Graduate&ProfessionalSchoolGuide

                 

Career Development Office Grinnell College 1127 Park Street Grinnell, IA  50112 Phone: 641‐269‐4940 Fax: 641‐269‐4508 Web: www.grinnell.edu/cdo E‐mail: career@grinnell.edu 

  

Career Development Office

1127 Park Street Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA 50112-1690

641-269-4940 fax 641-269-4508 www.grinnell.edu

career@grinnell.edu

December2012DearGrinnellStudentsandAlumni:Congratulationsonmakingthedecisiontoinvestigatewhethergraduateorprofessionalschoolmaybeagoodchoiceforyourfuture.Thisguidewasdesignedtoaddresssomeofthebasicquestionsyoumayhaveasyouexplorethepossibilitiesofearningapostgraduatedegreeinanyfield.Thematerialpresentedinthisguideisnotdefinitive;exceptionsabound.Butbyusingthisguide,you’realreadyonyourwaytostartingtheexplorationandinformation‐gatheringprocess.Ifyouweretochallengemetodistillthisguidetoitscoreprinciples,Iwould,inturn,challengeyouto:

• Learnasmuchasyoucanaboutgraduateandprofessionalschoolinyourareasofinterest;

• Learnasmuchasyoucanabouttheneedforagraduateorprofessionalschooldegreeforthefulfillmentofyourgoals(whichmeansyoumustfirstknowwhatthosegoalsare);and

• Learnwhy—really,why—youwishtopursueaparticularpath.Justbeinginterestedinsomethingisnotadequate;youareinterestedinparticularthingsforparticularreasons.Discoverthesereasons.Indeed,thismatterhasnorightorwronganswer.Buttobesatisfiedandsuccessfulingraduateorprofessionalschool(and,ultimately,inyourcareerandlife),youmustbeabletoarticulateananswertothewhyquestionthataddresseswhat’sattheheartofyourinterestsandgoals.

Dotakeadvantageofresourcesfarandwideasyoubuildyourknowledgeandunder‐standings:summerexperiences,faculty,advisers,mentors,alumni,andstaffatandpro‐grammingprovidedbytheCareerDevelopmentOffice.Alumni:RememberthattheCDOisalsohereforyou.Remoteconsultationscanbeconductedviae‐mail,phone,orSkype.TheURLsinthisguideareactiveasofDecember21,2012.Iencourageyoutobringanyout‐of‐datelinks—oroutdatedadviceorinformation—tomyattention.Withbestwishes,StevenE.Gump,M.B.A.,Ph.D.AssistantDirectorofGraduateandProfessionalSchoolAdvising

 

Contents  

GraduateSchool:TheBasics 

Defining Graduate Degrees  ......................................................................................................   1 

Deciding if Graduate School Is Right for You  ...........................................................................   2 

  Worksheet A: Evaluating Career and Life Values, Interests, and Priorities  .........................   3 

  Worksheet B: Knowing One’s Purpose and Goal for Attending Graduate School  ..............   4 

  Worksheet C: Seeking Multiple Perspectives on Graduate School  .....................................   5 

Exploring Informational Interviews  .........................................................................................   6 

Taking Advantage of Other Resources  .....................................................................................   8 

Deciding When to Attend  ........................................................................................................   9 

Surveying Graduate Admission Exams .....................................................................................   10 

Financing Graduate or Professional School  .............................................................................   11 

Evaluating Graduate Schools  ...................................................................................................   12 

Applying to Graduate School  ...................................................................................................   13 

Writing Effective Personal Statements  ....................................................................................   15 

Mapping a General Timetable for Graduate School  ................................................................   17 

   PreparingforLawSchoolatGrinnell

 

Pre‐Law at Grinnell: The Basics  ................................................................................................   19 

Pre‐Law at Grinnell: Law School Admission  .............................................................................   20 

Mapping a General Timetable for Law School  .........................................................................   21 

 PreparingforMedicalSchoolatGrinnell

 

Pre‐Medicine at Grinnell: The Basics  .......................................................................................   22  

Pre‐Medicine at Grinnell: Continuing to Prepare  ....................................................................   23 

Mapping a General Timetable for Medical School  ..................................................................   24 

 PreparingforBusinessSchoolatGrinnell

Pre‐Business at Grinnell: The Basics  ........................................................................................   25  

Pre‐Business at Grinnell: The Application  ................................................................................   26 

 EspeciallyforInternationalStudents

 

Options and Information for International Students  ..............................................................   27

Defining Graduate Degrees | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 1  

Defining Graduate Degrees  QWhat’sthedifferencebetween“graduateschool”and“professionalschool”?

AGoodquestion!Graduateschoolsandprofessionalschoolsbothofferadvanceddegrees—thatis,de‐greesforwhichaprerequisiteisanundergraduatedegree;thesedegreesaretypicallystyledasmas‐ter’sordoctoraldegrees.*Graduateschoolstendtopreparestudentsbroadlyforcareersinresearchorhighereducation(thatis,asprofessors),withanemphasisonskillsnecessarytoadvanceaparticu‐larfieldofstudy.Professionalschoolspreparestudentsforcareersaspractitionersinprofessionalfields,suchaslaw,business,andmedicine.Graduateschoolsandprofessionalschoolsarebothcom‐monly—butnotalways—branchesoflargeruniversities.Somemajortypesofgraduatedegreesinclude:

Research master’s degrees: These,  typically mas‐ter of arts  (M.A.) or master of  science  (M.S.) de‐grees, provide experience in research and scholar‐ship. They may be pursued as a final degree or as a step  toward  a  Ph.D.  A  research master’s  degree typically  requires  one  to  two  years  of  full‐time study, and students typically  (but not always) en‐roll  in master’s  programs  that  complement  their undergraduate  backgrounds  or  experiences.  In addition to coursework, a final comprehensive ex‐am or thesis is typically required for completion of these programs.  Research doctoral degrees: The doctor of philoso‐phy (Ph.D.) is the highest earned academic degree and primary  credential  for  college‐level  teaching. The  Ph.D.  involves  coursework  and  an  extensive and  original  research  project  (the  dissertation). Completion of a Ph.D. program usually requires a minimum of four years of full‐time study, but dis‐cipline‐specific  requirements  (foreign  language fluency,  fieldwork  expectations,  and  more)  can add many years. Funding opportunities include as‐sistantships and fellowships. 

Professional  master’s  degrees:  These  provide specific sets of skills needed or desirable for prac‐tice in particular fields; the degree names and ini‐tialisms  are  often  indicative  of  the  areas  (e.g., M.B.A. for business administration, M.Ed. for ed‐ucation, M.F.A.  for  fine  arts, M.S.W.  for  social work). Professional master’s degrees typically re‐quire one to two years of full‐time study, but be‐cause these degrees are often pursued by work‐ing professionals, accelerated, part‐time, and hy‐brid options are frequently available.  Professional  doctoral  degrees:  These  are  the highest degrees for areas such as medicine (M.D.) and  law  (J.D.),  where  practical  applications  of knowledge  and  skills  are  required.  Coursework and  practicums  prepare  students  for  successful entrance  to  their professions, which  typically  in‐volves passing additional  state‐ or national‐level certifying  examinations.  Full‐time  study,  subsi‐dized  by  loans,  is  the  norm.  Although  debt  for medical school should be considered “safe” debt, debt  for  law  school—except  for  the most  com‐petitive schools—is riskier these days. 

    Programs offering dual degrees:  Increasingly popular are degrees that combine professional and research degrees (e.g., M.D./Ph.D.) or professional degrees (J.D./M.B.A., M.D./M.B.A.). Admission requirements may be more stringent for such programs, since applicants need to satisfy two sets of criteria. Dual degrees can occasionally be completed in one or two fewer semesters than if the degrees were taken sequentially. 

*Additionalpostgraduatedegreesincludecertificatesandspecialistdegrees;mostareprofessionalinnature.Certificatestendtoliemidwaybetweenundergraduateandmaster’sdegrees;specialistde‐greestendtoliemidwaybetweenmaster’sanddoctoraldegrees.

Page 2 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Deciding if Graduate School Is Right for You  

Deciding if Graduate School Is Right for You  

QI’minterestedinalotofthings.HowamIsupposedtomakeupmymindaboutwhatsortofgraduateprogramtopursue?

ABeforeapplyingforfurthereducation,youshouldbefullyawareoftheworkingconditions,employ‐mentprospects,andphysicalandmentaldemandsofthefieldyouplantopursue.Believeitornot,butgraduateschoolwillmostlikelyevenbemoreintensethanyourGrinnellexperience!Youarelucky,though,tohaveexperiencewithbuildingaprogramofstudythatsuitsyourparticularinterestsandgoals,sinceacoreaimofgraduateorprofessionalschoolisforyoutofindyourownparticularnicheinabroaderfield.Someexistentialquestionstoconsider:

Whatareyourvalues,interests,andprioritiesforyourcareerandlife?UseWorksheetAonpage3toexploreyourvalues,interests,priorities,andgoals.Themoreyouunderstandaboutyourself,yourvalues,yourworkstyle,andyourgoals,themorelikelyyouwillbetofindapost‐Grinnellstepthatistrulyrightforyou.Doyouhaveaclearpurposeandgoalforattendinggraduateschool?UseWorksheetBonpage4toexplorewhatyouwantoutofagraduateprogram.Whatwouldyoulikeagraduatede‐greetodoforyou?Howwillagraduatedegreebenefityourpersonalandcareergoals?Haveyouresearchedthegraduateschooloptioninmanydifferentways?Makesureyouun‐derstandthefieldyouarepursuinganditsplaceintheworkforce,andrememberthatthereisno“right”or“wrong”waytopaveyourcareerpath(sodon’tlistentowhatonlyonepersonorsourcetellsyou).Triangulatinginformationfromnumeroussources—people,websites,othermedia—willallowyoutoobtainamorenuancedunderstandingofvariouspossibilitiesandhowyourchoicemayaffectyourlifeandpersonalgoals.UseWorksheetConpage5toassessyourresearchoptions.Areyouusinggraduateschooltopostponemakingacareerdecision?Ifso,don’t!Someindi‐vidualsentergraduatestudywiththeideathattheycanpostponetheinevitable—decidingonacareerandsearchingforajob—foranotheryearortwo.Ifthisisyoursolemotivationforenteringgraduateschool,itcouldhaveseriousimplicationsforyourcareerdevelopment.Areyousimplyperceivinggraduateschoolastheautomatic“nextstep”?Ifyoudo,youmaynotbepreparedforthefocuseddirectionthatgraduateschoolrequires.Twoofthereasonsmostfrequentlygivenbystudentswhohavedroppedoutofgraduateprogramsareadislikeofconcen‐tratedacademicworkandarealizationthattheyhavenotdefinedtheircareergoalsclearlyenough.

So,gothroughWorksheetsAthroughC(pp.3–5ofthisguide)andthentalkwithyouradviserandotherfacultymembersaboutyourideasandplans.CounselorsattheCareerDevelopmentOfficewouldalsobehappytodiscussyourpost‐Grinnellplanswithyouatanytime.Inshort,choosegraduateschoolbecauseyouareworkingtowardaconcretegoal.Graduateorprofessionalstudycanbeaworthwhileandrewardinglifeandcareeradditive;itshouldnotbeadisappointingemploymentalternative.

Worksheet A | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 3  

WORKSHEET A: Evaluating Career and Life Values, Interests, and Priorities  

What are your values, interests, and priorities for your career and life? 1. WhatdoIwantinmylifetime?2. Whatisimportanttome?3. WhatkindsofworkandexperiencesdoIfindmeaningful?4. WhattoolsandskillsdoIalreadyhave?DoIneedtoenlargeorexpandthesetoolsandskillsinordertohaveameaningfullife?

   

Page 4 |Graduate & Professional School Guide | Worksheet B  

WORKSHEET B: Knowing One’s Purpose and Goal for Attending Graduate School  

Do you have a clear purpose and goal for attending graduate school? 1. Whataremylong‐andshort‐rangegoals?2. Whatisnecessaryformetoachievethesegoals?3. HowmuchinterestdoIhaveingraduatestudy?4. Whatwouldbethebenefitsofnotgoingtograduateschool?5. Whatwillagraduatedegreedoformepersonally?6. Howwillagraduatedegreeaddtomycareerdirection?

   

Worksheet C | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 5  

WORKSHEET C: Seeking Multiple Perspectives on Graduate School  

Have you researched the graduate school option in many different ways? 1. Whatarethedifferentkindsofprogramsinmyfield,andwhichwillmostbenefitmygoals?2. WhatinformationdoIhaveavailable?HowdoIfeelabouttheinformationpresented?3.WhatmentorsdoIhaveavailable(e.g.,faculty,family,friends,professionals)?HowdoIfeelabouttheirperspectivesandadvice?

4. WithwhomcouldIconductaninformationalinterview(seepp.6–7)tobuildmyunderstandingofgraduateorprofessionalprograms?WhatcanIasksoIcanfurtherevaluatemyoptions?

5. Whatarethetimeandmoneyinvestmentstotakeonagraduateorprofessionaldegree?Howwillthoseaffectme?Whataboutopportunitycosts—thecostsofmakingonechoiceoveranother?

6. DoIseemyselfsucceedinginagraduateorprofessionalprogram?7. WhatcanIdowithoutagraduateorprofessionaldegree?

Page 6 |Graduate & Professional School Guide | Exploring Informational Interviews  

Exploring Informational Interviews QYoumentioned“informationalinterviews”earlier.Canyoutellmemoreaboutthem?

AAninformationalinterviewisabrief(20–45‐minute)meetingwithanindividualinyourparticularfieldorgraduateprogramofinterest.Thismeetingisnotanactualjoborgraduateschoolinterview;thepurposeisnottobeofferedajoboradmissiontoaparticularprogram.Rather,itismorelikearecon‐naissancemissionwithasecondarygoalofestablishingapersonalconnectionwithanetworkedindi‐vidualwhoisknowledgeableaboutyourdesiredcareerorfield.Theindividualmaybesomeoneinthespecifictypeofjoborgraduateprogramyou’dliketoknowmoreabout,andthepersoncouldevenbesomeoneinvolvedinaparticularprogramofinterest(asacurrentstudent,facultymember,oralum‐nus).Informationalinterviewsaredesigned:

● Tohelpyouexplorecareersorgraduateprogramsandclarifyyourcareergoals;● Tohelpyoulearnwhatkindsofdegrees,skills,ortrainingarerequiredforcertaincareers;● Todiscoverassistantship,fellowship,orinternshipopportunitiesthatarenotadvertised;● Toexpandyourprofessionalnetwork;● Tobuildconfidenceforyourgraduateschoolessaysorinterviews;● Toaccessthemostup‐to‐datecareerorgraduateprograminformation;● Toallowyoutolearnfromaninsideraboutthefuturedirectionsofafield;and● Tohelpyouidentifyyourprofessionalstrengthsandweaknesses.

Makesurethatthepotentialintervieweeknowsfromthestartthatyou,asinterviewer,areseekingtogatherinformation,notaskforajoboraspotinaprogram.QHowdoIarrangeaninformationalinterview?

AUseyourpersonalorprofessionalnetwork—orcontacttheCareerDevelopmentOffice—toidentifysomeonewithknowledgeaboutaparticularprofessionorgraduateprogram.Then,sendabriefletterore‐mailmessagetothispersonwhereinyouintroduceyourselfandaskforaninformationalinter‐view.Forexample:

Dear Dr. Coverdale:  

My name is Steve Gump, and I’m a junior at Grinnell College, where I’m double‐majoring in biology and psy‐chology. I’m currently planning to apply to medical school and would be very interested to learn more about your career as a psychiatrist and your recommendations for a productive way to spend the summer between my junior and senior years. (Your colleague Dr. Will Fleming, a friend of my father’s, provided me with your e‐mail address.)  

I would greatly appreciate if you could spare about 30 minutes in the next few weeks to talk with me over the phone. My contact information—plus a link to my blog, where you can see my current résumé—is at the foot of this message. I look forward to hearing from you soon.  

With best wishes,  

Steve Gump [contact information] 

 

Whatdoyounoticeaboutthismessage?

● It’spolite,professional,andbrief(just130words);● Itclearlyexplainswhat’sbeingsought(aninformationalinterview,thoughwithoutcallingitsuch);● Itoffersapersonalconnection(messageswithoutthemareeasiertoignore);and● Itoffersbackgroundontherequesterandpointstoaplacewheretherecipientcanlearnmore.

Exploring Informational Interviews | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 7  

QHowdoIprepareforaninformationalinterview?

AAlthoughinformationalinterviewsareforinformationalpurposes,youshouldtrytomakethebestimpressionpossible.Ifyouareconnectingoverthephone,strivetobeaspersonableandprofessionalasyoucan.Ifyouaremeetinginperson,youwilladditionallybeondisplay:makesureyoulookpro‐fessionalandactprofessionally.(Ifyou’reuncertainhowtodressorhowtositorhowtoshakehandsorthelike,rememberthatfolksattheCareerDevelopmentOfficeareheretohelp.)Youaretheinter‐viewer:Comepreparedwithquestionsthatdemonstrateyouhavegiventhoughttotheconversationandalsothatyourespectyourinterviewee’stime.Takenotes.Ifthemeetingseemstogowell,askifyoumayuseyourintervieweeasareferenceinthefuture.Remember,too,thatpeoplewanttohelp.Nomatterhowfamousandsuccessfulyourinterviewee,youshouldnotbeintimidated.Ingeneral:

●Peoplelovetotalkaboutthemselves;●Theyareproudoftheirworkandlovetotalkaboutit,aswell;and●Theyfeelgoodwhentheyhelpotherpeople.

QWhatdoIdoafteraninformationalinterview?

AFollowupwithathank‐younote(ore‐mail).Thebestthank‐youmessagesarepersonalized,notge‐neric.Forexample:

Dear Dr. Coverdale:  

Many thanks for taking the time to talk with me yesterday afternoon about your career and experiences as a psychiatrist. I’m excited that you further reinforced my budding interest in neuropsychiatry, since, as you pointed out, it certainly combines my interests in biology and builds on the lab work I’m undertaking this semester with Professor Lindgren. And I truly appreciate your introduction to Dr. Rosenfeld; I’ll be contact‐ing him later this fall.   

I’ll check in with you next year when I’m working on a short list of medical schools. I appreciate your offer of talking with me again to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of particular programs.  

With best wishes,  

Steve [contact information] 

Ifyouplantousetheintervieweeasareferenceinthefuture,makesuretokeephimorherapprisedofyourexperiences.E‐mailorprofessionalsocialnetworkingsites(suchasLinkedIn)areeasywaystokeepintouch.Then,ofcourse,repeattheprocesswithanynewcontactstowhomyouhavebeenintroduced.Oftentheindividualsyouendupmeetinglaterareanincrediblyvaluableaspectofcarryingoutinformation‐alinterviews.Yourinterviewerwillsay:“Iknowsomeoneyoushouldtalkto.”Andthenyou’llbegivencontactinformation.Whenyoucontactthisnewindividual,then,youhaveapersonalconnectionthroughthismutualacquaintance.You’llfindthatinquiriesthatcalluponconnections(thatyou’rebothGrinnellians,forexample)ormutualacquaintances(youwererecommendedtocontactthisper‐sonbyso‐and‐so,whomthispersonknows)aremuchmorelikelytogarnerpositiveresponsesforconversations—andmore.

Page 8 |Graduate & Professional School Guide | Taking Advantage of Other Resources  

Taking Advantage of Other Resources  QCanyouidentifysomeadditionalsources—onlineandotherwise—tohelpmemakeupmymindaboutgraduateorprofessionalschool?

ACertainly;lotsofinformationisoutthere—someofdubiousorigin.Onecaveatforusingonlinemate‐rialsfromaggregatewebsitesandrankingschemesisthatyoushouldalwayscorroboratematerialswithinformationprovidedonindividualinstitutionalwebsites.Infact,youshouldcorroborateandtriangulateallmaterialfromanysourcebyseekingandaskingfordifferentperspectives.ComprehensiveOnlineGuidesincludethefollowing: CareerInsider(Vault)–loginthroughPioneerLink;thenchoosethe“Education”tab

GradSchools.com(www.gradschools.com)GraduateSchoolGuide(www.graduateguide.com)Peterson’sGraduateProgramsDirectory(www.petersons.com)PhDs.org(http://graduate‐school.phds.org/) PrincetonReview(www.princetonreview.com)

Field‐SpecificGuidesincludethefollowing: LawSchoolAdmissionCouncil(LSAC)(www.lsac.org)–theofficialLSATregistrationsource.TheLSAC

alsoprovidesfreesampleLawSchoolAdmissionsTests(LSATs);accesstotheLawSchoolDataAssem‐blyService(LSDAS),CandidateReferralService(CRS),LawSchoolForums,andMinoritiesInterestedinLegalEducation(MILE)Program;andadditionaltest‐preparationresources.

MBAExplorer(www.mba.com)–theofficialGMATwebsite,offeringtestinformation,MBA‐programsearchtools,financingresources,arecruitingcalendar,adviceforthoseconsideringMBAprograms,andmore.

MedicalSchoolAdmissionRequirements(www.aamc.org)–apublicationbytheAssociationofAmericanMedicalCollegesthatprovideslistingsofU.S.andCanadianmedicalschoolswithinformationandadviceaboutapplicationsandfinancialaid.Updatedannually,ahardcopyofthisguideisavailableintheCDOLibrary—althoughfutureversionswillbeavailableonlyonline.

Rankings,asageneralrule,shouldnotbetakentooseriously;theyareessentiallymarkersofprestige.LindaAbraham,presidentofAccepted.com(anadmissionsconsultingfirminLosAngeles),saidthatrankingsareimmaterial:“Theyarecollectionsofdataandsurveys.Theyareopinions.”Still,whatpeo‐plethink—particularlypeoplewhoaregoingtobereadingyourrésumésandcurriculavitae(CVs)—isimportant.Somesiteswithaggregaterankingsinclude: BloombergBusinessweek(www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings/)focuses,asyoumightexpect,on

businessschools. PhD’s.org(www.phds.org)isnotcomprehensive,butoffersaninteractivewaytorankmaster’sanddoctoral

programsonthebasisofresearchproductivity,studentoutcomes,studentresources,diversity,NationalResearchCouncildata,andothercriteria.

U.S.News&WorldReport(www.usnews.com/education)publishessomeofthemostvisiblerankingsforgraduateprograms,bycategory(law,medicine,education,business,andmore).TheCDOLibraryhascurrentprintcopiesforyourperusal;acondensedversionisallyouwillseeonline(forfree).

Facultyandalumniareavaluableresource:theycanbreathelifeintothenumericalrankingsas‐signedtovariousschoolsandprograms.Sodiscussyourplanswithalumniandfaculty!Askwhichin‐stitutionswouldbemostappropriateformeetingyourgoals.Often,forexample,atopprograminagivenfieldmaybeataninstitutionyouwouldnotintuitivelythinkofyourself.Finally,alwaysremem‐berthattheadviceandrankingsprovidedbyotherscanbeuseful,butyouneedtoestablishyourownpersonalcriteriatocomparegraduateschools.

Deciding When to Attend |Graduate & Professional School Guide |Page 9  

Deciding When to Attend  

QShouldIgotograduateorprofessionalschoolimmediatelyaftergraduatingfromGrinnell?

AGreatquestion!Manystudentsneedadditionaltimetoclarifytheirprofessionalgoals.Andsomeprofessionalgraduateprograms—forexample,thoseinbusiness—prefertoreceiveapplicationsfromindividualswithatleastacoupleyearsoffull‐timeworkexperience.Sotherereallyisno“right”or“wrong”answer.Thebestadviceistoevaluateallfactorsinyourlifewhendeterminingtheidealtimetobegingraduatestudy.Inconjunctionwithyourresponsesonthe“DecidingifGraduateSchoolIsRightforYou”worksheets(WorksheetsAthroughC),filloutthepro/contablebelow.Ifyoucan,takethispagetoyourfacultyadviser,alumni,orstudentscurrentlyenrolledinprogramsofinterestinordertoreflectonyourideasandhearotherperspectives.

Immediately after Graduation      Another Time 

Pros  Cons 

   

Pros  Cons 

                        

                           

Ifyouplantopursuegraduatestudynotimmediatelyaftergraduationbutwithinthreetofiveyears,youmaywanttotaketheappropriatestandardizedentranceexaminationsduringyoursenioryear(orshortlythereafter).Scoresonmoststandardizedtestsaregenerallyreportableforthreeyears(MCATformedicalschool)tofiveyears(LSATforlawschool,GMATforbusinessschool,GREforgraduateschool)—thoughsomeschoolsorprogramsmaywantscoresfromexamstakenwithinanevenmorerecenttimeframe.

Page 10 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Surveying Graduate Admission Exams  

Surveying Graduate Admission Exams  

QHowimportantarethesestandardizedexamsthatIkeephearingabout?Whatabouttiming?ShouldIgoaheadandtaketherelevantexamevenifI’mnotapplyingtograduateschoolimmedi‐ately?Andwhatabouttakinganexammorethanonce?

AMostgraduateandprofessionalschoolsrequirethatyoutakeoneormorestandardizedexamina‐tionstobeconsideredforadmission.Generally,youarebetteroffifyoutaketheappropriatestandard‐izedtestearlyinyourapplicationprocess,potentiallyuptoayear(ormore)inadvanceofyourde‐siredentrydate.Forexample,ifyouwishtoentermedicalschoolduringthefallaftergraduation,theMCATisbesttakenduringthespringofyourthirdyear.Butbeawarethatscoreshaveashelflife:Scoresmaygenerallybesubmittedtoprogramswithinthreetofiveyearsoftheoriginalexamdate.So,ifyou’replanningtoattendgraduateschoollaterbutwanttotaketheexamwhileyou’restillin“aca‐demic”mode,makesuretoresearchhowlongthescoreswillbevalid—andthenplantoapplytograduateschoolwithinthatwindow(unlessyouwanttoretaketheexamatalaterdate).Asfortakingthetestsmultipletimes,beawarethat,forsometests,allofyourscoresduringthewindowofvaliditywillbereported.Schoolsmayusetheaveragescore(insteadoflookingonlyatthehighest).Herearesomeofthecommonlyrequiredexaminations(allbuttheLSATarecomputerized):

GRE(www.ets.org):Thistest,theGraduateRecordExamination,isrequiredforentrancetomostgraduateprograms.Ithastwoparts,takenindependently:TheGREGeneralTestisdesignedtomeas‐ureanalytical,verbal,quantitative,andwritingability.TheGRESubjectTestisanexaminationinama‐jorfieldofstudy.Graduateschoolsmayrequireoneorbothpartsofthetest;makesuretoinvestigatethoroughly.Offeredyear‐roundatPrometrictestingcenters(theclosestofwhichisinWestDesMoines).GMAT(www.mba.com):TheGraduateManagementAdmissionTestisgenerallyarequirementforstudentsplanningtoattendmanagementandbusinessschools,althoughsomeschoolsmaysubstitutetheGRE.Offeredyear‐roundatPearsonVUEtestingcenters(theclosestofwhichisinWestDesMoines).LSAT(www.lsac.org):TheLawSchoolAdmissionTestisarequirementforadmissiontolawschool.InterestedstudentsshouldalsofulfillrequirementsoftheLawSchoolDataAssemblyService(LSDAS).Offeredfourtimesperyear(attheUniversityofIowa):onceduringthespringterm,onceinthesum‐mer,andtwiceduringthefallterm.(NotalwaysbutoftenalsoofferedinAnkenyatDesMoinesAreaCommunityCollege.)TheLSATistheonlypaper‐and‐pencilexamonthispage.MCAT(www.aamc.org):TheMedicalCollegeAdmissionTestistakenbyapplicantstomedicalschools.InterestedstudentsshouldalsofulfillrequirementsoftheAmericanMedicalCollegeApplicationService(AMCAS).ApproximatelytwodozenadministrationsofthetestareofferedbetweenJanuaryandSep‐temberatPrometrictestcenters(theclosestofwhichisinWestDesMoines).DAT(www.ada.org):TheDentalAdmissionTestisarequirementforadmissiontomostdentalschools.Administeredyear‐roundatPrometrictestcenters(theclosestofwhichisinWestDesMoines).PCAT(www.pcatweb.info):ThePharmacyCollegeAdmissionTestisarequirementforadmissiontomostpharmacyschools.Offered(inDesMoines)inJanuary,July,andSeptember.SomepharmacyschoolsaccepttheGRE.MAT(www.milleranalogies.com):TheMillerAnalogiesTestisahigh‐levelmentalabilitytestacceptedbyseveralgraduateschoolprograms,althoughitspopularityseemstobewaning(andyou’reprobablybetterofftakingtheGRE).AdministeredthroughouttheyearatDrakeUniversityinDesMoines.

Financing Graduate or Professional School |Graduate & Professional School Guide |Page 11  

Financing Graduate or Professional School  

QIunderstandthatgraduateschoolisexpensive,sohowcanorshouldIpayforit?ShouldItakeoutloans?

AYes,highereducationisexpensive—andthemorespecializedtheeducation,themoreexpensiveitbe‐comes(althoughallthecostsarenotnecessarilythrustuponthestudentsthemselves).Theloanissueiscontingentonyourowncircumstancesandthetypeofprogramtowhichyouareconsideringapplying:Ifyou’reapplyingtoaprofessionalprogramwherethechancesofearningasubstantialincomesoonaftercompletingyourtrainingarehigh,loanscanbeawisechoice.Beforepresumingthatyoucan’taffordgraduateorprofessionalschool,particularlyifyou’reaversetotheideaofloans,realizethatfinancialsupportisavailablefromseveralsources:universities,governmentsources,banks,andprivatefounda‐tions.Thesesourcesarechangingcontinuously.Typically,deadlinesarequiteearlyforfinancialaidap‐plications;makenoteofthesewhenyouareinvestigatingtargetschoolsandprograms.Inmostcases,youmayberequiredtosubmitacompletedcopyoftheStudentFinancialStatement(SFS),aParents’ConfidentialStatement(PCS),oracopyoftheFamilyFinancialStatement(FSS)totheAmericanCollegeTestingProgram.Somegraduateschoolswillacceptanyofthethree;othersrequireonespecifically.Typesoffinancialaidavailableforgraduatestudyaresomewhatdifferentfromaidyoumayhavere‐ceivedasanundergraduate.Generaltypesoffinancialaidinclude:

Fellowships:Atthegraduatelevel,theequivalentofascholarshipisafellowship.Fellowshipsareusuallymonetaryawardsgivenonthebasisofscholasticachievement.Bewarned:Fellowshipsmaycountastaxable“unearned”income.Specificprogramsanduniversitieshavetheirownfellowships,whichyoucanhuntforbycombingdepartmentalandinstitutionalwebsitesorbycontactingtheschools’financialaidoffices.Thefederalgovernmentalsosupportssomefellowshipprogramsthatarelargelyportable(thatis,youcanusetheawardsatanyqualifyinginstitution).Pros:“free”money;you’reessentiallybeingpaidtofocusonyouracademicpursuits.Cons:thetaxmancometh;you’remissingoutonteachingandresearchexperience.

Assistantships:Teachingorresearchassistantshipsareoftenavailablethroughacademicdepartmentsorprogramsofstudy.Assistantshipsmayinvolveworking10to20hoursperweekinexchangeforastipendandfeeremission.Althoughfeeremissionsarecommon,beawarethatinacceptingagraduateassistantship,youmaystillberesponsibleforpartialpaymentofyourtuitionorfees.Notealsothatassistantshipsareof‐ten,butnotalways,processedforentireacademicyears—meaningthatevenifyou’refinishedwithallre‐quirementsforthedegreeattheendofthefallterm,youlikelywon’tbeabletograduateearly.Pros:tuitionremission;experience.Cons:thestipendsarelow,andthehoursworkedcanbelong.Residentassistantships:Someinstitutionshaveprogramsinwhichgraduatestudentsearnastipendplusroomandboard(orboth)byworkingasassistantsinundergraduateresidencehalls.Ifyoucannotfindin‐formationonsuchopportunities—andyourprogramishousedonaresidentialcampuswithundergradu‐ates—feelfreetocontacttheschool’sdirectorofresidencelifetoinquireaboutsuchopportunities.

Long‐termeducationalloans:Graduatestudentsmaybeeligibleforavarietyofloanprograms.Represent‐ativesoftheinstitution’sfinancialaidofficeshouldbeabletoexplaintheseprogramstoyou.

Collegework‐studyprograms:Undertheseprograms,eligiblegraduatestudentsareprovidedpart‐timeemploymentopportunities.Financialaidofficesgenerallyadministertheseprograms,andtheirrepresenta‐tivescanexplainapplicationproceduresindetail.

Otheremployment:Universitycommunitiesoftenprovidegoodopportunitiesforpart‐timeworkinvolvingskillsorintereststhatmayormaynotberelatedtoyouracademicgoals.Keepyoureyesopen,anddon’tbeafraidtoaskaroundforleadsorcontacts.

Inshort,financialsupportofgraduateeducationmayvarywidelyfrominstitutiontoinstitution.Begintheprocessearlytoidentifypotentialfundingsources.Also,checktoseeifspecializedfinancialsup‐portexistsforyourparticularfield.

Page 12 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Evaluating Graduate Schools  

Evaluating Graduate Schools  

QWhatsortsofinformationshouldIbelookingfor—andwhatsortsofquestionsshouldIbeask‐ing—asIamevaluatingparticulargraduateschoolsandprograms?

AIndeed,ifyou’rethinkingthatmakingthechoiceofagraduateschoolorprogramisakintohowyouchosetocometoGrinnell,you’reontosomething.Aswithundergraduateinstitutions,graduateinstitu‐tionsandacademicdepartmentscanvarygreatlyinoneormoreofthefollowingfactors:programsavailable,size,location,cost,facilities,facultyinterests,reputation,anddegreerequirements.Matchingyourownabilitiesandpersonaldesiresagainstthevaryingfactorsisanimportanttaskinselectingtheinstitutionstowhichyouwishtoapply.Findanswerstoyourqueriesatinstitutionalwebsites(youmayhavetodigaroundabit);ordon’tbeshyaboute‐mailingadmissionsrepresentatives.Takethefollowingfactorsandquestionsintoconsiderationasyouevaluatevariousprograms: 

Admissions:Whataretheadmissionsrequirements?Doyouhavethetestscores,courses,researchback‐ground,andexperiencerequiredfortheprogram?Whattypesofstudentsareattractedtotheprogram?Wouldyoubeacompetitiveapplicant?Programsandfacilities:Doopportunitiesexistforspecializationinareasofyourowninterest?Dothere‐searchfacilities(laboratories,libraries,collections)suityourneeds?Geographiclocationandsize:Theclimate,thepoliticalandsocialtemperofaninstitution,anditssetting(whetherurbanorinasmallercommunity)areallworthconsidering.Howlargeistheinstitutionandtheacademicdepartment?Thenumberofstudents,andparticularlythestudent–facultyratio,willaffecttheamountofindividualattentionyoureceive.Likeitornot,thevastmajorityofgraduateprogramsareinlo‐caleslargerthanGrinnell.Canyouimagineyourselflivingtherefortheon‐campusportionofyourstudies?Faculty:Whoarethey?Arethesefolksdoingthetypeofresearchinwhichyouareinterested?Whathavetheypublishedrecently?Haveyouconsideredcontactinganyofthesefolks?Philosophy:Isaneffortmadetograduatestudentsefficiently?(Howcanyoutell?Lookfortheaveragelengthoftimespentintheprogram.Ifthisdatumisnotpostedonthedepartmentalwebsite,feelfreetocon‐tactthecoordinatorofyourprogramtoask.)Aregraduatestudentsgivenadequatementoringandsupport?Howdoestheprogramapproachyourarea(s)ofinterest?Someinstitutionsmayapproachthesubjectmat‐tertheoretically,whereothersmaybemorepragmaticintheirapproach.Residenceandotherdegreerequirements:Howmuchtimemustyouspendtakingcoursesataparticularinstitutioninordertoearnyouradvanceddegree?(Notethatresidenceisdifferentfromresidency;onthelat‐ter,see“Financialaid,”below.)Isathesisorcomprehensiveexaminationrequiredatthemaster’slevel?Availableexperience:Whatopportunitiesexistforteaching,research,orassistantships?Howcompetitiveistheapplicationprocedure?Whatsortofsupportisofferedforstudentswhoseekexternalgrantsandfel‐lowships?Doestheinstitutionoryourtargetprogramparticipateinanyformalexchangeprograms?Careerservices:Willyoureceiveassistanceinyourjobsearchwhenyouarereadytograduate?Checkwiththecareercenterateachinstitutiontofindoutwhattypesofemployersexpressinterestingraduatesoftheacademicdepartmentsyouareconsidering.Whatarealumniofthoseprogramsdoingnow?Financialaid:Theamountoffinancialaidawardedwillvarybystudentandbyinstitution.Thereasonsmayhaveasmuchtodowithuniversitybudgetsaswithanapplicant’smerits.Graduateaidisoftenbasedonmerit,notneed.Youthereforewantyourapplicationtobecompetitive.Andifyouareatapublicuniversity,residencyrequirementsdeterminewhetheryoupayin‐statetuition.(Manystateuniversitiesarerequiredtogivepreferencetoin‐stateapplicants.)

Applying to Graduate School | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 13  

Applying to Graduate School  

QI’veselectedmytargetprograms—andtheyincludea“safety”programaswellasa“dream”program.What’snext?

AFormalapplicationsvaryfromoneinstitutiontothenext,butmostapplicationsusuallyconsistofthefollowingcomponents:

  ●Anapplication ●Anapplicationessayorpersonalstatement ● Graduateadmissionstestscores ● Lettersofrecommendation ● Officialtranscripts ● Applicationfee ● Aseparatefinancialaidapplication ● Résuméorcurriculumvitae(CV)

Showyourdepth!Candidateswhoshowstrengthinacombinationoftherequirements—academicpreparation(includingGPA),testscores,previousexperience,volunteerexperience,degree‐relatedgoals,andrecommendations—havethebestchanceforselection.UnderstandtheRequirements&BeaGreatRecord‐Keeper

Keepdetailedrecordsnotingadmissionrequirementsandapplicationdeadlines.Notethatmedicalschools,lawschools,andveterinaryschoolshavecentralizedapplicationprocedures;ifapplicable,familiarizeyourselfwiththesesystemsandtheirtimelinesasearlyaspossible.(Medicine:seewww.aamc.org/students 

[“MoreaboutApplyingtoMedicalSchool”link];law:seewww.lsac.org[“ApplyingtoLawSchool”link];veteri‐narymedicine:seewww.aavmc.org.)Keeptrackofnonrefundableapplicationfees(typically$40–$120perapplication);theymaylimitthenum‐berofschoolstowhichyouapply.Note,however,thatfeewaiversaretypicallyavailable.Don’twaituntilthelastminutetoapply.Ifadmissionsdecisionsaremadeonarollingbasis(thatis,qualifiedapplicantsareacceptedastheyapply),youshouldapplyattheearliestpossibledatetoshowyourenthusiasmandgivetheadmissionscommitteemoretimetoevaluateyourapplication.Earlyapplicationisalsoanad‐vantageifyouareapplyingforfinancialaid.Followupwitheachprogramtomakesureyourapplicationiscomplete.Leaveadequatetimetochasedownaletterofrecommendationortofollowuponarequestforadditionalinformation,ifneeded.

LearnaboutTranscriptOptions

Alltranscriptsmustbe“official.”Typically,theyneedtobesenttoadmissionofficesdirectlyfromtheOfficeoftheRegistrar.Ifyouarerequiredtosubmitallofyoursupportingdocumentationtogether(transcripts,lettersofrecommendation,andotheraddenda),Grinnellallowsyoutoorderacopyofyourtranscriptandthenchoose“HoldforPickup.”Whenyoupickitup,youcanrequestthatitbeplacedinanenvelope,whichwillthenbesealedandsignedacrossthebackflap.Suchtranscriptsareconsidered“official”(providedyoukeepthemsealed).

QSowhat’sthedifferencebetweenarésuméandacurriculumvitae(CV)?WhichdoIneedtoin‐cludewithmyapplication?

AManygraduateschoolapplicationsrequireeitheracurriculumvitae(CV)orarésumé.Arésuméistyp‐icallyonlyoneortwopagesandfocusesonworkandvolunteerexperience.ACVislongerandfocusesonacademicactivitiesandachievements,research,publications,andotherrelevantinformation.Youwantgraduateschoolstohaveascompleteanimageofyouaspossible,andaCVcanincludeinformationthatmightnotfitinothersectionsoftheapplication.OnceyouhaveputtogetheryourrésuméorCV,ween‐courageyoutohavesomeoneattheCDOreviewitforcontentandformatting.

Page 14 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Applying to Graduate School  

QWhataboutlettersofrecommendation?WhomshouldIasktowritethemforme?Doesitmatterifthepersonisn’tfamous?

AMostinstitutionsrequestthatyousubmitbetweentwoandfourlettersofrecommendationaspartofyourapplication.(Notethatmedicalschoolsareanexception;Grinnellpreparescommitteelettersforitsapplicants.)Youshouldobtainrecommendationsfrompeoplewhoarequalifiedtoevaluateyouraca‐demicorworkpotentialandperformancebasedonpersonalobservation.Facultymembersandsupervi‐sorsfromworkarenaturalchoices;thebest—asinmostilluminating—lettersofrecommendationcanbewrittenbyfolkswhoknowyouandyourabilitiesandcharactertraitswell(regardlessofwhethertheletter‐writersare“famous”).Keepthefollowingfactorsinmind: 

Natureofrelationship:Yourrefereesneedtoknowyouwellenoughsothattheycanmakegoodassess‐mentsofyouracademicandworkabilities.Youmightfinditworthwhiletohaveameetingwithpotentialrefereesbeforetheywriteyourlettersofrecommendation.Donothesitatetoaskpotentialrefereesiftheyfeeltheyknowyouwellenoughtowriteastrongrecommendation.Additionalmaterials:Atsomepoint,makesuretotalkwithyourrefereesaboutyourreasonsforapplyingtograduateorprofessionalschool.Give(ore‐mail)yourrefereescopiesofyourrésumé(orCV),materialabouttheprograms,andrecommendationforms(ifrequired)orsuggestionsforareastohighlightintheirletters.Ifhard‐copylettersaretobesubmitted(rarethesedays),provideyourrefereeswithstamped,ad‐dressedenvelopes.Evenifyou’renotfinishedwithyourpersonalstatement,giveacopytoyourrefereesinadvance.Ideally,allofthepiecesofyourapplicationwillfittogetherandcomplementeachother;yourrefer‐eescantailortheirletterstoyourneedsonlyiftheyknowwhattherestofyourapplicationwilllooklike.Communication:Sendthank‐younotestothosewhoassistedyouinyourapplicationprocess.(Yes,sendingthemviae‐mailisfine—justmakesuretobesincere.)Then,onceyou’vebeenacceptedandhavedecidedwhatyou’llbedoing,letyourrefereesknow—andthankthemonceagainfortheirinvolvementinhelpingtomakeyourpostgraduateplans.

QHowcantheapplicationessaybethatimportant,really?CanIsendthesameonetoeachschool?WhatifI’mnotagreatwriter?

AMostinstitutionswillaskthatyousubmitastatementofpurposeorpersonalstatement—a.k.a.an“applicationessay”—inadditiontobasicdatarequestedontheapplicationformitself.Personalstate‐mentsgiveyoutheopportunitytosupplementthestandardapplicationmaterialswithyourowngoalsandobjectiveswithrespecttotheparticularprogramstowhichyou’reapplying.Typically,programswilloffersuggestionsonitemstoconsider,suchasyourreasonsforapplyinginrelationtoexperiences,per‐sonalgoals,andprofessionalexpectations.Don’toverlookthevalueofthepersonalstatement!Inmostcases(withthemajorexceptionofapplicationstomedicalschools),yourpersonalstatementwillbeyouronlychancetoshineasanindividual:itstandsinfortheinterview.Thebestpersonalstatementsare,whenpossible,tailoredtoindividualschools.Afterreadingyourstatement,youwantthereaderstoun‐derstandyourgoals—andhowgoingtotheirparticularprogramisthenextlogicalstepinyourachievingthem.Admissioncommitteescommonlyevaluateanumberofthingsinyourstatement,including: 

  ●motivationandcommitment ●majorareasofinterest ● expectationsandgoals ●researchorworkexperience ●educationalbackground ●maturity ●fitwiththeirprogram ● personaluniquenessCommitteemembersarealsolookingforyourabilitytoarticulatetheabovethings—so,yes,yourwritingabilitymatters.PleasefeelfreetostopbytheCDOforassistancewithyourpersonalstatements.

Writing Effective Personal Statements | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 15  

Writing Effective Personal Statements  QCanyouprovidemesomeadditionaladviceonwritinganeffectivepersonalstatement?

ACertainly.Thebestpersonalstatementsforgraduateandprofessionalschoolapplicationsare:

  ●clearandcoherent ● concreteandcharacterizing ● conciseyetcomplete(inthatyouaddressallelementsoftheprompt,ifthereisone) ● consistentandcomplementary(withothermaterialinyourapplication) ● correct(intermsoflanguage,grammar,syntax) ● CONVINCING,cogent,andconclusive ● COMPELLING

QButhowdoIensuremypersonalstatementfulfillsallofthosecharacteristics?

AWell,that’samoresubjectivequestion.Themostimportantelementsareprobablythefinaltwo:You’retryingtoconvincetheadmissionsfolkstoacceptyouintotheirprogram.Theeasiestwaytodosoistobecompellinginyourpresentation:Makeitveryobvious(clear)why(a)youneedtomatricu‐lateintheirprogramtoreachyourprofessionalorcareergoalsand(b)theirprogramisagoodfitforyourneeds.Think,ifyoulike,ofyourstatementofpurposeasamarketingtool.Themosteffectivead‐vertisementsmaketherecipientscometotheconclusion—asifontheirownvolition—thattheyneedtopurchasetheproductorservice.Youwantreadersofyourpersonalstatementtocometotheendandthink,“Ofcourse.OfcoursethisstudentneedstostudyXinourprogram.Itfitshergoals;andourprogramisobviouslyagreatmatchwithherinterests.”Andyougettherenotsimplybytellingthereadersthateachoftheirprogramsfitsyourgoalsandisagreatmatch:rather,youshowthereadersthesethingsthroughcarefuluseofconcrete,descriptiveexamplesandstatements.Moreover,youdon’tsimplystatethatyouareinterestedinABC.Instead,youstateyouareinterestedinABCbecauseofcharacterizingreasonsyouarticulate.

Usually,you’regivenapagelimitorwordlimitforyourstatement.Makesuretofollowtheguidelines.Iftheysay2–3pages,then4pageswillnotbeacceptable.It’syourresponsibilitytobeconcisewhileansweringallportionsofthequestion.So,iftheysay2–3pages,andyouhaveonly2pages(buthavebeencompleteinyouranswer),thenyou’rejustfine.Admissionsfolksappreciateapplicantswhocanbebriefandtothepoint.

Beingconsistentwiththeothermaterialinyourapplicationisimportant.LookatyourrésuméorCV:Whatsortofstoryisittelling?Whatsortofpersonisitpresenting?Youwanttobecharacterizingofyourself,becausethepersonalstatementoftenstandsinforaninterview.Howdoesyourpersonalstatementpresentyouasanapplicant?Whatarethemostimportantthingsaboutyourselfthatyouwanttheadmissionsfolkstoknow?ThenmakesurethatyourpersonalstatementcomplementsthevisionthatappearsonyourrésuméorCV.Donotsimplyberepetitiveofmaterialthat’spresentedelsewhere.Thepersonalstatementisyouropportunitytogointogreaterdepthaboutexperiencesyouhavehadthathavebroughtyoutothispointinyourlife.Youcannot—andshouldnot—mentionevery‐thingthat’sonyourrésuméorCVinyourpersonalstatement:beselective.Andtrynotjusttodescribewhatyoudid.Muchbetteristowriteabouthowvariousactivitiesorexperiencesaffectedyouormadeyoufeel:Whatdidyoulearnwhenyoudidsomething?Howdidsomethingchangeyouasaperson?Suchdetailsaremuchmorecompellingandconvincing.

Inyourstatement,bewareof“empty”adjectives.Hereisjustasmattering:admirable amazing awesome captivating challenging 

difficult enjoyable excellent exciting eye‐opening 

fabulous fascinating incredible inspiring interesting 

intriguing powerful remarkable rewarding rigorous 

stressful surprising transformative tremendous wonderful 

Page 16 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Writing Effective Personal Statements  (Andthelistgoeson.)Ifyoudescribeanactivityasbeinganythingontheabovelist,makesurethatyoualsostatewhyyoufoundittobeinterestingorinspiringorchallenging.Includespecific,concreteexamples.Remember:Somethingthat’sinterestingorinspiringorchallengingtoyoumightnotbethesametothepeoplereadingyourapplication.It’syourresponsibilitytoshowthereaderswhysome‐thingwasinterestingorinspiringorchallengingtoyou.

USELESSSENTENCE=“Theexperiencewasremarkable,andIamthankfulIwasabletodoit.”

BETTER=“TheexperiencewasremarkablebecauseIwitnessedtheday‐to‐daypressuresfacingteacherswhoworkinunderfundedurbanschoolsettings.”

EVENBETTER(avoidstheemptyadjectivealtogether)=“Throughthisexperience,Iwitnessedtheday‐to‐daypressuresfacingteacherswhoworkinunderfundedurbanschoolsettings.”

Finally,agoodstatementisbothcoherentandcorrect.Hereiswhereit’sagoodideatohaveotherpeoplereadoveryourstatement.Youwillnotwanttowaituntilthelastminutetowriteyourpersonalstatements.Theseareimportantpiecesofyourapplications—andyouhavecompletecontrolovertheircontents.Planplentyoftimetorevise,revise,andrevisesomemore.Onelawschooladmissionsdean,infact,hassaidthat,becauseyouhavealmostunlimitedtimetowriteyourpersonalstatements,theendresultscanbejustasreflectiveofyourtime‐managementskillsastheyareofyourwritingskillsandyourdiscernmentskills(withrespecttohowyou’vedecidedwhattoincludeinyourstatement).

Andhereareafewmorehints:

1. Rememberthatdifferenttypesofprogramshavedifferentexpectationsinthestatementsofpurposeyou’llwriteforthem.ForPh.D.programsinthesciences,forexample,rememberthatyourreaderswillbescien‐tists(thefacultymembersintheprogramtowhichyou’reapplying).It’simportantthatyouwritelikeasci‐entist.Yourreaderswillcaremoreaboutyourresearchintereststhanaboutyournon‐scientificbackgroundandexperiences.Sofocusonresearch.Theywanttobeabletoimagineyouasafuturecolleagueandasacontributortoyourscientificfield.(Thepointofthisexampleappliestoanypractitioner‐basedfieldaswell.Forexample,ifyou’reapplyingtoprogramsinsocialwork,education,criminaljustice,ornursing[forexam‐ple],rememberthatyourreaderswillbeattunedtocharacteristicsandattitudesofprofessionalsinthe“helping”professions—andthey’llbelookingforsuchmarkersinyourstatement.)

2. Youcanoftenaddressthekeyquestioninapersonal‐statementpromptbywritingsomethingakinto:“I’mapplyingtotheM.S.W.programattheUniversityofWashingtonbecauseI’minterestedinhelpingfamilieswhoareexperiencingdomesticconflicts.”Butnoticehowone‐dimensionalthatinformationis:Soyou’reanapplicantwho’sinterestedinhelpingfamilieswhoareexperiencingdomesticconflicts.Sowhat?Perhapsseveralotherapplicantsarealsointerestedinthesamething.Youwanttodifferentiateanddistinguishyourselffromthem,soyoushouldaddanadditionallayerofexplanation:youshouldadda“because”clausetoyourinterests.“I’minterestedinhelpingamelioratedomesticconflictsbecause....”Includingthatsortofcommentaryinyourpersonalstatementswillhelpthemrisetothetop.Thereaderswillactuallybegettingtoknowyouasaperson—toknowwhatmakesyoutick.There’sofcoursenorightorwrongexplanationastowhyyou’reinterestedinanytopic;butit’salwaysgoodtoprovideone.

3. Avoidbeingdeclarativeinyourstatementsthatdescribetheofferingsorspecialcharacteristicsofthepro‐gramstowhichyou’reapplying.Yes,it’sgreatthatyou’vedoneyourhomeworkabouttheprograms;butthereaderswillalreadyknowthesethingsabouttheirprograms.Instead,incorporateyourknowledgeoftheprograminadependentclausethathooksitselfontoaphrasethattellsthereadersomethingaboutyou—somethingheorshewouldotherwisenotknow(whilesimultaneouslyandeloquentlyindicatingthatyou’vedoneyourhomeworkabouttheprogram).

BAD=“TheM.P.H.programatNorthwesternwouldallowmetoselecttwoemphasisareaswithinagivenconcentration.”(Tooobvious.Thereadersalreadyknowthisfact.)

BETTER=“BecausetheM.P.H.programatNorthwesternwouldallowmetoselecttwoemphasisareaswith‐inagivenconcentration,Iwould....”(Youcandemonstratethatyouknowdetailsabouttheprogramwhilesimultaneouslytellingthereaderssomethingcaptivatingaboutyourself.)

Mapping a General Timetable for Graduate School |Graduate & Professional School Guide |Page 17  

Mapping a General Timetable for Graduate School  

QWhatshouldIbedoingthroughoutmycareerasaGrinnellstudentasIpreparetoapplytograd‐uateschool?Howdoesthetimingworkwhenitcomesdowntoapplying?

AInshort,it’snevertooearlytostartthinkingaboutwaysyoucanprepareyourselfforfurtherhighereducation.Takealookatthetimetablebelow,seewhereyoufit,andmakesurenottopanic!CounselorsattheCDOarealwayshappytomeetwithyoutoconsideryouroptionsandyourfuture.Notethatthedatessuggestedbelowareguidelinesonly;theyarebasedontypicalprogramswithdeadlinesinDecemberorJanuaryofyourfourthyear.Someprogramsmayhaveearlier,later,rolling,orspringapplicationdead‐lines.Takethesedeadlinesintoconsiderationwhenplanningyourowntimetable.

During Your First Year (Fall – Spring – Summer)  

●VisittheCDOtolearnaboutourservices

●Startyourrésumé(theCDOcanhelp)

●Assessyourinterests,abilities,personality,andvalues

●Identifypossiblemajors,careerfields,andprofessionalassociations

●Meetindividuallywithacareercounselortolearnhowtofindoutmoreaboutcareers,makedeci‐sions,andsetgoals

●UsetheCDOlendinglibrarytoaidinyourcareerresearch

●Takeavarietyofclassesinareasthatinterestyoutoexplorepossiblemajors

●Identifyandjoinstudentorganizationsorvolunteeractivitiesthatwillprovideleadershipopportu‐nities,enableyoutoexploreinterests,andbuildskills

●ObtainrelevantworkexperiencesthroughGRINNELLINKinternships,volunteeractivities,part‐timejobs,andsummerjobs

●AttendtheGRINNELLINKReceptioneachsemestertomeetalumniinvariousfields

●Developgoodtime‐management,goal‐setting,andstudyhabits;establishastrongGPADuring Your Second Year (Fall – Spring – Summer)  

●Continuefirst‐yearactivities

●Cultivaterelationshipswithcontactsinyourfieldofstudy

●AttendCDOpresentationstolearnmoreaboutrésuméwriting,interviewing,andinternships

●Conductresearchandsolicitinformationfromprofessionalsandupper‐classstudentstofinalizeyourchoiceofundergraduatemajor

●Meetindividuallywithacareercounselortodevelopshort‐andlong‐termgoals;learnwhererecentgraduatesinyourareasofinterestareworkingorstudying

●UsetheCDOlendinglibrarytoaidinyourcareerresearch

●Developandenhanceyourskillsthroughparticipatinginstudentorganizations,volunteeropportu‐nities,part‐timeemployment,andGRINNELLINKinternshipsorgrantprograminternships

●Buildskillsinareasofimportancetoemployers,includingoralandwrittencommunication,team‐work,leadership,problemsolving,andtechnologyandsocialnetworking

●Updateandreviseyourrésumé

●Explorestudyabroad,Grinnell‐in‐Washington,andGrinnell‐in‐Londonprograms

Page 18 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Mapping a General Timetable for Graduate School  

During Your Third Year (Fall – Spring – Summer)  

●Browseresourcesandguidestograduateprograms●AttendtheGraduateandProfessionalCareerFairinthefall●Contactadmissionsofficesandprogramstorequestinformation(ifanswerstoyourqueriesandconcernscannoteasilybefoundonline)

●Investigatetestrequirements,dates,locations;determineapplicationrequirementsanddeadlines●OutlineorupdateyourrésuméorCV,andbrainstormideasforinclusioninyourpersonalstatement(orstatementofpurpose)

●Consultwithcounselors,facultymembers,andGrinnellalumni●Prepareforstandardizedexams:useonlinepracticetestsandCDOresources●Investigatenationalscholarshipsanddeterminefinancialneeds●Takestandardizedexams●Beginnarrowingdownyourlistoftargetschoolsandprograms●Consideringtherequirementsofyourtargetschoolsandprograms,preparefulldraftsofyourrésu‐mé(orCV)andpersonalstatement(orstatementofpurpose)

During Your Fourth Year   

●Takestandardizedexams(ifyouhavenotyet)●Continuerefiningyourapplicationdocuments(résumé,CV,personalstatement,etc.)●Beclosetoknowingwhatschoolsyou’llbeapplyingto,andmakenoteofalldeadlinesonyourpersonalcalendar

●UsetheCDOandotherresources(includingtheWritingLab)toreviewyourapplicationmaterials●Researchfinancialaidsources,fellowships,andassistantships●Requestrecommendationsearlyfromfacultymembers●Applyforfellowships,grants,andassistantships

●OrderofficialtranscriptsfromtheOfficeoftheRegistrar;asktheRegistrartosendatranscriptwithyourfalltermgradesintimetomeettheapplicationdeadlines

●Finalizeyourpersonalstatement●Submityourapplications:Evenifdeadlinesarelater,earlyapplicationisbetter 

●Ifyouhaven’treceivedconfirmationalready,contactschoolsatleasttwoweeksbeforetheirdeadlinestomakesureyourapplicationsarecomplete

● Contactschoolsaboutthepossibilityofvisitingorschedulinginterviews●Completeappropriatefinancialaidforms(ifyouareapplyingforneed‐basedaid,youmayhavetofileacopyofyourfederaltaxreturn—sofileyourtaxreturnwellbeforetheAprildeadline)

 

●Discussacceptances,rejections,andothercareeroptionswithfacultymembersofCDOcounselors●Contactgraduateprogramrepresentativeswithyourdecisions●Ifyouwouldliketodeferenrollmentforoneortwoyears,contactyourgraduatedepartmentconcerningthatpossibility

●Ifrejected,contacttheschoolanddiscusshowtoimproveyourapplicationifyouwishtoapplyagainlater

●Sendthank‐younotestopeoplewhowroteyourrecommendationsorassistedyouintheprocess

Sep–O

ct 

Nov–Dec

 Dec–Jan–Feb

 Mar–Apr 

Pre‐Law at Grinnell |Graduate & Professional School Guide |Page 19  

Pre‐Law at Grinnell: The Basics  

QI’mplanningonapplyingtolawschool,butGrinnelldoesnothaveanestablishedpre‐lawcurriculum.WhatshouldIdo?

AIndeed.InkeepingwiththephilosophyofaliberalartseducationandGrinnell’sopencurriculum,noprescribedcoursesidentifystudentsas“pre‐law.”Ofcourse,youshouldalwaysbethoughtfulaboutyourcourseselections.Thedeansoflawschoolsnationwidelistthefourthingsanenteringstudentmustbeabletodotobesuccessfulinlawschool:

1. readcritically;

2. thinkanalytically;

3. writewell;and

4. speakwell.

Eachoftheseskillscanbedevelopedincoursesacrossthecurriculum.Noonemajorprovidesbetterpreparationforlawschoolthananother.Similarly,nosetofcoursesguaranteesadmission.Youshouldchoosecourseswithprofessorswhochallengeyoutoreadcritically,thinkanalytically,andwriteandspeakwell.Commonmajorsforstudentswhoaresuccessfulingainingadmissiontolawschoolsin‐cludephilosophy,politicalscience,history,English,andeconomics.

QIwanttolearnmoreaboutlawschool.Whataremyoptions?

AFirst,jointhepre‐lawlistservatGrinnellbysendingane‐mailtothateffecttotheCareerDevelop‐mentOfficeatcareer@grinnell.edu.Then,keepyoureyesopenforworkshops,presentations,recruit‐ingvisits,webinars,andotheropportunitiesforlearningmoreaboutlawschoolandlegalprofessions.Nomatterwhatyourcurrentlevelofinterestinlawis,youcanmakeanappointmenttodiscussyourplansbycontactingtheCDOviae‐mail(career@grinnell.edu)orbyphoneat(641)269‐4940.YoumightalsoconsiderattendingoneofseveralfreeLawSchoolForumsthatarelocatedinmajorcitiesthroughouttheUnitedStates.EachforumofferstheopportunitytotalkwithrepresentativesofLawSchoolAdmissionCouncil(LSAC)–memberlawschoolsfromacrosstheUSA;obtainadmissionmaterials,catalogs,andfinancialaidinformation;viewvideoprogramsaboutthelawschooladmissionprocess,legaleducationandcareers,andmulticulturalperspectivesonlegaleducation;andattendin‐formationsessionsonlawschooladmissions,financingalegaleducation,andissuesofimportancetomulticulturalapplicants.VisitthefollowingwebsitetoreviewtheLSACForumscheduleforupcomingeventdates:www.lsac.org/jd/choose/forums‐and‐other‐events.asp.NotealsothatrepresentativesofseverallawschoolstypicallyattendGrinnell’sGraduateandPro‐fessionalSchoolFair,heldinlateSeptemberorearlyOctober.Visitingwithlawschooladmissionsofficersinperson—eveniftheyrepresentschoolstowhichyouarenotplanningtoapply—isalwaysagoodwaytolearnwhatlawschoolsarereallylookingforintheirapplicants.Markthiseventonyourcalendarassoonasitisannounced!Youshouldalsotalkwithlawyersaboutyourinterestsandtheircareers.Butwhatifyoudon’tknowanylawyers?StopbytheCDO,andwecanhelpyouidentifyGrinnellalumniwithJ.D.degreeswhowouldlovetoserveasresourcesandinformalmentors.

   

Page 20 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Pre‐Law at Grinnell  

Pre‐Law at Grinnell: Law School Admission  

QWhatarethevariouscriteriathatlawschoolsuseformakingtheiradmissionsdecisions?HowcanIensureIhavestrongapplication?

ALawschoolsusevariouscriteriatodeterminetheiradmissionsdecisions.Forthemostcompetitivelawschools,thequantitativedata—yourLSATscoresandGPA—aregivengreatweight.Lesscompetitiveschoolsstillvaluethequantitativedatabutgiveaddedweighttootheraspectsofyourapplication.Thetypicalorderofimportanceforvariouscriteriaisasfollows:

1.LSATscores 6. Extracurricularactivities2. GPA 7. Workexperience3. Applicationessay(personalstatement) 8. Motivationforlawschool4. Lettersofrecommendation 9. Ethnicbackground5. Courseofundergraduatestudy(rigor) 10. Stateofresidency

 QHowdoIensureI’vegotacompellingandconvincingpersonalstatementtoaccompanymylawschoolapplication?

ARememberthatyouarealwayswelcometohaveyourpersonalstatementdraftscritiquedbycounselorsattheCDO.Beyondthetipsalreadygivenaboutthepersonalstatement(seepp.14–16),herearesomeadditionallawschool–specifictips(adaptedfromtheNationalAssociationofPre‐LawAdvisers):

DO... ●Bespecific,accurate,andtruthful.● Tellthereviewerswhyyouhavechosentopursueacareerinlaw.● Showthereviewerswhoyouare:Thisdocumentstandsinforyourinterview(inmostcases).● Ensureyourstatementsupportsandissupportedbytherestofyourapplication.● Lookbeyond“commonplace”extracurricularactivitiesorathleticexperience.● Acknowledgenegativesinyourfile.●Mentionsensitivesubjectsinanappropriateway(notoverlydramatically).

DON’T...●Usethethirdperson.● Giveyourstatementatitle.● Gushaboutlawschoolortheroleoflawinsociety.● Betoocynicalorcomeacrossasa“victim.”● Betoospecificaboutwhatyouwanttodowithyourlawdegree,unlessyourexperiencedemonstratesthatyourintendedpathisalogicalextensionofpreviousexperiences.

● Focustoomuchonanotherperson,evenifthispersonhasbeeninfluentialinyourlife.● Simplylisttheactivitiesandexperiencesthatarealreadyelsewhereinyourapplication.

QI’mworriedabouttheLawSchoolAdmissionTest(LSAT).HowcanIprepare?

AAllLSAC‐memberschoolsrequiretheLSATforallapplicants.TheLSATdoesnottestspecificknowledgeobtainedincollegeclassesandthusisintendedtogivenoadvantagetotest‐takersfromanyparticularacademicbackground.ScoredsectionsincludeoneReadingComprehensionsession,oneAnalyticalReasoningsection,andtwoLogicalReasoningsections(plusanadditionalunscoredsectionfromoneofthethreeareas).Theexamisofferedonlyfourtimesperyearandisbesttakeninthesummerbetweenyourthirdandfourthyears(ifyouplantogodirectlytolawschool).VisittheLSATInformationandTestDateswebsite:www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test‐dates‐deadlines.aspformoreinformation,includingupcomingtestdates.PracticetestsareavailableattheCDO;andGrinnellCollegesubsidizesparticipationinanonlinetest‐preparationcourseforbothcurrentstudentsandalumni.ContacttheCDOfordetails(e‐mailcareer@grinnell.edu).

Pre‐Law at Grinnell | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 21  

Mapping a General Timetable for Law School  

QIfIamplanningongoingdirectlytolawschoolafterGrinnell,whatsortoftimetableshouldIbeconsidering?

AGreatquestion!Notethat,ofallGrinnellianswhomatriculateatlawschool,nearlytwo‐thirdsarealum‐ni—meaningonlyone‐thirdofalllawschoolapplicantsgostraightfromGrinnelltolawschool.Thetimetablebelowpresumesyou’llbeinthatminority.ThescheduleisalsobasedonatypicalprogramwithaDecember/Januaryapplicationdeadline—althoughmostschoolsofferrollingadmissionsthatbeginasearlyasOctober.Applyingasearlyasyoucantolawschoolisalwaysawisemove. 

During Your Third Year (Fall – Spring)  

●JointheCDOpre‐lawlistserv(ifyouhaven’tdonesoalready)●Establishtieswithfacultymemberswhomaylaterwriteyourlettersofrecommendation●AttendtheGraduateandProfessionalSchoolFair●RegistertotaketheJuneLSATandbeginpreparingforthetest

During The Summer between your Third and Fourth Year  

●TaketheLSAT●Begindraftingyourpersonalstatement●Constructarésumétobeusedwithyourapplications●Researchlawschools;preparealistofplacestowhichyouwillapply●ReceiveLSATscoreandmeetwiththepre‐lawadviserattheCDOtodiscussschooloptions

During Your Fourth Year   

●RegisterwiththeLawSchoolDataAssemblyService(LSDAS)●Haveofficialtranscript(s)senttoLSDAS●CheckLSDASreportforaccuracy●RegisterforandtaketheOctoberLSATifyoudidnottakeitinJune(orifyouneedtoretake)●RequestlettersofrecommendationtobesenttoLSDAS●Finalizeyourpersonalstatementandanysupplementalstatements;havethemreviewedbyfolksintheWritingLab,byfolksattheCDO,andbyseveralothertrustedreaders

●AttendtheGraduateandProfessionalSchoolFairoralawforum 

●Completeandsendapplications●Begininvestigatingsourcesoffinancialaid;obtainapplications;submitasearlyaspossible 

●Checkwithlawschoolstoensureyourfilesarecomplete●Fileyourfinancialaidapplications●Haveanupdatedtranscriptwithyourfalltermgradessentdirectlytolawschools●Evaluateoffersofacceptanceandfinancialaidassoonastheycomein,notingthat(withtheex‐ceptionofearlydecisionoffersorforacademictermsbeginninginthespringorsummer)youwillnotberequiredtoplaceadepositatanyparticularschoolpriortoApril1

●Sendthank‐younotestopeoplewhowroteyourrecommendationsorassistedyouintheprocess

Sep–O

ct 

Dec

 Nov 

Page 22 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Pre‐Medicine at Grinnell  

Pre‐Medicine at Grinnell: The Basics  

QI’mplanningonapplyingtomedicalschool,butGrinnelldoesnothaveanestablishedpre‐medcurriculum.WhatshouldIdo?

AIndeed.InkeepingwiththephilosophyofaliberalartseducationandGrinnell’sopencurriculum,noprescribedcoursesidentifystudentsas“pre‐medicine.”Manystudentswhoultimatelyapplytomedi‐calschool—ortoveterinaryschool,dentalschool,physicians’assistant(P.A.)programs,master’sofpublichealth(M.P.H.)programs,andthelike—majorinbiology,chemistry,orbiologicalchemistry;butthechoiceofmajorisentirelyyours.Again:Amajorinscienceisnotrequiredforadmissiontomedicalschool.IfyouareplanningtoapplytomedicalschoolsoyoucanmatriculatethefallafteryougraduatefromGrinnell,however,youshouldgetstartedinyourfirstsemesterbytakingeitherBIO150orCHM129(orpossiblyCHM210ifyouhaveanAPchemistryscoreof4or5).QIwanttolearnmoreaboutpreparingformedicalschool.Whataremyoptions?

AFirst,jointhelistservoftheHealthProfessionsAdvisoryCommittee(HPAC)atGrinnell(seewww.grinnell.edu/academic/hpacfordetails).TheHPACcoordinatesactivitiesinvolvingthepreparationforcareersinthehealthprofessions,anditsmembersserveasadvisersforstudentswhoareplanningcareersinanyhealthcarefield.Thecommitteealsogathersinformationfortheevaluationofstudentsandisresponsibleforthepreparationofcommitteelettersofrecommendation.Pleasefeelfreetocon‐tactanymemberoftheHPAC(seelistattheaboveURL)orthepre‐medicalcounselorattheCDOwithquestionsyoumayhaveaboutpreparingforacareerinoneofthehealthprofessions.Notealsothatrepresentativesofseveralmedicalandhealth‐professionsschoolstypicallyattendGrin‐nell’sGraduateandProfessionalSchoolFair,heldinlateSeptemberorearlyOctober.Visitingwithadmissionsofficersinperson—eveniftheyrepresentschoolstowhichyouarenotplanningtoapply—isalwaysagoodwaytolearnwhatsuchschoolsarereallylookingforintheirapplicants.Markthiseventonyourcalendarassoonasitisannounced!QIknowthatmedicalschoolsrequirealotofprerequisites.Canyouidentifythemforme?

AYes.Herearetheminimumcourserequirementsformanymedicalschools.Notethatsomemedicalschoolshaveadditionalrequirementsandmaybemakingmorechangesinthenearfuture.

  ● Biology:1year(BIO251,252)(notethatBIO150isaprerequisiteforBIO251);  ● Chemistry:2years(CHM129,210,221,222);  ● English:1year(yourtutorialcountsforonesemester;secondsemestershouldstressliterature);  ● Physics:1year(PHY131,132);and

● CalculusI(calculusisnotrequiredforadmissiontomostmedicalschools;however,MAT131[CalculusI]isrequiredforphysicsatGrinnell,andMAT133[CalculusII]isrecommended).

QButwhatabouttimingoftheMCAT?

AForadmissiontomedicalschoolinthefallfollowinggraduationfromGrinnell,theMedicalCollegeAdmissionTest(MCAT)shouldbetakeninthespringofyourthirdyear.AllofthematerialcoveredinrequiredcoursesissubjecttoexaminationontheMCAT.Therefore,alloftherequirementslistedaboveshouldbecompletedbytheendofyourthirdyear.Note:ForincomingstudentswithoutanyAPcredits,you’llbetaking,onaverage,twocoursesinthesciencedivisionpersemester.

Pre‐Medicine at Grinnell | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 23  

Pre‐Medicine at Grinnell: Continuing to Prepare  QHowcanImakesureI’mwellpreparedformedicalschool?

AInshort,youshouldkeepinmindthevariousexperiencesthatmedicalschoolslookforinidealap‐plicants:Strongacademicability(asmeasuredbyGPAandMCATscores);researchexperience;health‐relatedexperience(suchasjobshadowingofphysicians);andvolunteerexperiencethatinvolvesworkingwithdiversepopulations.Somemedicalschoolswillplacemoreimportanceonre‐searchexperiencethanothers.Ifyouneedassistancefindingjob‐shadowingorvolunteeropportunities,feelfreetocontacttheCDOatanytime.Theseexperiencesareveryimportanttoyourapplications;youcannotexpectthatyourhighGPAandcompetitiveMCATscoresalonewillresultinoffersofadmissiontomedicalschool.AccordingtoDr.JimPhillips,seniorassociatedeanandprofessorofpediatricsatBaylorMedicalSchool,admissionsboardsconsidermanycriteria,withGPAandMCATscoresbeingthemostinfluen‐tial.InadditiontoGPAandMCATscores,thefollowingcriteria(indescendingorderofimportance)influenceadmissiontomedicalschool:

1. Statementofpurpose2. Lettersofrecommendation3. Interview4. Extracurricularactivities(includingvolunteeractivities)5. Health‐relatedexperiences(includingjobshadowing)orotherlifeexperiences6. Academicprogression(i.e.,haveyoushownimprovementduringyourcareerasastudent?)

 QIheardthey’remakingchangestotheMCAT.Howwilltheseaffectme?

AInshort,whenyouaresittingforthetestmatters.Youshouldfamiliarizeyourselfwiththelatestrel‐evantmaterialpresentedonthewebsiteoftheAssociationofAmericanColleges(AAMC).ThecurrentMCATinvolvesquestionsonverbalreasoning,physicalsciences,andbiologicalsciences—andalsoincludesascoredwritingsample.Startingin2015,therevisedMCATwillcoverfourcoreareas:

1. BiologicalandBiochemicalFoundationsofLivingSystems;2. ChemicalandPhysicalFoundationsofBiologicalSystems;3. Psychological,Social,andBiologicalFoundationsofBehavior;and4. CriticalAnalysisandReasoningSkills

IfyouwillbetakingtheMCATin2015orlater,youshoulddownloadapreviewguidefromthiswebsite:www.aamc.org/students/download/266006/data/2015previewguide.pdf.Frequentlyaskedquestionsaboutthechangesareansweredhere:www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/mcat2015/faqs/.Youwillnote,especially,theremovalofthewritingsampleandadditionofacoreareaemphasizingpsychologyandsociology.Asaresultofthesechanges,youmaybewisetoenrollinoneintroductory‐levelcourseinpsychologyorsociology(e.g.,PSY113orSOC111)beforesittingfortheMCAT.

 QHowshouldIpreparefortheMCAT?

ATheanswertothisquestionvariesbyindividual—but,inallcases,youshouldprepare.Consultwithyourfacultyadviserormeetwiththepre‐medadviserattheCDOtodiscussindividualstrategiesandapproaches.NotealsothatGrinnellCollegesubsidizesparticipationinanonlinetest‐preparationcourseforbothcurrentstudentsandalumni.ContacttheCDOfordetails(e‐mailcareer@grinnell.edu).

Page 24 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Pre‐Medicine at Grinnell   

Mapping a General Timetable for Medical School  

QIfIamplanningongoingdirectlytomedicalschoolafterGrinnell,whatsortoftimetableshouldIbeconsidering?

AGreatquestion!Notethattheaverageageofmatriculantstomedicalschoolisaround24yearsold—so,clearly,noteveryonegoesdirectlytomedicalschoolafterfinishinghisorherundergraduatedegree.As‐sumingyourgoalisaseamlesstransitionfromundergraduatetomedicalschool,though,keepthefollow‐ingtimelineinmind.

During Your First Two Years and the Fall of Your Third Year  

●JointheHPAClistserv(seep.22ofthisguide).●AttendtherequiredfallandspringHPACpresentationsforpotentialpre‐medstudents.●Takethegeneralmedicalschoolprerequisites(listedonp.22ofthisguide).●Becomeinvolvedwithvolunteerandextracurricular(leadership)activities.(Note:Youdonotneedtobeoverinvolved.Deeperinvolvementinamorelimitednumberofactivitiesismoremeaningfulthansu‐perficialinvolvementinalargearrayofactivities.)

●Beginshadowingdoctorsandlearningmore,throughfirst‐handexperience,aboutthehealthprofession.●Considerwaystoparticipateinundergraduateresearch(andthendoso).●Strategicallyevaluatestudy‐abroadopportunities(participating,forexample,inasummerorshort‐termsession,perhapsonewithamedicaltheme).

●Gettoknowfacultymemberswell;shareyouraspirationswiththem.●Dowellinyouracademicwork.●Remembernottofeeloverwhelmed:TakeadvantageoftheCDO,HPACandSHOT(StudentsonHealth‐OrientedTracks)presentationsandworkshops,theScienceLearningCenter,theMathLab,theWritingLab,StudentHealthandCounselingServices,andothercentersandservicesoncampustohelpyoureachyourgoals.

During the Spring and Summer of Your Third Year  

●StudyforandtaketheMCAT;mostGrinnellians(intendingtogodirectlyontomedicalschool)taketheMCATononeofthetestdatesinAprilthroughJuly.(NotethatyourMCATscoresarevalidforathree‐yearperiod.)

●Visitandfamiliarizeyourselfwiththe“MedicalSchoolApplicationTimetable”pageontheHPACwebsite(seewww.grinnell.edu/academic/hpac/timetable).Hereyouwillfinddetailedinstructions—andim‐portantdeadlines—regardingformsyouneedtocompleteinorderforyourcommitteelettersofrec‐ommendationtobeprepared.

●Aimtoapplyasearlyaspossibletoyourmedicalschoolsofchoice.Youshouldbeginpreparingyourstatementsofpurpose,forexample,inthesummer.Ifyou’dlikehelpassessingviablemedicalschoolstowhichyoushouldapply,consultwiththepre‐medadviserattheCDO.

●FilloutyourAMCASprimaryapplicationonline.AMCASwillsendyourapplicationtotheschoolsyouindicate.(Grinnelliansusuallyapplytobetweensixandtenschools.)Aspartofthisprocess,youwillneedtorequestfromtheGrinnellRegistrarthatofficialtranscriptsbesentfromthecollege.Youwillalsoin‐dicatethatthecollegewillbesubmittingacommitteeletteronyourbehalf.

During the Fall of Your Fourth Year  

●Completesecondaryapplicationsformedicalschoolsthatwishtopursuefurtheractiononyourappli‐cation.(YouwillreceivetheseapplicationsfourtosixweeksaftersubmittingyourprimaryapplicationtoAMCAS.)Onceyoureceivesecondaryapplications,onlythendoyourequestthatacommitteeletterbesentfromGrinnell.

●PrepareforinterviewsbyvisitingtheCDOformockinterviews.●Awaitoffersofadmission.Sharethegoodnewswithfamily,friends,faculty,andothermentors.

Pre‐Business at Grinnell | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 25  

Pre‐Business at Grinnell: The Basics  

QIwanttogotobusinessschool,butGrinnelldoesnothaveanestablishedpre‐businesscurricu‐lum.WhatshouldIdo?

AWell,you’reinluck.Why?Businessschoolsaremoreconcernedwithexperiencethantheyarewithacademics—soyoumaymajorinwhateveryouwish.Ofcourseyouwanttodowellacademicallysothatyoucansecureagoodjobandgarnergoodexperience.QNo,really.I’veworkedduringthesummersandthushaveplentyoffull‐timeworkexperience.HowshouldIprepareforgoingdirectlytobusinessschoolaftergraduatingfromGrinnell?

AAh.Let’sconsideryouroptions.TheMasterofBusinessAdministration(MBA)degreeisaprofes‐sionaldegreethatintegratesleadership,managementexperiences,andteamprojectsintotheclass‐roomenvironment.FolkswhocompleteMBAdegreeshavebeenbroadlytrainedandareexpectedtobehighlyskilledindividualswhocangoontoassumekeypositionsinawidevarietyofsettings(e.g.,corporate,healthcare,nonprofit,entrepreneurial,andmore).Experienceisakeyfactorinselectionofapplicantsformostbusinessschools.Althoughsomebusinessschoolswillacceptstudentsdirectlyfromundergraduateprograms,themorecompetitivegraduateprogramsinbusinessaretypicallylookingfortwotofouryearsoffull‐timeworkexperience.Youshouldreadthisrequirementasindicatingtwotofouryearsoffull‐time,post‐Grinnellworkexperi‐ence.Businessschoolsarewillingtoconsiderexperiencefromarangeofindustriesandopportunities(nonprofit,service,entrepreneurial,government,andmore).Aslongasyouhavedevelopedthequan‐titative,analytical,teamwork,leadership,communication,andotherskillsbusinessschoolsseek,youcanstillbeacompetitiveapplicantwithout“traditional”businessexperience.Ifyoudecidetoattendaschoolthatwillacceptapplicantswithoutatleastsomefull‐timeworkexperi‐ence,donotexpectyourdegreetohavethatmuchcachet.ThejobsforwhichMBAgraduatesarebestremuneratedrequirebothworkhistoryandthedegree—notsimplythedegree.Infact,withanMBAinhand,you’reactuallyatadisadvantagewhenapplyingforentry‐levelpositions.So,donotunderesti‐matethevalueofworkexperiencebeforeapplyingtoandenrollinginbusinessschool.QOkay,sohowdoIdetermineMBAprogramsthatwillbegoodfitsforme?

AIndividualsoftenplacemoreemphasisonwhichschoolsmightacceptthemthanfocusingonwhichschoolsarebestforthembasedontheirinterestsandgoals.Schoolsvaryincurricula,specialtyareas,teachingmethodologies,andoverallatmosphere.Youshouldconsidertheseandotherfactorsbeforeyoubegintheapplicationprocess.CheckoutthisaffiliatedwebsiteoftheGraduateManagementAd‐missionsCouncil(www.mba.com)toexplorevariousprograms.Notethat,amongpostgraduatede‐grees,MBAdegreesareamongthemostflexible.Individualschoolsoftendelivertheircurriculathroughanumberofchannels(fulltime,parttime,remotely,hybrid,etc.);youhavemanyoptionstoweighinevaluatingthebestfitforyoursituationandneeds.QCanyoutellmeabouttheapplicationtimelinetobusinessschool?

AManyschoolshavemultipleroundsofapplications,withfinaldeadlines(forfallmatriculants)typi‐callyfallinginearlyspring.Aswithmanygraduateprograms,youarebestservedifyouapplyearly,sincemanyadmissionsdecisionswillbemadebeforetheofficialdeadlines.Applicationsforfallma‐triculationmaybereviewedasearlyasOctoberandNovember—butmakesuretoreadeachschool’sinformationregardingdeadlinesandadmissionsprocedures. 

Page 26 | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Pre‐Business at Grinnell   

Pre‐Business at Grinnell: The Application  

QWhat’sthistalkaboutFullbridgeandTuck“Bridge”andtheBoothSummerBusinessProgram?

ATheseso‐calledbusinessbridgeprograms,tousethelanguageoftheFullbridgeProgram,prepare“high‐potentialcollegeanduniversitystudentsandrecentgraduatestosuccessfullytransitionbetweentraditionaleducationandthecomplexdemandsofthemodernworkplace.”Participatinginsuchpro‐gramscanbeespeciallyusefulforstudentsatliberalartscollegeswhofeeltheylackcertainsocialandculturalcapitalnecessaryforunderstanding,forexample,thewaysofthecorporateorfinancialworld.Studentspotentiallyinterestedinsomedayattendingbusinessschoolshouldinvestigatethepossibili‐tiesofsuchprogramsandpayattentiontoscholarshipoptionsthatmaybeofferedthroughtheCDO.QDoIreallyneedtotaketheGMATifIplantoapplytobusinessschool?

AGreatquestion!TheGraduateManagementAdmissionTest(GMAT)usedtobethestandardizedtestmostcommonlytakenbybusinessschoolaspirants.However,thesedays,themorecompetitivebusinessschools(especially)areacceptingGREscoresinlieuofGMATscores.Checkwiththewebsitesoftheschoolstowhichyouwishtoapplyforparticularrequirements.TolearnmoreabouttheGMAT,checkoutthewebsiteoftheGraduateManagementAdmissionsCouncil(www.gmac.com).(Note:AsofDecember2012,feesfortakingtheGMATare$250;theGREis$175.)

 

QWhatmakesanapplicationtobusinessschoolstandout?

AEssaysareextremelyinfluentialinthebusinessschooladmissionsprocess.Inmanycases,yourper‐sonalstatementswillbegivenasmuchorevenmoreweightthanyourundergraduategrades,standard‐izedtestscores,ortheprominenceofyourpastemployers.Sothemannerinwhichyoudescribeyourworkexperienceanddiscussyourgoalsandachievements(bothprofessionalandpersonal)canhaveamajorimpactonthedispositionofyourapplication.Youmustmakesurethatyou’vedoneyourhome‐workandaretargetingschoolsthathaveofferingsthatfitwellwithyourinterestsandgoals.

Eachapplicationwillalsoincludeacopyofyourcurrentrésumé,lettersofrecommendation(usual‐lyatleasttwo),andtheubiquitousapplicationfee.(Notethatsomebusinessschools,suchasthoseatColumbia,Harvard,andStanford,haveapplicationfeesof$250ormore;keeparunningtallyofthesefeesinmindasyou’reselectingyourtargetschools.)Andhere’satellingnumberthatspeakstotheimportofpre–businessschoolexperience:TheaverageageofGMAT‐takersisaround27yearsold.

 

QHowcanIprepareforabusinessschoolinterview?

AManybusinessschoolsrequireorofferoptionalinterviews.TheMBAadmissionsinterviewissimilartoanemploymentinterview.Youaregiventhechancetohighlightyouraccomplishments,skills,strengths,andpersonalqualities.Thefocusoftheinterviewwillbeyourworkexperience,thebene‐fitofanMBAtoyouatthispointinyourcareer,andthegoalsthatyouwishtoachieve.Youshould(ofcourse)carefullyresearchtheprogrambeforeinterviewing,soyoucanbeclearastowhyyouwishtopursueanMBAatthatschoolandhowthatprogramparticularlyfitsyourgoals.Interviewsmaybeconductedbyfacultymembers,membersoftheadmissionsstaff,orevenalumnioftheprogram.

Ifyouareofferedanoptionalinterview,inmostcasesyoushouldaccept.Interviewoffersoftensignalthataprogramisinterestedinyoubutwishestolearnabitmore.Preparingforaninterviewisalsoagreatopportunityforyoutogathermoreinformationabouttheprogramandhelpmakeadecisionaboutwhethertheprogramisagoodfit.Talkingwithalumniisagreatwaytoprepareforbusinessschoolinterviews;contacttheCDOforassistanceinidentifyingGrinnellianswhomayhaveMBAde‐greesfromyourtargetschools.Also,counselorsattheCDOwouldbehappytocarryoutmockinter‐viewsviaphoneorSkype.

Options & Information for International Students | Graduate & Professional School Guide | Page 27  

Options and Information for International Students  

QI’maninternationalstudent.I’vereadthroughthisguideandhavelearnedalot—butdoesallthisadviceapplytome,too?

AAlas,no(asyou’veprobablycometoexpectbynow).Thenewsisbothgoodandbad,dependingonyoursituation(and“dependingonyoursituation”isalsosomethingyou’velikelyheardrepeatedlytodate).First,thegoodnews:Ifyou’replanningtoapplytograduateschoolintheUnitedStates—thatis,toadiscipline‐basedmaster’sordoctoralprogram—you’reinluck.Youwillfollowmanyofthesamestepsthatdomesticapplicantswill;andyou’llgenerallybeeligibleforthesametypesofinstitutionalfunding(throughfellowships,teachingassistantships,researchassistantships,tuitionwaivers,andthelike).Inmostcases,yourvisawillbeextendedforthedurationofyourstudies—thoughyoushouldalwaysconsultwiththeGrinnell’sOfficeofInternationalStudentAffairs(aswellaswiththeequivalentsatyourtargetschools).Youwillnotbeeligibleforfederallyfundedstudentloans;butyoushouldrethinkthepossibilitiesifyoumustresorttoborrowingmoneytopayforadiscipline‐basedmaster’sordoc‐toralprogram.Notethat,withanundergraduatedegreefromaU.S.institutionofhighereducation,youshouldnotneedtotakeorreportTOEFL(TestofEnglishasaForeignLanguage)scoresaspartofyourapplicationtograduateschool,evenifyournativelanguageisnotEnglish.AndifyournativelanguageisnotEnglish,youhavethefurtherpotentialbenefitofservingasalanguageexpert,researchassistant,orteachingassistantforundergraduatecoursesinyournativelanguageatyourgraduateinstitution.Now,thebadnews:Ifyou’replanningtoapplytomedicalschoolintheUnitedStates,you’llfacetoughcompetition.Public(state)schoolsgenerallydonotevenconsiderapplicationsfrominternation‐alstudents.Privateschoolsmightormightnot—butthecompetitionforspotsisfierce.YoushouldhavestellarMCATscores,astellarGPA,andstellarexperiences(research,volunteer,service,leader‐ship)toconsideryourselfcompetitiveandeven,really,tobothertoapplyinthefirstplace.Alas.Thenot‐so‐badnewsisthatadmissiontolawschoolandbusinessschoolintheUnitedStatesismuchlesspreferentialthanadmissiontomedicalschool.Buteventhisnewshasasourside:Studentsgenerallypayforlawschoolandbusinessschoolthemselves(orthroughloans).Ifyouareinde‐pendentlywealthyandcanaffordthetuitionandlivingexpenses,thenyouhaveasgoodachanceasanyoneofgainingadmissiontoaU.S.lawschoolorbusinessschool.Ifyouwillneedtorelyonloans,youropportunitiesarelimited.Lawschoolsandbusinessschoolsofferfewtonofellowships;moststudentsrelyonstudentloans(formostofwhich,asaninternationalstudent,youwillnotbeeligible).Again,alas.

QI’mplanningtoapplytograduateprogramsabroad.CantheCDOhelpmewithmyapplications?

ACertainly—althoughtheadviceandsuggestionsweofferwillbebasedonourunderstandingsofhowgraduateandprofessionalschoolsoperateintheUnitedStates.Certainprinciplesaretransfer‐rable,suchashowtocometothedecisiontoapplytograduateschool(seepp.2–8ofthisguide)whatmakesforastrongpersonalstatement(pp.14–16),howtoaskforlettersofrecommendation(p.14),andhowtoplanaheadtomakesureyoudon’tmissdeadlinesorotheropportunities(p.13).Otherfactorsarespecifictoparticularcountriesandprograms,soyouwouldbewisetoseekexpertadviceelsewhere,aswell.Thebestadvice,asalways,istodothoroughhomework:Researchthepossibilitiesandtalkwithasmanyknowledgeablepeopleyoucantotriangulateyourdata.