (not vague generalizations)
Sell yourself!
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Describe your qualities and experiences that
make you unique and prepared
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Grades, research experience, internships,
work experience, maturity, extracurricular
experience as it relates to graduate school,
motivation
Applying to Graduate School
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Interviews
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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
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Fellowships for graduate study
leading to research-based master’s
or doctoral degrees
Can apply your senior year!
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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