Graduate School Admissions: 101

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Discussion Points“From Decision to Enrolling”

• Self-Reflection• Research/Compare• Identify your affinity schools• Become the “whole package”• Apply• Follow up• Whitman Programs• Q&A

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Self/Reflection

YOU

Identify your interests

Identify your abilities

Identify your skills

Identify your values

Identify your work habits

Identify your Goals

Appropriate Credentials

External Validation

Internal Validation

Marketable Acumen

Your Ideal Career

Where are you now, and what is needed to get you to

where you want to be?

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Self-Reflection

Identify your career goalsResearch your field or functional area Is graduate school required/right for you?When should you do it?What differentiates you from others? How

can you compete?Can you identify the “benefits” in pursuing

graduate education?

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Research/Compare: Work Backwards

What does your ideal profession look like? Research the profession, understand the KS&A’s of the career

Understand the industry, and the top companies within that industry Research various roles within a profession. Where is the growth and

areas of opportunity? What credentials are necessary for this profession? What are minimum

requirements, ideal requirements, and exemplary areas of opportunity? Find professional organizations associated with your field and what

their backgrounds are Conduct informational interviews, learn from alumni in these fields

Occupational Outlook Handbook, Hoovers, CareerOneStop.org, WetFeet, Career Center!

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Research/Compare: Graduate Degree Offerings

What type of program does your chosen professional require? How can you be competitive in the marketplace?

Determine what makes a good program (from multiple perspectives, including your own!)

Review graduate program websites, obtain printed literature.

Compare strengths and weaknesses. Make tables and analyze.

Where are alumni? What research has been done in the field by faculty? How is the school ranked? What is the reputation of the program, and how has the school done in placing their students?

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Identify your “Affinity Schools”

• What schools do you identify with? What is important to you (other than the degree)

• Identify top choice programs to apply for– Schools you can definitely get in– Schools you are likely to get in – Aspiration schools

• Prioritize and Analyze

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ExperientialAcademic

Interpersonal

You:MarketableAcumen &

Differentiated

Excellence

Becoming the Complete Package

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Building your Profile:“Becoming the whole package”

• Academics• Extracurricular/Leadership

Involvement• Work Experience/Internship• Developing written and verbal

expression• Membership to professional

organizations• Depth: Its what you take, not just

what is on the diploma!

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Learn what it takes…

• If possible, coordinate visits to each of your selected programs– Speak with graduate admissions

representatives, program directors, faculty, current students and alumni if possible

• Research what graduate programs in your field look for in an applicant (fast forward to help you plan for today)

• Ask Questions! It is a two way street

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The Application (Part II Workshop)• Find out what is required for each school and the

application deadlines• Determine which application items need to be sent where:

– Official Transcripts– Admissions Essays– Application– Letters of Recommendation– Standardized Exam (GMAT)– Writing Sample– Interview– Resume

• Allow for ample time to complete each item• Discussion of the typical recruiting cycle (deadlines)

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Application Discussions

• Errors in an application– Preventable vs. Unpreventable measures– Case studies

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Financing your degree

• What loans are available?• How do I find out what scholarships

are available?• Assistantships? GA, SA?• Other options?

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Follow up

• Thank people for your visit – setting the stage

• Directly contact assistantship administrators

• Follow up with other perspectives that you engaged with and look for “word-of-mouth”

• Post Visit “To-Do’s” for your self – Debrief

• Informational Interviews

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Remember: When it comes to your future, use your SMARTS!

S- Searching

M- Masterfully

A- Always

R- Reaps

T- Tremendous

S- Success

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Contact

Joshua LaFaveDirector of Graduate Enrollment315-443-3497jjlafave@syr.edu