US Graduate School Application

Process

Presenter:
Chiamaka Obianyor , Ph.D. Candidate
School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,
Georgia Institute of Technology

US – Nigeria PhD Workshop

October 31st , 2020
 Questions to be addressed

❖Why graduate school

❖Application process

❖Funding

❖PhD process

2
 Transitioning from a Bachelor’s to Graduate Degree

❖ “What happens now?” early! : 9-12 months before intended start date

❖ Fall Semester (August)

❖ Spring Semester (January)

3
 Sample Timeline for graduate school application

https://www.pathwaystoscience.org/pdf/CIC_GradSchoolGuide.pdf 4
 Why graduate school?

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-go-to-grad-school. https://www.slideshare.net/xqin74/going-to-graduate-school. https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/reports/varying- 5

degrees-2019/perceptions-versus-reality/
 Overview of the PhD application process

❖ Q: Do I need a Master’s degree?

❖ Not necessarily
❖ A strong GPA and research experience goes a long way

❖ Can I get a Master’s degree along the way?

❖ In most programs, yes

❖ How do I begin? Find schools?

❖ Identify research areas of interest
❖ Google. Best US News Rankings.
❖ Research schools that match area of interest
❖ Reach out to current graduate students
❖ Ask where/what graduate students do afterwards

❖ Find out application requirements for each school

❖ Deadlines: December/January for PhDs

6
 Overview of the PhD application process

❖ Q: Do I need a Master’s degree?

❖ Not necessarily
❖ A strong GPA and research experience goes a long way

❖ Can I get a Master’s degree along the way?

❖ In most programs, yes

❖ How do I begin? Find schools?

❖ Identify research areas of interest
❖ Google. Best US News Rankings.
❖ Research schools that match area of interest
❖ Reach out to current graduate students
❖ Ask where/what graduate students do afterwards

❖ Find out application requirements for each school

❖ Deadlines: December/January for PhDs

7
 Minimum admissions requirements

❖ Bachelor’s degree:
❖ Competitive GPA (3.5/4.0, ~4.2/5.0)
❖ Transcript

❖ Statement of purpose

❖ Entrance exams: GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

❖ GRE scores may be waived
❖ Competitive GRE scores >158. Writing >4.5

❖ Recommendation letter

❖ CV/Resume

❖ Application fee
❖ Can also be waived

8
 Minimum admissions requirements

❖ Bachelor’s degree:
❖ Competitive GPA (3.5/4.0, ~4.2/5.0)
❖ Transcript

❖ Statement of purpose

❖ Entrance exams: GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

❖ GRE scores may be waived
❖ Competitive GRE scores >158. Writing >4.5

❖ Recommendation letter

❖ CV/Resume

❖ Application fee
❖ Can also be waived

9
 Minimum admissions requirements

❖ Bachelor’s degree:
❖ Competitive GPA (3.5/4.0, ~4.2/5.0)
❖ Transcript

❖ Statement of purpose

❖ Entrance exams: GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

❖ GRE scores may be waived
❖ Competitive GRE scores >158. Writing >4.5

❖ Recommendation letter

❖ CV/Resume

❖ Application fee
❖ Can also be waived

10
 Minimum admissions requirements

❖ Bachelor’s degree:
❖ Competitive GPA (3.5/4.0, ~4.2/5.0)
❖ Transcript

❖ Statement of purpose

❖ Entrance exams: GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

❖ GRE scores may be waived
❖ Competitive GRE scores >158. Writing >4.5

o Dedicate at-least 1 month to prepare

o Look up average GRE of incoming PhD class at
each school
o Don’t stress about it. A perfect score is not
required

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 Minimum admissions requirements

❖ Entrance exams: GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

❖ Recommendation letter
❖ Allows admissions committee learn about you from a colleague’s
perspective

o Contact professor’s who know you WELL!

o Can speak on your ability to conduct research
o Demonstrated excellence and willingness to learn
o Potential success in a graduate program
o Qualities that make you stand out from other applicants

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 Recommendation letter tips

❖ Entrance exams: GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

❖ Recommendation letter

o Contact professor’s who know you WELL!

o Can speak on your ability to conduct research
o Demonstrated excellence and willingness to learn
o Potential success in a graduate program
o Qualities that make you stand out from other applicants

o Ask for letters far in advance (~ 2 months before deadline).

o Send reminders

o Provide resume and SOP to letter writers

o Emphasize content you want recommenders to be sure to include

o Thank them afterwards!

13
 Strong Letters of Recommendation

https://www.slideshare.net/xqin74/going-to-graduate-school 14
 Minimum admissions requirements

❖ Entrance exams: GRE and TOEFL/IELTS

❖ Recommendation letter

❖ CV/Resume
❖ Resume (~1-2 pgs)
❖ CV (no length requirement)

❖ Application fee
❖ Can also be waived

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-go-to-grad-school. https://www.slideshare.net/xqin74/going-to-graduate-school 15
 Top qualities of a graduate student applicant
❖ Ideal PhD applicant

https://www.pathwaystoscience.org/pdf/CIC_GradSchoolGuide.pdf 16
 Top qualities of a graduate student applicant

There is no ideal/perfect candidate!

https://www.pathwaystoscience.org/pdf/CIC_GradSchoolGuide.pdf 17
 Funding your graduate school education

❖ Assistantship packages vary by school and departments!

❖ Check individual schools

❖ Graduate research assistantships (GRA)

❖ Graduate Teaching assistantships (GTA)
❖ Graduate assistantships (GA)

https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report/STEM%20Graduate%20Funding%20Brief%20%20Sept%202014.pdf 18
 Difference between GRA, GTA, & GA

❖ Most PhD students are GRAs. Some Master’s students (thesis track)
❖ Typically covers tuition cost and health insurance (for PhDs)
❖ Includes living expenses

https://www.happyschools.com/teaching-research-graduate-assistantships-differences/ 19
 Difference between GRA, GTA, &GA

❖ Some PhD and Master’s students will be GTAs some/most of the time
❖ Typically covers tuition cost and health insurance (for PhDs)
❖ Includes living expenses
https://www.happyschools.com/teaching-research-graduate-assistantships-differences/ 20
 Difference between GRA, GTA, &GA

❖ Typical source of additional funding for Master’s students

https://www.happyschools.com/teaching-research-graduate-assistantships-differences/ 21
 General funding advice

❖ Reach out to the schools and departments early (as soon as offer letter
is received)

❖ If there are no provisions for GRAs, ask about GTA opportunities

❖ Funding situation of professors can/may change during degree

duration. Keep an open mind

❖ Always be on the lookout for other sources of funding

❖ Fellowships (External and Internal): NASA, AAUW
❖ Scholarships: NSBE, SWE

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 That PhD life.

❖ Average length of PhD program (~4-6 years)

❖ F-1 Visa required for International students

❖ Typically don’t need to show proof of finance during visa interview
since it’s fully funded (I-20)

❖ Choosing an advisor
❖ Admission into specific lab
❖ Matching during 1st and 2nd semester
❖ Rotation during 1st year

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 That PhD life.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsiteproxy.ruqli.workers.dev%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fgroupe-adequation.com%2F1173-sample-dissertation-
timeline&psig=AOvVaw3pLy51F6i0r3rJRI3hSXGn&ust=1603991797088000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwjIvcmb5dfsAhXOglMKHXh6CbUQr4kDegUIARCtAQ
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 Conclusion

https://errantscience.com/blog/2017/02/22/should-you-do-a-phd-a-flow-diagram/ 25
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