KYLA KRUEGEROREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Graduate School in the U.S.

Who am I?

From Seattle, WAJunior at Oregon State University Major: Human Development and Family SciencesMinors: Business and Sociology Graduate Program: Student Affairs/Higher

Education

Exploring Grad Programs

Where to apply?

Location West Coast, East Coast, Mid West, South City, Rural, Suburban

Institution Type Public or Private

Institution Size Small, Medium, Large

Degree Options MA, MS, MED, PhD, etc.

Options to Defray Costs Assistantships, fellowships, financial aid, scholarship, research funding,

etc. Assessment Test Requirements Program Requirements

Assistantships, exams, practicum, research competency, thesis/dissertation, internship

Preparing

Timeline

Second last year and summer before your final year Start researching programs Determine test requirements, application deadlines, test

dates, etc. Begin drafting personal statement

August Register for admission tests (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.) Being working on applications if available

September Finalize your list of prospective schools Meet with faculty members about recommendation letters Continue working on applications

Timeline Continued

October and November Request official transcripts Take GRE Subject tests if needed Complete and send all applications

December Verify that all application documents and letters of

recommendations have arrivedJanuary – March

Relax and be patient. The hard part’s over! April

Celebrate your acceptances!

Applying

Typical Application Components

Online ApplicationPersonal StatementTranscriptsLetters of Recommendation (usually from

faculty members) Admissions Test Results (GRE, GMAT, etc.)

Do Don’t

Start EARLYPay attention to

deadlinesTrack your

application progressUse a professional

or school email address

Apply to every school

Submit incomplete or inaccurate information

Application Do’s and Don’ts

Do Don’t

Write clearly and concisely (use CORRECT spelling and grammar)

Be specific. Show, don’t tell

Form conclusionsSpeak in first person (I...)Have multiple people

read your statement before you submit it

Use the “what I did with my life” approach

Use the “I’ve always wanted to be a ____” approach

Summarize your resume/CV

Personal Statement Do’s and Don’ts

Kyla’s Application Advice

Start early Use professional emailClean up Facebook, Twitter, etc. GREAT personal statement Fill out EVERYTHING DIVERSITY Don’t stress

Attending

What is grad school really like?

Less like going to college – more like a full time job

Not as academically focusedChallenging, but rewarding Get an “American college experience”

University of Washington Seattle, WA

New York University (NYU)New York City, NY

University of ColoradoBolder, CO

Questions??

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

Los Angeles, CA

Boston CollegeBoston, MA

University of TexasAustin, TX