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Graduate School App Prep Workshop

ACCESS Success Center

By Patricia Ayala Macías (she/her)& Brett Witteck (he/him)

AGENDA

01 Researching Grad ProgramsTips and information to ask

03 Grad App MaterialsGrad App Binder and organizing your materials

02 Connecting with FacultyScheduling meetings, letters of rec, and questions to ask

04 ResourcesPrograms and resources to use

Researching Grad Programs

Allow yourself time

Research the academic discipline options/programs

Go wide on your approach - Decide on your top 5Look into 10 - 20 programs

Create spreadsheet (use template) to track cost, GPA, exams, # references, documents, etc.

Reach out to admissions with questions

Those not found on program FAQ site

Talk to current students OR alumni

LinkedIn//Department Site

Components of Graduate School ApplicationsStart Early

Research Program Specific MaterialsCheck Deadlines

Book Entry ExamsFunding

Perfect Personal Statement // Letter of IntentReferences // Letters of Rec

Resume // CVWriting Sample(s)

Submit prior to deadlines // by deadlineFollow up on Letter of Rec submissions

Double check submission status

Order Official TranscriptsFAFSA /CA Dream Act/ Financial Aid

Apply for ScholarshipsSend Thank You Notes

Create spreadsheet -

Across top section write in the University or Program

Template to track cost, GPA, exams, # references, documents, etc.

❏ Contact Graduate Program Coordinator

❏ Read the program description for key words or interests

❏ Preview previous students academic work

❏ Thesis

❏ Projects

❏ Portfolio’s

❏ Look into the degree or program requirements

❏ See if program has different subsets // concentrates for program

❏ Specific degree requirements

Additional Steps to Consider

Make Connections

Professors // Lecturers

Department Staff

Teaching Assistants

Advisors

Career Counselors

Writing Tutors

Faculty Staff

❏ Research the field of interest and how the grad program can provide insight/career goals

❏ Discover which professors can talk to you about different components of grad programs

❏ Academic history within the field

❏ Research interests that align with your personal interests

❏ After establishing relationship with the faculty or professor

❏ Then it would be appropriate to inquire about letters of recommendation

❏ Research how these would be submitted, timeline, and content

❏ Connect with themtors

❏ Meant to assist students throughout their entire college application process

Having the talk

Grad App MaterialsWriting Prompts and Organizing Tips

Sample Grad App ChecklistSchool 1 School 2 School 3 School 4

APPLICATION

TRANSCRIPTS

RESUME/CV

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Other materials: name of program, fellowships/scholarships, 3 letters of recommendation, application fee (find if waivers are possible), interview, standardized test (GRE, LSAT, etc), names of potential advisors and/or committee members

Deadlines- Masters

1. Every week research 1-2 program(s)

2. Reach out to 3 faculty

October

January

November

February

December

Deadline-Submit!March

Sample timeline: start AY 2021-2022

1. General app2. Work on SOP/Prompts3. Attend info session or

meet with Coordinator

1. Get Resume/CV feedback

2. Work on SOP/Prompts

1. Finalize general app2. Remind faculty about

LOR3. Work on SOP/Prompts4. Order transcripts

1. Finalize SOP/Prompts2. Remind faculty about

LOR3. Finalize Resume/CV

Deadlines- PhDs

1. Every week research 2 programs

2. Reach out to 3 faculty3. Apply to conferences

October

January

November

February

December

March

Sample timeline: start AY 2022-2023

1. Study GRE2. Work on SOP/Prompts3. Attend info session4. Apply for summer

research programs

1. Get CV feedback2. Work on writing sample3. Identify faculty advisors

1. Gather transcripts2. Apply to conferences3. Apply for

fellowships/grants/scholarships

1. Research Masters program(s)

2. Work on writing prompts

3. Ask for letters of rec

1. Reach out to current grad students

2. Update info of schools3. Update CV

Writing Prompts

Tailored to program

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Discuss research and projects

Research Interest/Experience

Discuss more about yourself--tailor to prompt

Personal Statement

Talk about your identities

Diversity Statement

Typically in PhD programs

Writing Sample

Direct responses and shorter version of SOP

Short Responses

Tailoring AppThink how the department, the field, and you are connected

● Resume // CV to program○ Correlation your experience // who you are

● How is the school or program unique?● Use specific details to the university

○ Highlight relevant experience● Consider how location might impact experience● Consider how University environment impacts experience● Connect with current students or alum● Edit, proofread, keep it easy-to-read

TIME MANAGEMENT

Current responsibilities

Undergrad ClassesInvolvement and prep

Expand the CV/Resume

Work group sessions & Feedback

Accountability GroupEvery week working on

something

Deadlines

Undergraduate Opportunities

Research and Professional---Expanding your resume/CV

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Summer Research Programs

● UCSD STARS program*● UCI SURF program*● MURAP UNC at

Chapel Hill*● MICHHERS at University

at Michigan**● SROP at Big Ten● The Leadership Alliance

Set up appointment with faculty

Grad School Prep Programs

Faculty Research Projects

● McNair Scholars Program ● CSU Sally Casanova● Graduate Equity Fellowship●

Undergraduate Professional Opportunities

● PPIA Junior Summer Institute Fellowship● Pre-Health Dreamers● UCLA-Dream Summer Fellowship and/or UCB Labor Summer Internship

Program● Visit your department’s website/newsletter/email announcements for

internship/fellowship opportunities● Sign up for an organization’s newsletter and/or follow on social media● Visit SJSU Career Center

CA Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education

Podcast● Blk + Grad School (STEM)● PhDivas (STEM and Humanities)● Radio Cachimbona (Law)● AnzalduingIt (Art and Ethnic Studies)● Grad School Femtoring (General)● The Familiar Strange (Anthropology)

Blogs

● Academic Mami (PhD in Mexican Literature and motherhood)

RESOURCES

McNair Scholars Program

Click Here to Apply Today

Click Here Oct 1st

Click Here Oct 12th

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THANK YOUQ&A-

Do you have any questions? Contact information

sjsu.edu/access/socsci-success@sjsu.edu

408.924.5363Fall 2020

Mon-Thurs: 9 AM - 4:30 PM