Am I Ready?

The decision to attend graduate school and how soon after the completion of your bachelor’s degree will be dictated by your individual situation.  Have you had an enriching undergraduate experience to feel confident about choosing your field of graduate interest?  Have these experiences also resulted in feeling not only competitive in the admissions process but competent about pursuing graduate study?  Do you have the motivation and commitment to engage in a course of study that will involve at least two years at the master’s level to an average of 5-6 years (variable) at the Ph.D. level?  If you are hesitant to respond, you may find that you would benefit more from working first to assess your career goals as well as to develop your experience.  Simultaneously, you may consider some additional coursework to bridge your interest, especially if you are choosing a course of study different from your bachelor’s degree or if you are concerned about the strength of your undergraduate record.  However, if the answer to these questions is YES, then consider applying to graduate programs immediately following your bachelor’s degree.  Whichever best describes your situation, the following information provides a guide to the graduate school application process. 

How to Get Started

Ideally, your focus on the graduate school application process should start at least one full year in advance of when you would expect to begin the graduate program.  To adequately explore graduate school opportunities and prepare accordingly, you first need to gather information to use in making the right decision. 

Your first job is to identify the field of study you would like to pursue and then find resources that point you to graduate school programs in your field.  Although you may be sure you want to continue your education, you may not know how your interest is defined by the various graduate programs.  A great place to start is the Career and Graduate School Resource Center, located in room 114 South Hall, which provides comprehensive books and guides on various graduate fields. 

Next, you need to identify programs where you would like to apply.  Consider gleaning information from general Web sites such as GradSchools.com or Peterson's. These sites may give you some direction about the type of graduate programs that appeal to you most and provide a list of institutions by area of interest from which you can then obtain either an email address or a direct link to the university Web site for more detailed information.  On the university Web site you are specifically looking for a list of faculty members in your field (so you can email them directly about your interest in their graduate program), an online application, application requirements and deadline dates. 

To further your search on faculty members whose research interests parallel your own, you can go to the Harvest UC Davis Library Catalog and look up what books and/or articles the professors have recently published.  If, after perusing the books and articles, you find research interests that match your own, you will have that much more of a compelling reason to indicate why you’re interested in that particular program.  You can also read faculty members’ Web pages, which often include a curriculum vitae and list of publications.

Another strategy in exploring graduate school programs is to consult with your major advisor, professors and graduate students in your area of interest on our campus as well as on other campuses.  They may be able to provide suggestions about schools to consider as well as some important information about the reputation of the school or the quality of the faculty teaching there.  Getting their perspectives on the details of their graduate programs as well as hearing about the latest work being done in their fields will help you decide about applying to their school.  Graduate students are a particularly valuable source of information since they have recently gone through this process and may be able to share their experiences with you.  If visiting a prospective campus is feasible, do it.  Understanding the “campus culture” of these various campuses may steer your decision toward or away from a particular institution.  Don’t just show up on their doorstep for a visit.  Be sure to call ahead so they can plan for your visit.

Finally, every October Advising Services hosts Graduate School Information Day.  Representatives from a wide variety of graduate programs visit the campus to recruit UC Davis students.  The event is a great opportunity for you to obtain first-hand information on the schools of your choice.  Visit Graduate School Information Day for date, time and location.

What Graduate Schools Are Looking For
Typically, graduate schools will evaluate you in five different areas:  grade point average (GPA), Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and experience.  Each institution’s departmental faculty decides upon admission requirements for its prospective students.  Therefore, you may find other factors taken into consideration as well (e.g. personal interviews or writing samples).

GPA
The GPA is a standard estimate of your aptitude to be academically successful in graduate school.  GPAs are calculated in a number of ways:  cumulative, last 90 units earned, or by major.  You will need to check with individual institutions to see how they handle GPA calculation and what their requirements are. 

GRE
The GRE is required by most universities in the United States.  It is used not only for purposes of admission, but is sometimes also used (in conjunction with other criteria) to award fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.  The General exam tests you in three areas:  VERBAL (analogies, antonyms, sentence completion, reading comprehension), QUANTITATIVE (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis, quantitative comparison, problem solving) and ANALYTICAL WRITING.  The exam is computer-based and is offered in various locations throughout California.  The closest Prometric Center to UC Davis is in Fair Oaks.  At this location the GRE is offered six days a week, year round.  For more detailed information, please review the handout How to Prepare for the GRE.

The GRE Subject Test is required by some graduate programs, but certainly not all of them.  Check with the institutions to see if it is required.  The Subject Test is offered three times a year (November, December and April) by the paper and pencil method.  Free downloadable preparation materials are also available at GRE,

but study guides are also available at your local bookstore. 

Letters of Recommendation
Getting these letters, which are very important in the application process, seems to cause the most stress for students.  Typically you will need to contact three writers.  Depending upon the requirements of your program they may be from faculty, internship supervisors, employers or others who can confidently discuss your potential for graduate-level work.  See our handout on Strategies for Obtaining Letters of Recommendation for more helpful information.

Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose (sometimes referred to as the “essay” or “statement of professional goals”) is your opportunity to state the reasons you are interested in attending a specific graduate program.  Most students do not realize how difficult it is to write a concise statement about themselves.  Highlight how you became interested in the field and relate experiences that have solidified your interest in your subject area.  Also indicate what you intend to do with the degree in the future.  The statement is typically 2-3 pages (typed, double-spaced) and should be an essay of the highest quality.  The handout titled Writing the Statement of Purpose for Graduate School is available to assist you in getting started in writing your statement.  Additionally, critiques of your statement are offered by Pre-Graduate School Advisors. 

Experience
Admissions committees are interested in knowing how much and what types of experience you have had in your field. The place to discuss your experience is in the statement of purpose.  You might include internships, independent study research experiences, applicable employment, summer internship programs, laboratory assignments, etc.  Such opportunities demonstrate that you have the experience and commitment necessary as you pursue your professional goals. 

Applications
Late summer or early fall is the time to complete applications to the graduate programs of your choice.  Most graduate applications are available online.  Be sure to find out whether a departmental application is required in addition to the university application.  Read Web sites carefully to make sure that you have all the information you need.  Also, get organized!  Determine a schedule of due dates and turn in your application and supporting materials with the earliest deadlines first.  Ideally, by the end of fall quarter you will have turned in all of your applications.  Many institutions have priority deadlines in December and January, so it’s best to have all materials turned in by the end of December (or earlier in some cases).  Being familiar with the deadline dates is crucial to the process, so don’t let this detail slip your mind. 

Financial Aid

Institutions:  Typically these awards consist of research and teaching assistantships, tuition fee waivers, and fellowships.  Awards are usually based upon merit rather than financial need and are instrumental in recruiting candidates to their programs.  The application process is usually included as part of the admissions application.  The deadline to apply for these awards however, is often much earlier than program deadlines.

Federal and State:  Applying for this assistance is a separate process in addition to applying for admission.  At some schools, applying for Federal aid and institutional support are combined.  In all instances, you will be required to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.  You will only need to complete one FAFSA as there is a section you can use to have the data sent to multiple institutions.  The application deadline is usually in early March.

Some schools may require a supplemental application.  This will usually occur when schools combine the awarding of Federal and institutional aid.  This may not be a free service, so check with each school to make sure it is required. 

This body encompasses local, national and international organizations, foundations, and corporations.  Funds are available to support graduate education in a number of ways.  Fellowships primarily provide for living expenses and in some instances, payment of tuition and fees.  Recipients benefit from these funds as they are usually free to utilize them at the university of their choice.  Application deadlines vary, so start your investigation early.  A good place to start is at the UC Davis Office of Graduate Studies which provides extensive information on external funding opportunities. 

Advice

Many resources to guide you through the graduate school application process are available in the Career and Graduate Study Resource Center located in 114 South Hall.  Advisors are also available in Advising Services to help you in the decision-making process, give you ideas of application strategies, and create a timeline.  Call (530)752-3000 or stop by 111 South Hall for an appointment