Presentation from mentoring session about Searching and Applying for Graduate School. The session was offered at William Paterson University on March 31, 2016.

1. Thinking of going to Graduate
School?
A Mentoring Session with IRACDA Postdoc Fellows
March 31, 2016

2. How is the session organized
1. Three discussion groups (prepare your questions):
a. Suzanne - Reasons to go to graduate school (+career
options after PhD)
b. Harita - What is it like to be a graduate student
c. Sofya - How I applied to Graduate School
2. Presentation

3. BAD Reasons to go to Graduate School
❏ Someone in your family told you to go
❏ Your best friend is going
❏ You aren’t ready to start working for a living
❏ You don’t know what else to do
❏ You want to get rich quick

4. GOOD Reasons to go to Graduate School
❏ You are genuinely interested in learning more about the subject
❏ You loved doing undergraduate research
❏ You always wanted to teach at a college/university
❏ You enjoy solving problems and being challenged
❏ You want to make scientific contributions that impact society
❏ Your career goals require a higher degree
❏ You want higher earning potential

6. Levels of Graduate School
❏ Master’s Degree (1-2 years)
❏ Thesis based or Coursework
❏ You pay
❏ PhD (4-7 years)
❏ Dissertation
❏ Tuition is covered and you get a stipend - They pay you!
Some programs require a master’s along the way, others don’t

9. What will you do as a graduate student?
1. Take classes - 6-12 courses
2. Do research - Lab rotations/Original research
3. Teach - Teaching assistant/Mentor other students
4. Present your findings - Write/Give presentations

10. Characteristics of a successful graduate
student
❏ Intelligent
❏ Motivated
❏ Self disciplined
❏ Has Perseverance

11. Career Options with a PhD
● Researcher - academia or in “industry” (Pharma/Biotech)
● Education - teaching or curriculum development
● Consultant - healthcare industry
● Government Agencies - FDA, science policy
● Sales - pharmaceutical rep, science supply companies
● Technology Transfer - help universities go from bench to market
● Scientific writer

12. Myths about Graduate School
1. Graduate school is right for everyone
2. Graduate school is like “College the sequel”
3. I need to know exactly what research I want to do before choosing a
school
4. I am the only person who is unfamiliar with the application process
5. If one part of my application is weak, I will not be accepted
6. If I have a perfect GRE and GPA, I am guaranteed to be accepted
7. I am only a junior so it is too soon to be thinking about graduate school

13. How to choose a program
1. Discipline and sub-areas that you like/love
a. Talk to advisors, professors, graduate students
b. Find publications in your discipline of interest
c. Check career opportunities and job market
2. The people
a. Faculty expertise
b. Publications
c. How well known
d. Do you find someone you want to work with?

14. How to choose a program
3. The program
a. How long officially/on average? How many credits?
b. Courses
c. Exams (preliminary, final), thesis
d. Program ranking, school reputation
e. How is job placement for alumni?
f. Contact program director
4. The place
a. School size, program size
b. Location, setting, community and surroundings
c. Housing, transportation, cost of living

15. How to choose a program
5. The price
a. SHOULD NOT pay for PhD
b. You are paid by Research/Graduate/Teaching Assistantship
c. Medical and Dental Insurance
6. Other considerations
a. Resources for women
b. Resources for minorities
c. Diversity

16. Application Components
1. Application for Admission
2. Personal Statement/Writing Sample (assay)
3. Three Letters of Recommendation
4. Official Transcripts Requested from Each University (allow 2-3 months)
5. Standardized Test Scores (GRE)
6. Resume
7. Fee Waiver Request
8. Application for Financial Aid
9. Application for Fellowships
10. Copy of Income Tax Return
11. Other Information Request

17. Personal
Statement/Writing
Sample
Letters of
Recommendation
Transcripts GPA and
Standardized Test
Scores (GRE)
Tailored to a program:
Why this program?
What can you offer to the
program?
What are your
achievements in the field?
What are your goals?
What faculty are of
interest to you and why?
3 letters from people who
know you well:
Research advisor, Upper
level courses
Influential authors for
“strong” letters
Provide everything that
professor needs to write
and mail the letter
Follow-up nicely and verify
that the letters were
received
From each
college/university you
have attended
Request 2-3 months
before the deadline
Need more time if
attended university
outside of US
No GPA that will secure
your admittance (try to
maintain above 3.0, 3.5 for
very competitive)
Good grades in relevant
courses
Same for GRE scores:
requirements vary
STEM programs - math

18. Application Timeline
(Start EARLY)
First two years: GPA, curriculum, class participation, talk to professors, academic year research
Junior Year Spring Junior Year Summer
1. What are your interests? Career plans,
programs?
2. Search programs, funding. Talk to faculty,
advisors, etc.
3. Find research opportunities (internships, summer)
1. Rough list of programs and funding sources.
2. Start writing personal statement.
3. Begin studying for GRE
4. Summer research
5. Networking
Senior Year Fall Senior Year Late Fall/Early Spring
1. Final list of programs with admission information
2. Test preparation and take the test by the end of
October
3. Contact references by the end of November
1. Complete applications (December-January)
2. Fellowships applications (November)
3. Visit the programs, open houses, etc.
4. Prepare for interviews

19. Organize your application process (example)

20. Good luck!
COMMUNICATION is a key to success (not the only one)
● Talking to people
● Asking questions
● Sending e-mails
● Expressing your interests in writing
● Asking for help and advice

21. Resources
● www.gradschools.com/: Directory of schools
● https://www.petersons.com - graduate programs
● www.gre.org - GRE admission exam
● http://gsnb.rutgers.edu - Rutgers Grad School
● http://lifesci.rutgers.edu/~molbiosci/ - Molecular
Biosciences (Interdisciplinary)
● http://lifehacker.com/seven-things-i-wish-i-knew-
before-going-to-graduate-sch-1609488711
● https://www.sciencemag.org/careers
● http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/
● http://chronicle.com/article/How-to-Win-a-
Graduate/46782
Conferences/networking/mentoring:
● http://www.theleadershipalliance.org/Default.aspx
● https://sacnas.org/
● http://www.abrcms.org/
● http://www.emerging-researchers.org/
● http://www.cur.org/
● http://www.shpe.org/
● http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/
● http://www.biophysics.
org/AboutUs/Volunteer/Mentoring/tabid/2282/Default.aspx
● http://www.ascb.org/mentoring-in-active-learning-and-teaching-
malt/
● https://www.millionwomenmentors.org/

22. Thank you
● You
● Dr. Monroe
● Biology and Biotechnology Club
● William Paterson University
● Rutgers University and INSPIRE program
● RWJMS and Rutgers Grad School offices
● Dr. Evelyn S. Erenrich, Assistant Dean Rutgers Grad School

23. “Two truths and a lie”
#PhDWPUspring2016 or sborinskaya.wordpress.com (reply to post)