Applying to Graduate School in the Life Sciences University of Notre Dame.
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Transcript of Applying to Graduate School in the Life Sciences University of Notre Dame.
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Applying to Graduate School in the Life
Sciences
University of Notre Dame
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Why Enter a Doctoral Program?
• Because you want to do research• The primary goal of doctoral programs is to train
researchers
• You want to pursue scholarly subjects in great depth
• You want to make fundamental contributions to a field
• Because you want to teach at the college level• A Ph.D. is required to be a professor at most universities
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Poor Reasons to Enter a Doctoral Program
• You enjoy taking courses
• You are not in a hurry to get a “real job”
• You didn’t get in to med/vet/etc school
• You are trying to improve your salary
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The Graduate School Lifestyle:Is it for you?
• Flexibility is everywhere• Classes, projects, hours, vacations, location• Supportive community of peers and mentors• Travel opportunities
• Self-motivation is thus paramount• A 60-80 hour work week is typical• Without external deadlines, some flounder
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Start Looking for Schools
• No later than the summer before you apply
• Time consuming process• Courses or credits might be required• GRE exams require planning• Still time to cultivate recommenders!
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Choosing Schools for Application
• Narrow your interests• Begin with advice from current profs• Is there a professor doing work that interests
you? More than one?• Prestige• Size• Based on geography (if necessary)
• Apply to about 10 schools
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MAKE CONTACT WITH FACULTY BEFORE YOU
APPLY
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The Easy Parts of the Application
• Spend the time to get it perfect• No misspelling, inaccuracies, missing info
• Tailor to each school
• The Graduate Record Exam• Study for this exam!
• Take the summer before you apply
• The general test is universally required but the subject tests are not always required
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The “Statement of Purpose” or Personal Essay
• This is your main chance to sell yourself!• Should be concise, helpful and specific• Cute essays in style of UG apps are reviled• Use names of each university & its faculty• Customize the research angle to program• Keep it short; their limit or ~2 pages• What (have you done), Why (are you interested), Why (this
school)?
• Get feedback from UG professors
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Topics for the Essay
• Take their recommendations first!
• If program request is general: • Your eventual career goal (AFTER the PhD!)• Field(s) of research that interest you and why• Your prior research experience (key)• A particular research question possibly• Discrepancies in your record (eg bad grades)
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Letters of Recommendation
• Cultivate relationships and choose well• Should be professors (not TAs or staff)• Should know your course work and/or research
experience well (no “character” references)• Supply writers with resume, statement, transcript,
and information on your career goals• Organize materials carefully for ease of
recommenders
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The “Kiss of Death” in the Graduate Application Process
• Not doing your homework• Applying to a program they don’t have• Proposing to work with deceased faculty members
• Damaging personal statements• Altruistic personal statements• Excessive self disclosure• Nonspecific research goals• Professional inappropriateness
Survey from IUPUI and Idaho State University faculty of 88 programs
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The “Kiss of Death” in the Graduate Application Process
• Academic problems• Erratic grades; blaming others for poor performance
• Faulty letters of recommendation• Inappropriate authors; disclosure of undesirable personality
characteristics
• Lack of writing skills• Failure to proof; poor grammar or composition
• Misfired attempts to impress• Name dropping
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Summary• Think deeply about your career & life goals
• Start program research & applications early
• Make contact with faculty before application
• Study for the GRE exam
• Produce a perfectly prepared application
• Get input on your statement of purpose
• Customize your applications
• Cultivate recommenders and give them the right tools
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Departmental Statistics
• Currently 134 graduate students
• Currently 45 faculty members
• Student: Faculty ratio of ~3: 1
• Over 40 post doctoral fellows
• Close to 100% funding rate for Biology faculty (extramural grants)
• Biology ranks #1 at UND in amount of extramural funding (~$20M per year)
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Advantages of Our Program
• Excellent support package
• Flexibility in coursework and research
• Well funded and active laboratories
• Excellent facilities
• Many interdisciplinary opportunities
• Collegial and interactive faculty & students
• Low student:faculty ratio = interaction
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How are Biology Students Supported?
• Teaching AssistantshipsTypically teach 1 lab per week About 10-12 hr per week for all teaching duties
• Research AssistantshipsResearch in your advisor’s laboratoryOften linked to your own graduate research
• Fellowships and TraineeshipsUniversity FellowshipsTraining Grants (IGERT, CBBIP, etc.)National Fellowships (NSF, USEPA, DOD, AHA, etc.)
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Level of Stipend Support
• $25,000 for 12 months in 2010-11 $18,750 for academic year (9 months)$6,250 for summer support (from grants typically)Same for TAs or RAs, Ph.D. or M.S.Some fellows have enhanced stipends (e.g., IGERT)
• Full tuition waiver provided~$38,270 per year
• Five years of support toward Ph.D. Three years towards M.S. Assumes adequate progress toward degree
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Our Admission Criteria• Research Experience
– Undergraduate research & summer internships– Emphasize in your application & letters– Master’s degrees
• “Fit” with the Lab and Program– Make contact with faculty before you apply– Do your homework on research programs– Make the case in your personal statement
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More Admissions Criteria• Letters of Reference
– Our favorite phrases:• “intellectual curiosity” “great work ethic” “team player” • “excellent writer” “problem-solver” “self motivated”
• Undergrad Institution and GPA
• GRE scores– General test required– Subject tests optional but desirable
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Graduate Recruitment Weekend• 40-60 applicants visit at our expense
– 2 ½ days of activities (meals, tours, boring talks)
• Faculty Interview Questions:– What are your long-term goals?– What areas of research interest you?– What was your favorite undergrad class?– What are your hobbies?
• Do your homework on the program & faculty!
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Predoctoral Fellowship Opportunities:
Extramural:- NSF (GRFP)- Private Foundations (American Heart Association, etc).
Intramural:- internal endowment funds- training grants- university programs
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University of Notre Dame