Nuts & Bolts
What is Grad School?
You will learn to: research a specific topic and become an expert on it, communicate your findings, teach college students, write grants, and mentor
The month most grad school applications are due
December
What are some qualities of a strong application
research experience, curiosity and well defined interests, reasons to work with a specific advisor, resilience
see how to apply video for more!
Do all grad programs have guaranteed Funding
NO
Name three broad categories often found in degree requirements
1. Classes, 2. Thesis/Dissertation, 3. Teaching
What are the different types of graduate programs?
Masters and Ph.D., Check out the Nuts & Bolts video to learn about the differences!
what is the first and most important step to the grad school timeline?
Finding and contacting potential advisors, establishing a good connection with them, and getting their support for your application
These initial conversations/interviews are often very informal
What are the three written statements you will need to prepare?
1) statement of purpose (personal statement)
2) diversity statement
3) research statement
we will go into detail about what these are in the coming weeks
What are the four main ways grad students are funded?
A Teaching Assistantship (or Teaching Associate (TA)), Research Assistantship, Grants, Fellowships
What are the major milestones of a thesis or dissertation?
Coursework Exams (aka prelims), Proposal (aka Qualifying Exam, written and oral), Written Thesis (publication requirement?), Thesis Defense (an oral presentation)
Designing a project, surveying the literature, applying for funding, collecting data, analyzing data (often coding), writing and publishing papers, presenting at conferences
When should you begin searching for an advisor
The summer before you apply at the absolute latest, think June if you plan to apply in December
what does CV stand for, what does it contain?
Curriculum vitae, your educational, research, volunteer, and teaching (if you have taught) background.
What is the difference between a grant and a fellowship/stipend.
Fellowships and Stipends fund you and your living expenses
What is the average number of chapters (or publications) for a dissertation
Name the three common types of research project
2. Lab - Based Research 3. Field - Based Research
when might you be invited to interview in person and who can you expect to meet with?
Usually early spring, February. You will meet with your potential PI, other faculty, current grad students. These meetings are not formal attire interviews, but are important opportunities to show off who you are and clearly state your interests and familiarity with your PIs research.
How many letters of recommendation should you be prepared to ask for?
3 letters, ask for letters a month ahead of the application deadline, tell the writers the application is due a few days before it actually is
Name some common places to find fellowships and grants
Internally (fellowships specific to your university), NSF, Fulbright, AAUW, USDA NIFA, NOAA, academic societies.
What is the average number of years spent working towards a Masters versus a Ph.D in the United States?
Master's 2-3 yrs
Ph.D 5-7 yrs
What is the "University Structure"
When is a good time to talk to current grad students? What should you ask about?
Before (also during and after), submitting an application, ask about what they would change about their advisors mentoring style, their program, their overall experience in *insert city/town*
The statement in which you might discuss a change in academic pathway or interests, such as a switch from pre-med to ecology
Personal Statement, Statement of Purpose
What time of year are most grant and fellowship applications due? Bonus! What application materials will you likely need to submit
Most fellowships and grants are due in the fall, right around the same time grad school apps are due.
You will likely need a CV, a research statement, a personal statement, (possibly a separate diversity statement), letters of recommendation, sometimes transcripts.
How many hours a week do grad students spend doing research/teaching