Preparing For Graduate School Cathy Greenberg - Graduate Admission
Agenda Where to Start Searching for a Graduate School Preparing for requirements Application Letters of Recommendation Statement of Purpose /Essay Resume Interview Arrange Campus Visits What Chapman Has to Offer
Searching for a Graduate School/Program Make a list of potential Schools and Programs to compare: What kind of program are they offering Master s degree, Ph.D., certification, dual degrees, etc. Quality of programs Requirements of application- Deadlines, specific experience, tests, etc. Reputation of school, program, and faculty Program job placement information Length of program Full-time vs. Part-time Financial Aid Location and cost of living
Prepare for Requirements Does the program require a test Test can include: GRE GMAT LSAT MCAT CBEST CSET Register early Schedule your exam before your application deadline Practice using review course or study material Have test score sent to each school applying www.ets.org www.gre.com www.gmac.com
Application Read thoroughly If possible complete a draft of each application Submit all materials required in advance of the deadline Make copies of all hard copy and electronic applications
Letters of Recommendation Ask a professor or individual that knows you well and can answer the questions best Make requests courteously Request more letters than you need Allow ample time for them to complete letters Let them know when you get accepted
Statement of Purpose/Essay Do s: Read the prompt Know your program Stay within the requested limits Be concise and to the point Remember your reader Be humbly boastful Be specific Don ts Using the same SOP for every university/program you apply Re-write your CV Have grammatical errors or typos
Interview Practice, Practice Understand purpose and how it fits with application requirements Current Resume Use examples Have at least two questions prepared regarding the program Be confident
Arrange Campus Visits Make appointments to meet admissions office representative and/or faculty member Create a list of questions Gather details about campus life Talk with current student or alumni
What Chapman Has to Offer Graduate Programs in: Business Film Education Science and Technology Humanities and Social Science Health and Behavioral Sciences Performing Arts Pharmacy Law 4+1 Programs www.chapman.edu/admission/graduate
Fellowship & Scholarship Opportunities
Boren Scholarships Undergraduates planning to study abroad in eligible world region E.g., Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East Program must include formal language study Must work for one year in national security position with the Federal Government upon return $20,000 full academic year Deadline: Early February
Critical Language Scholarships Open to all academic levels and disciplines Institutes for study of critical need foreign languages in host countries Examples: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Russian, Urdu Covers all program costs including travel, room and board, travel within country Deadline: Mid-November
Fulbright Grant Open to seniors, graduate students, recent graduates in all disciplines Purpose to promote cross-cultural understanding Full grant for graduate studies or research project in a foreign country English Teaching Assistantship for assisting a master teacher in a foreign country National Geographic Digital Storytelling Grant Covers transportation, living expenses, tuition generally $30,000 Deadline: Mid-October
Foreign Service Scholarships Payne, Pickering, and Rangel Awards Designed to support students interested in careers in the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer or Diplomat Fund graduate programs in International Affairs, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, etc. Up to $90,000 for two years of graduate study and internships Lead to placement as a Foreign Service Officer
Gates Cambridge Scholarship Aims to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others Covers all costs of graduate degree program at the University of Cambridge Looking for leadership potential and good academic fit with Cambridge Sponsored by Bill & Melinda Gates foundation Deadline: Mid-October
Humanity in Action Fellowship Month-long human rights fellowship program each summer Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris, or Warsaw Open to sophomores through recent graduates Learn and work collaboratively on human rights and social justice issues Covers all costs, including transportation & housing Deadline: Early January
Marshall Scholarships Seniors wishing to pursue a graduate degree in the United Kingdom; all disciplines Purpose to foster American and British relations Covers all expenses and fees, typically $30,000 or more May apply for one or two year scholarships Deadline: October 1
Rhodes Scholarship Seniors or alumni not yet 24 years old Open to all disciplines; high GPA required Purpose to encourage 2 years of study at Oxford University with goal to promote international understanding and service Covers all costs, including travel and fees 32 Americans chosen each year Deadline: Early October
Soros Fellowship Open to New Americans green card holder or child of naturalized citizens Seniors or recent graduates seeking graduate study at an American university Tuition and stipend support up to $90,000 over two years of study Deadline: Early November
Truman Scholarship Seniors with minimum GPA of 3.6 Wish to pursue graduate degree in any discipline at a U.S. university Dedicated to public service: required to work in public service for three of the seven years following graduation Only two awarded per state (home state) Up to $30,000 Deadline: Early February
Udall Scholarship Sophomore or Junior pursuing career in environmental field; supports current academic program in U.S. Open to U.S. citizens or Native Americans or Alaska Natives Seeks future leaders in wide range of environmental fields (policy, engineering, science, education, business, urban planning, etc.) $5,000 for tuition, room & board, fees Deadline: Early March