Grad School Seminar

8/3/2019 Grad School Seminar

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Applying to Graduate SchoolTips on Navigating the Application Process and Preparing Personal Statements

Jennifer Lofgreen, Lead Writing TA

Department of Chemistry

in collaboration with

College Writing Centres, Academic Success Centre, Career Centre


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why grad school?

why go to grad school? want to continue with research youre already doing

interested in doing new and exciting research in a different area

interested in pursuing a career in teaching at the university level

it opens doors academic research

teaching

industrial research

patent law

entrepreneurship/spinoff companies

gain perspective and valuable experience

its getting harder to succeed with just a B.Sc.

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how to start

key questions what kind of graduate work/research is interesting to me?

is there a particular school, program or professor that best suits me?

what do I want to get out of my grad school experience?

do some research schools/programs

potential supervisors

entrance requirements

financial support packages/scholarships

life outside the lab

narrow down your choices many schools charge for applications, so pick ones you really want

read the application instructions carefully and start gathering materials

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where to start

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things to look for

deadlines early admission and regular admission

grade point average requirements these are often different for M.Sc. and Ph.D.

supporting documents required transcripts/GRE scores

letters of reference

personal statements

how to submit your application and supporting documents electronically? paper copies?

especially transcripts and letters of reference!

remember to allow time for postage if youre sending a paper application!

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supporting documents

letters of reference start thinking about who you could ask now

give your referees plenty of notice (at least a month!)

make sure you tell your referees the correct format for their letter and how

to submit it

transcripts these take time to be printed, so order them early

make sure you order the correct format and submit them properly

personal statements

this is your opportunity to set yourself apart!

other documents required by specific programs questionnaires, CV, research/publication summary, etc.

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the personal statement

tells the admissions committee why you are right for their program

may also be called personal/autobiographical essay

application/admission essay

statement of purpose letter of intent

supplements the rest of your application does not repeat it

helps the admissions committee assess you as a candidate

it is a substitute for an interview

writing sample!

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how to prepare a personal statement

study the information you have gathered on the program/school/

area of research youre interested in

consider what parts of your research most interest or inspire you

reflect on what you can offer this program

write a draft

edit your draft

have your draft critiqued

edit again

prepare the final statement and proofread it

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gathering information

this is useful for all aspects of the application

most students dont do enough homework

things to consider:

read application forms and guidelines look at program and school websites

talk to previous and current students

attend information sessions and campus tours

get in touch with professors and admissions officers

talk to professionals in the field

the more resources you use, the more prepared you will be to

complete your application

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assess your research

what have you learned about possible programs of study?

how are they structured? course-based

research-based

what about them appeals to you?

have you identified specific professors you would like to work for?

how do your skills, experience, achievements and background fit

into these programs? your preparation for a program may help you set yourself apart in theapplication process

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take a closer look at your own experience

in the context of a specific program, consider what you have to

offer start with how you became interested in this particular field

look at each program of study at each school as a separate

application why do you want to enrol in this specific program?

what experiences make you an ideal candidate?

what skills have you developed that will be useful?

how does the program help you work toward your career goals?

what are your research interests?

this can be the most challenging part of an application

you need to sell yourself gracefully

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write your draft

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three most common formats:

2. analytical approach structured around specific topics or questions

allows you to integrate questions (dont use numbered points!)

structure it like a position paper

3. technical approach addressing a particular field or area of research like a research proposal

most impersonal

1. narrative or chronological approach moving from your past through to your future

most common format

tells a story that integrates your academic experiences and goals


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write your draft

typical questions to address in a personal statement include: why are you interested in this field?

why would you be a good candidate?

what experiences do you have that have prepared you for this program?

what are your research interests?

what attracted you to this program or school?

answer the questions in stages write down everything that comes to mind

read through your answers and pull out the most important points

rewrite your answers using only the best parts

try, whenever possible, to integrate your answers into your

personal statement

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write your draft

be specific make concrete statements - dont be vague!

address clear issues that are directly relevant to the program or school

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U of T looks for both depth and breadth of education.

McGills undergraduate chemistry degree is a well-

rounded program that exposes students to all areas of

chemistry. It requires a solid foundation of all

fundamental aspects of chemistry before it allows

students to pursue more specialized courses in upperyears. I enjoyed this approach, and endeavoured to

extract understanding and meaningful insight from each

course and lab, regardless of the subject matter.


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write your draft

back up your statements give examples from your own experience

tell stories and give an appropriate amount of detail

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I have been scientifically inclined all my life.

Quick with math and reading at an early age, I have

always learned quickly, and often helped my classmates

with work when they fell behind. In high school, I studied

chemistry, physics and biology, yet found myself most

attracted to chemistry.


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write your draft

be selective admissions committees will appreciate examples, but only if they are well

chosen, relevant and concise - dont be wordy!

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In 2000, I met with a career counsellor to begin to

identify possible areas of study at university that wouldsuit my talents, interests, and goals. She and I worked

together to define what she called my focus in lifea

common goal that appears in all the work I do. Worded

simply, my focus is to achieve intelligent creation that

provokes thought.


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write your draft

interpret your own experiences go beyond listing them, and talk about what your education means

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address both the past and future in a balanced way

I have found that materials and inorganic chemistry offer

me the greatest possibility for harmony between my

creative and scientific interests. It is clear to me that theumbrella of materials science can offer me both

intellectual stimulation through collaboration with other

scientists and creative freedom in the pursuit of creating

novel materials and finding interesting ways of exploiting

their properties in real-world applications.


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write your draft

I grew up in Toronto, and moved to Montreal to attend

McGill University in 2003. I am currently completing my

final semester in a Bachelor of Science, Honours

Chemistry degree, and am eager to pursue graduate

work in the Department of Chemistry at the University ofToronto.

I am currently working with Mark Andrews, who was my

honours thesis supervisor this past summer I have

remained involved with the group through the academic

year, in addition to my regular course load, because Ienjoy the environment and because I want to pursue

research beyond my undergraduate degree.

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write your draft

Worded simply, my focus is to achieve intelligent

creation that provokes thought. This has proved to be

incredibly accurate since then, tying in strongly with my

early interest in chemistry in general and my current love

of materials and inorganic chemistry. While I am anartistic, creative person, I have a very scientific mind, and

I am most satisfied when I am challenging myself

intellectually. I place equal value on imagination and

research, and am clearly aware that my path in life will

always require a good balance of scientific inquiry andfree-flowing creative thought.

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write your draft

I was able to meet with Dr. Ozin in December, and

learned a great deal about the research his group is

conducting My meeting with him gave me insight into

both his actual research and the dynamic of his research

group, and I believe I could be a strong member of sucha creative and motivated team.

I believe that my education at McGill has prepared me

for further experience in research and to meet new

challenges. I am eager to pursue my education at the

graduate level.

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write your draft

be precise and clear with your language

use the first person, but dont overdo it

your tone should be formal, but still personal

treat the letter like a written interview be selective with what you write, and make sure everything you include

has a point

the way you present yourself in the letter must best represent your abilities

avoid clichs

proofread! check grammar, spelling, punctuation, mechanics

ask for help if youre not sure!

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critique and edit your draft

ask for help! professors (ideally more than one, if possible)

professionals in the field (if you know any)

TAs/LWTA

fellow students (ideally high achievers)

your parents, siblings, friends it helps to get someone outside the field to look at it from a non-scientific

perspective

might also help from a more personal side

read your draft out loud to yourself

visit a writing centre if possible

attend tutorials and workshops

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complete your application

write your final draft of your personal statement ALWAYS proofread twice before finalizing your writing!

complete all components of your application in the proper format applications that arent in the correct format may simply be disregarded!

collect your letters of reference, transcripts, and all other

supporting documents (or confirm that they have been sent directly

to the appropriate address) get in touch with the admissions office, if possible, to check on your

supporting documents

leave time for unexpected delays, changes, and a last round of

revisions

celebrate and wait for a response!

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resources

www.writing.utoronto.ca

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http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/


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resources

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resources

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resources

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resources

www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate/ell

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http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate/ellhttp://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate/ell


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resources

www.asc.utoronto.ca

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http://www.asc.utoronto.ca/http://www.asc.utoronto.ca/


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resources

www.careers.utoronto.ca

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http://www.careers.utoronto.ca/http://www.careers.utoronto.ca/


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resources

www.accessibility.utoronto.ca/home

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http://www.accessibility.utoronto.ca/homehttp://www.accessibility.utoronto.ca/home


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resources

www.library.utoronto.ca

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http://www.library.utoronto.ca/http://www.library.utoronto.ca/

Grad School Seminar

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Transcript of Grad School Seminar