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Applying to
Graduate School: Important Things to Consider
Researching Programs
- Begin by asking faculty members here about
their recommendations on programs (you can
do this while you are establishing
a good relationship with them).
- Visit websites and give yourself lots
of time to look at them. (see the list of
links provided here)
- Ask lots of questions!
- try to talk with faculty and current
graduate students in each program.
- find out about program requirements
(exams, language requirements, teaching
duties, course work).
- ask about recent graduates: What is
the job placement rate? What is the
percentage of ABD students (students
who have finished everything but the
dissertation—if the number is high,
this means those students are not getting
jobs)?
- how many new students do they admit
every year—how many of those are coming
in just with their BA?
- Listen well to answers! Does the department
seem friendly? Do they sound excited about
you and your interests? Do they put you
on hold a lot?
- Research faculty with whom you might be
interested in working. Read what they have
written. Does their work seem to fit with
your interests? Make sure they are around
and teaching classes--not on leave, working
in other depts., etc.
- Find out about the area. Is it a place
you could imagine living?
- Find out about funding options. Will you
be expected to teach? How many years of
guaranteed funding do most incoming students
get? (A general rule is that you do not
want to go to graduate school if you are
not funded in some way—if they want you
badly enough, they will find money for you.)
- Find out how much applying to the program
costs. Application fees range from $35-$70.
Do your research well so you aren’t wasting
your money on a school that isn’t even right
for you!
- Find out about admission requirements.
Some schools are very clear about GPAs and
GRE scores. Don’t apply if you don’t qualify.
- Graduate Program
Rankings
Statement
of Purpose and Writing Samples
Letters of Recommendation
- Most programs require 3 letters of recommendation
with your application.
- Letters should come from faculty, not from a TA
(though a TA is sometimes asked to assist in providing
a faculty member information for a letter).
- Remember that letters of recommendation should
come from faculty who are familiar with your work and
who are enthusiastic about your chances in graduate
school.
- Provide your letter writers with LOTS OF TIME to
complete a letter—do not give them forms a week before
the application is due.
- Provide your letter writers with samples of your
written work from classes here, a copy of your
statement of purpose, a copy of your writing sample,
and a copy of your transcript. You will want to ask
them if they need anything else from you well in
advance.
- Meet with your letter writers early and often to
ask about their suggestions for programs, to talk
about your statement of purpose, to generally
establish a good rapport.
- ALWAYS provide a stamped, addressed envelope for
your letter writers.
- ALWAYS fill in recommendation forms with your
name, etc., and present materials in an organized way.
- ALWAYS remind them of application due dates well
in advance.
- ALWAYS say please and thank you—getting a good
letter of recommendation is a privilege, not a right.
GREs
- You will likely need to take BOTH the GRE general
and the GRE subject test.
- Check the GRE web
site for information on dates and scheduling.
- The general test is only given on the computer
now, the subject test is still paper-based.
- It is VERY IMPORTANT that you take the exams ON
TIME—otherwise your scores will not be sent to the
schools to which you are applying, and your
application will be void. (The general test must be
taken by October of the year you are applying, the
subject exam may vary, check with GRE on this.)
- PRACTICE early and often. Educational Testing can
provide you with some practice tests, but it is worth
it to buy a book and use it as well.
- Increase your breadth of knowledge—take courses in
as many areas as possible (medieval, 19 century
American, modern poetry)—the exam is comprehensive.
(The standard advice given to prep for these tests is
to read the Norton Anthologies cover-to-cover)
- Know that these exams are costly: General test:
$115; Subject test: $130
More than anything . . . BE ORGANIZED!! You
might want to plan a 6-12 month schedule for this
process. I found that applying to graduate school was
the equivalent amount of work as another course. Don’t
be surprised by this! PLAN AHEAD!!
(First compiled by Kate Koppelman, February 2000;
updated by Denee Pescarmona, October 2000; last updated by Jennifer Stoy, August 2002)
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