Applying to Graduate School in the Sciences Note: This information provides an overview of the general process of applying to graduate schools. The specific details of the process and graduate programs themselves can, however, vary quite a bit among fields. For example, in some disciplines you would not apply to a graduate pro- gram until you have secured the support of an adviser, while in other fields you apply directly to a program and then select an adviser upon admittance. Given these important differences, make sure to speak with a faculty member in your field of interest as soon as possible.

Master’s or PhD? Master's programs, PhD programs are Once you’re in: in certain fields, pro- designed to give you A PhD and sometimes a Master’s require an in- vide a solid education extensive expertise in dependent research project. The level of inde- in a specialized area, a specialized field pendence and extent of the project are expected often in addition to and to train you for a to be much greater for a PhD than a Master’s. research experience. career as a professor Your years as a PhD student will also include an Some apply a Mas- or a researcher in ac- extensive qualifying exam and a dissertation ter’s degree directly to ademia, industry, or defense. Both degrees may include coursework, a career while others other organizations. although certainly less for a PhD. go on to earn a PhD.

Timeline: Timeline: 1-3 years 4-7 years

Choosing Graduate Programs How many? Applying to graduate schools can be time- are there faculty members whose research inter- consuming and expensive (application fees, ests you? For many types of science degrees transcript fees, campus visits). Create a list of you will need to directly contact a faculty mem- schools that includes at least two “reach,” two ber to see if they will be taking students in the “core,” and two “safety” schools. upcoming year and would be interested in being Which ones? your adviser. In some fields you instead apply to a program and then rotate through several Pick schools based on the type of programs professor’s labs before choosing an adviser. The they offer (Master’s and/or PhD), the field of school website will give you information on study, the facilities, the faculty, and to some how to go about applying. Finally, consider the extent the location. Find out what schools of- school’s location; is it somewhere you would be fer graduate degrees in your field (talk to cur- happy living while getting your degree? At the rent or former professors; look at same time, do not limit your search too much gradschools.com). If your research might re- based on geography. quire special habitat or equipment, determine if your research needs will be met. Most im- portantly,

The Application Process

Your application Tip: Don’t un- derestimate the As with college applications, time it could your graduate school application take you to get will include: your graduate school applica- • Application form and fees tions together. • Letters of recommendation The more time you give yourself, • Statement of purpose and CV the less anxious • Test scores (the GRE) a n d m o r e thoughtful you • Official transcripts will be during the process. The GRE — Graduate Record Examination

The GRE is a standardized test that may be able to take the GRE abroad many graduate schools use in eval- if needed. See the GRE website for uating applicants. You should plan more information on testing centers to take the GRE general test and dates. (quantitative, verbal and analytical) and possibly a subject GRE, if your Preparation options—take a prac- schools require it. You can take the tice test at your college (Contact your general test throughout the year at Career Services Center), get a GRE computer-based testing centers. preparation book, and potentially en- The subject tests are offered in pa- roll in a GRE prep course. per form, only three times a year (Oct, Nov and April). Finally, you Timeline— Junior Year/early Senior year (if taking a Gap year)

• Research careers, areas of inter- • Talk to faculty members, family, Tip: Junior year est, and graduate programs friends, or career services staff. Verbal- is a good time izing your ideas will help you evaluate • Register and prepare for the GRE. to start taking and solidify your career plans Take a practice test and potential- concrete steps ly a GRE test prep class. • Develop a calendar that includes GRE toward graduate dates, a GRE study plan, when to ask • Determine who will write your school. for letters, and the application deadlines letters of recommendation and for potential programs. give them plenty of advanced no- tice.

The Application Process

Timeline— Fall of Senior Year/Gap year

• Finalize the list of pro- uate student recruiting quired grams to which you weekends in the fall or will apply. spring. • Request official tran- scripts, complete your es- • If appropriate, identify • Obtain letters of recom- says and application faculty members that mendation from faculty forms, and submit your are accepting new stu- and/or professionals in applications! dents and would con- your field. sider being your advis- • Apply for graduate fellow- er. Visit the campus, • Take the GRE general ships. either by arrangement test if you did not take it or invitation. Some in the summer, and the schools also have grad- GRE subject test if re-

Timeline— Spring of Senior Year/Gap year

• Register for Graduate ate students. your recommenders. Tip You will need to & Professional Schools accept or decline • You will hear back Financial Aid Service any offers you are from schools in Febru- (GAPSFAS) or other made by April 15, ary and March, depend- needs analysis service, the national if required. ing on the application deadline. By April 15 acceptance deadline • Visit schools if you will need to either ac- for Graduate have not already, mak- cept or deny any offers. Schools. ing time to meet with both faculty and gradu- • Send thank you notes to

Funding Graduate School Most graduate programs should apply both before Science website for exam- in the sciences support and while you are a grad- ples of national graduate students as either a teach- uate student (i.e. National fellowships and talk to fac- ing assistant (TA) or a Science Foundation). Due ulty members in your field research assistant (RA). to recent budget cuts in for specific fellowship rec- This provides you with a many states being an in- ommendations. stipend, and the school state student, or having covers your tuition. There your own funding might are also graduate school improve your admission fellowships for which you chances. See the Keck

Do I need to know exactly Whom should I ask for what I want to study? letters of recommendation? While you do not need to know the exact topic The people you ask to write your letters of rec- of your PhD dissertation or Master's thesis be- ommendation should be those that know you best fore you apply, your statement of intent should in a setting relevant to graduate school. For ex- demonstrate that you have a well-informed in- ample, your senior thesis adviser, summer re- terest in a particular area. Completing your de- search mentors, or professors who had you in gree will require a great deal of enthusiasm for multiple courses, especially lab courses, are all your research topic, and what you specialize in excellent choices. Getting to know faculty mem- will shape you for a career. Give some quality bers well enough so that they can write you a thought to the direction you are planning to great letter is one of the many reasons to get in- take (that said, some do completely switch ca- volved in research as an undergraduate. Finally, reers after getting an advanced degree). Get- when you approach potential recommenders, ting research experience as an undergraduate is make sure to provide them with details about invaluable for exploring your interests, becom- each program to which you are applying, includ- ing skilled enough to be successful in graduate ing the letters’ due dates, as well as your CV and school, and makes you an attractive candidate. statement of intent.

Questions to ask potential Questions to ask current advisers graduate students In some fields (i.e. Env. Sci., Ecol. and Evol. When you visit a graduate program or the lab of Biology), you are required to identify an adviser a potential adviser, make time to talk to current prior to applying to the graduate program. Look graduate students. Ask them about their interac- at the websites of faculty members at particular tions with specific faculty members, how they schools and then create a list of professors are funded, how they divide their time between whose research most aligns with your interests. research and other duties (as a teaching assistant Contact those professors in the fall prior to the for example), and how many years most stu- year in which you want to begin graduate dents take to finish their degrees. Students are school. In your email identify specific aspects the ones to also ask about the cost and quality of of each professor’s work that appeal to you, living. While you should feel free to ask gradu- highlight some of your qualifications and ask if ate students most questions, also be aware that the professor will be taking students in the fall. they will most likely provide feedback about You are likely to pursue several dead-ends, you to your potential adviser or to the graduate since faculty may get many requests from per- admissions committee. spective students but only take on 1-2 new stu- dents, if any, each year.

For more information

All Keck Science Department faculty and many staff members have advanced degrees, so plan to speak to someone in your field before you begin your graduate school journey. Also see the Keck Science page on Graduate School Advising for more information: http://www.jsd.claremont.edu/students/gradschools.asp