Graduate School Intro and Individual Development

Plans September 20, 2012

Choosing a Grad School

• Rankings• Faculty research!• Atmosphere

Overall Rankings

1. Caltech1. MIT1. University of California—Berkeley4. Harvard4. Stanford6. University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign7. Northwestern7. Scripps Research Institute7. University of Wisconsin—Madison

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/chemistry-rankings

Biochemistry Rankings

1. Harvard2. University of California—Berkeley3. University of California—San Francisco4. Scripps Research Institute5. University of Wisconsin—Madison6. MIT7. Stanford8. Caltech9. Yale10. University of California—San Diego

Whose research interests you?

• Adviser will be most important factor of your research experience…

• Choose schools with more than one faculty member whose research interests you.

Tips

• Apply to a variety of schools (don’t be afraid to apply to a great school!)

• Have back-up choices• Start gathering application materials early…

Application Requirements

• GRE/Chemistry GRE• Recommendation letters• Transcript• Personal statement• Previous research experience and/or interests

statement

Any time!

• Look into/begin doing undergraduate research.

• Consider doing a research program during the summer.

• Read journals and learn about research from faculty at other schools.

• Start working on your list of schools to apply to (ask faculty for help)

Senior Year

• October– request recommendation letters/transcripts– Register for GRE/chemistry GRE

• November– Take GRE (or earlier), chemistry GRE (October or November)

• October—Mar 1– Apply to schools (look at your choices’ deadlines)

• Jan/Feb– Hear back from schools

• Feb/March– Visit accepted schools

• April 15– Deadline to accept or decline

Visitation Weekend

• Travel/accommodations usually covered• Learn more about faculty research• Talk with current students• Atmosphere of the program!

Myths

• You have to know what area of chemistry you want to study.

• Grad school is expensive.• Applying to grad school is expensive.• You should visit schools before you apply.• You have to have a great score on the

chemistry GRE.• If you want a masters, you should apply to a

masters program.

Individual Development Plan

The specific objectives of a typical IDP:

• Identify specific skills and strengths that you need to develop (based on

discussions with your mentors). Mentors should provide honest and constructive feedback -both positive and negative -to help you set realistic goals.

• Identify a research project (or research opportunities/internships) and necessary level of commitment to match your abilities and career goals.

• Define the approaches to attain the research/career goals you have chosen and obtain the specific skills and strengths (e.g., courses, technical skills, teaching, supervision) you need to acquire and/or build upon.

• Define milestones and anticipated time frames for goal acquisition.

Developed by Dr. Pat Marsteller, Emory University

Questions to Ask Yourself

• What are my objectives in entering graduate school?• What type of training do I desire?• What are my strengths?• What skills do I need to develop?• What kinds of research or creative projects will

engage me?• How much independent versus team work do I want

to do?• What type of career do I want to pursue?

Developed by Dr. Pat Marsteller, Emory University

Basic Steps for IDP

• Step 1– Conduct self-assessment

• Step 2 – Write an IDP. Share IDP with mentor and revise

• Step 3 – Implement the plan.

• Step 4 – Survey opportunities with mentor

Science Careers Resource http://myidp.sciencecareers.org

Assessments

Career Exploration

Goal Setting