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Establishing
a
CDC Reference File
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Request
application materials from admissions offices at institutions
to which you are interested in applying and pay close
attention to admissions deadlines. The components
of a graduate school application all work together to provide
universities with a well-rounded view of an applicant.
Keep this in mind when developing your strategy for effectively "selling" yourself
to admissions committees. General information on common components
of the application follows, yet is subject to individual institution's
instructions.
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may be required to submit a departmental and a graduate school
application form. Make sure your application is typed and
free from errors. Consider making a copy and filling out
the form(s) as a trial run. Make copies of the finished form
for your records and in case your application package gets
lost in the mail. Send unfolded in a large envelope and consider
mailing via registered mail. It is a good practice to send
your application before recommendation letters are sent so
that a file is already set up for you at the prospective
university. |
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The admissions
exam(s) you will be required to take will differ depending
on your area of planned study. Consult individual programs
for their requirements. These exams are similar to the
SAT and usually assess quantitative, verbal, and problem-solving
abilities. Generally, for graduate school within the Arts & Sciences,
the General GRE (& sometimes
Subject) is usually required. For Law school, you
will need to take the LSAT.
For Medical school, the MCAT is
required. For Business, you will need to take the GMAT.
Take these exams well in advance to leave enough time for
scores to be reported promptly. The GRE & GMAT can
be scheduled throughout the year. The closest testing center
is as follows:
Prometric
Testing Center
855 Central Ave
Albany, New York 12206
(518) 438-6762
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least one (sometimes two) is usually required from each institution
you've attended - anywhere you have earned a degree or where
you have taken classes. Obtain these directly from the Registrar's
Office. You may want to request an unofficial transcript
ahead of time to examine for errors. Consult individual programs
for their preferences - some will require transcripts to
be sent directly; others may prefer transcripts to be sent
with other components of the application packet. Some institutions
will charge a fee for each transcript request. |
Letters
of Recommendation
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The
best letters come from those who know you well. Professors
in particular (unless you have been out of school for a number
of years, in which case letters from supervisors are acceptable)
are the best sources of information for admissions
committees, as they can attest to your past academic performance
and predict your success in graduate endeavors. Consider
professors with whom you have taken multiple classes or completed
an independent study. Ask professors at least two months in
advance if they will support your application by writing
a GOOD letter of recommendation for you. If they
are agreeable, present them with the appropriate recommendation
forms (if supplied by the prospective university), information
about your career goals, self-addressed stamped envelopes,
and any other information they may request to assist them
(i.e., transcript or writing samples). For universities requesting
confidential letters, consider establishing
a CDC Reference File, a for fee reference
file service for students and alumni. Most schools require
you to submit at least three letters. For additional information,
see:
 Hanover's
8 Steps to a Good Letter of Recommendation
Letters
of Recommendation
Graduate
Study in Psychology - Tips on letters |
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The
purpose of most personal statements is for admissions committees
to determine whether the program is a good fit for a particular
applicant & vice versa. The personal statement is an
opportunity for you to distinguish yourself from other
applicants beyond test scores and GPAs. Be prepared to
discuss your achievements thus far, your career goals,
and how that particular university's program will prepare
you to reach those goals. Keep in mind that you may be
competing with hundreds of other applicants for a small
number of open slots, so it is in your best interest to
be succinct yet present your uniqueness. For help with
your statement, you may wish to visit The
Writing Center in Humanities 140. For more detailed
instruction, see:
Preparing
Graduate School Application Essays - The Writing Center,
RPI
Writing
an Effective Personal Statement - especially but not
only for social work
Accepted.com
AdmissionsEssays.com -
some sections have fees, but has free writing tips
Writing
the Personal Statement
Graduate
Study in Psychology - Tips on essays (includes samples)
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institutions will request you to submit a copy of your current
resume. Some will request a "Curriculum Vita (CV)," or
simply "Vita." Both formats showcase your education & experience.
However, a CV is geared toward the academic community and
lists your earned degrees, teaching and research experience,
publications, presentations, and related activities. As previously
mentioned, admissions committees will receive several applications;
create your resume to be succinct and eye-catching yet professional.
Have a copy critiqued by one of our staff members. Refer
to the Resume section
of our main page as a guide or JobStar's Curriculum
Vitae page. |
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| Preparation
for graduate school admissions interviews follows the same
guidelines as preparing for a job interview. The most important
thing you should know is yourself. Similar to the
self-exploration necessary for composing your personal statement,
it's important that you have a firm grasp of your motivation
for graduate study and show your understanding of career
options. Present yourself as having done the research, both
on your program of proposed study and on yourself. For general
information on interviewing, consult our Interviewing
Information page, The
College Admissions Interview (geared toward undergraduate
admission, but still applicable) or Drew University's Interviews page.
Medical school candidates might consult www.interviewfeedback.com for
interview questions and advice from students who have completed
the interview process. |
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Applications
are usually due as early as February or March for Master's
programs, and December or January for Doctoral programs.
Be sure to check individual school's deadlines. Plan early!
JUNIOR
YEAR
Research
areas of interest
Determine
electives that might be helpful in applying to graduate school
Get
to know faculty who may be potential sources of letters of
recommendation
Acquire
research or field-related experience in your area of interest
Visit
the CDC for assistance in your graduate admissions pursuits
SUMMER
BEFORE SENIOR YEAR
Research
programs and universities and request application information
Visit
institutions of interest, if possible
Investigate
financial aid opportunities
Begin
saving money for application fees, interview expenses, & other
associated fees
Register & prepare
for admissions exams
SENIOR
YEAR
Ask
professors to write letters of recommendation (at least
2 months in advance);
supply with reference forms & transcripts
Request
transcript to be sent to all universities you are applying
to
Prepare
resume or curriculum vitae
Take
admissions exams & request scores to be forwarded to prospective
universities
Begin
writing first drafts of personal statements
Prepare
applications for mailing
Once
mailed, confirm that application packet has been received
Confirm
that letters of recommendations have been sent. Thank writers!
Prepare
for possible interviews
Accept
or decline admissions offers
Finalize
financial arrangements
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Anthony,
Rebecca & Roe, Gerald. The Curriculum Vitae Handbook:
How to Present and Promote Your Academic Career.
Asher,
Donald. Graduate Admissions Essays: Write your way into
the graduate school of your choice.
Jackson, Acy L. How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae.
McDaniels,
Carl. Developing a Professional VITA or Resume.
Peterson's. Peterson's
GRE Success.
Robinson,
Adam & Tallia, Rob. Cracking the LSAT 1999 (Princeton
Review)
Stelzer,
Richard J. How to Write a Winning Personal Statement
for Graduate and Professional School. (Peterson's Guides)
Stuart,
David & Kaplan Educational Center Staff. GRE/GMAT
Math Workbook.
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Contact
Career Development: (518) 437-4908 career@uamail.albany.edu
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