prepareapplication

This checklist has links to webpages that provide information on the various components of the application process. You should download a hard copy for checking off the actual items. Click HERE to download PDF version Click HERE to download MS WORD version
CHECKLIST
____1. Choose the program that’s right for you.	The program I chose is______________
____2. I meet the admission criteria.
____3. I’ve checked the deadline.	The deadline is ____________________ (everything has to be physically in the Grad Admissions office).
____4. I’ve got these documents	___ Application Form ___ Application Fee ___Transcripts from ALL previous universities/colleges: ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ___At least 3 letters of recommendation: _______________________ (Academic) _______________________ (Teaching) _______________________ (Other) _______________________ (optional)

START EARLY--an unrushed application always presents your case better
This may sound strange, but we recommend getting your application together at least two months before the deadline--earlier if you can. It takes a while to assemble all the components, and giving yourself time to write a carefully crafted written statement and discuss your application with your reference letter writers will considerably enhance your application.

FIRST, CHOOSE THE PROGRAM THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

Did you see the notes on choosing the right program? Click here.

DO YOU MEET THE ADMISSIONS CRITERIA?
To apply for any of our MS programs, you must:

Have successfully completed a bachelors degree from an accredited institution.
Hold or have held a certificate of qualification for provisional/initial certification or permanent/professional certification that is required for the program of study you are applying for--this is very important, check here to see what you need.
Submit three satisfactory references (one of these must address the candidate's academic abilities and/or potential for graduate study; one must attest to the candidate's teaching abilities and/or potential; the third may attest to either academic or teaching abilities/potential, or to other aspects of the candidate's experiences or traits that are felt to enhance the application)*;
Make an appropriate written statement of professional and academic accomplishments and objectives, in response to the Department's questionnaire (see below).

*If you have difficulty in obtaining appropriate reference letters, consult the Department for advice.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN OUR APPLICANTS

We are looking for students who

1) have a college education with strong subject matter knowledge and a broad liberal arts background

2) demonstrate effective teaching skills

Think about these as you prepare your application, because we will be thinking about them when we review your folder.

Academic Record. We look carefully at your academic record to see what subject matter courses you have taken, and how well you have done in them. We don't just calculate the GPAs. We pay careful attention to the academic letters of reference. So take time to seek out professors and/or others who can write about your academic qualities, and how prepared you are for graduate study. If you've taken graduate-level courses, especially recently, obtaining letters from these instructors is very helpful. But what if you have an uneven record, or there are issues you think might hurt your chances? If you have these concerns, make sure they are addressed in your written responses to our questions. We do admit students who show they've overcome earlier difficulties, and we also take into consideration life experiences that have caused uneven academic results--but only if they are properly explained. And what if you have difficulty finding academic references? Consult the Reading Department about this. We prefer to hear from those who have direct knowledge of you as an undergraduate or graduate student, but we also recognize that sometimes it's very hard to locate such people and then to get them to write on your behalf.

Pedagogical Knowledge/Teaching Skills. We look at your academic record to learn how well you've done in methods courses (especially literacy-related but also in other areas). We also examine what you say about your teaching experiences to date. Make sure that at least one of your letters of reference speak to your teaching abilities. If you are currently teaching, one of these letters should come from someone who really knows about your teaching and can tell us about it. Supervising or mentor teachers make good referees, too. (Fellow teachers at the same tenure level as yourself aren't quite as good for reference letters; nor are colleagues whose contact with you has been minimal, or is largely social). Ask these letter-writers to really focus on your "demonstrated effective teaching skills." That's what we need to know about. You can also add comments about your teaching in the Written Statement (see below).

WRITTEN STATEMENT

Instead of the Statement of Background and Goals (on the regular application form), we ask you instead to complete a Written Statement (for details, see our Home Page, under "Current Information"--look for Reading Department Information Sheet).

Take your time with the written statement. We read your responses carefully, not only for what you say but also to learn how you express your thoughts in writing. There are no right answers. Be candid about your goals, experiences, and your own literacy abilities. Question 4 is particularly important if you are concerned about an uneven academic record, or if you haven't been able to find suitable academic references. We have very successful graduates of our program who had less-than-stellar academic records, especially early in their post-secondary education, but it's hard to judge the potential of an applicant who doesn't take the time to explain how they have overcome difficulties, and are now prepared for a challenging master's degree.

Last Updated: March 1, 2007