Thinking of going to Graduate School?A Mentoring Session with IRACDA Postdoc FellowsMarch 31, 2016

How is the session organized

1. Three discussion groups (prepare your questions):a. Suzanne - Reasons to go to graduate school (+career

options after PhD)b. Harita - What is it like to be a graduate studentc. Sofya - How I applied to Graduate School

2. Presentation

BAD Reasons to go to Graduate School

❏ Someone in your family told you to go❏ Your best friend is going❏ You aren’t ready to start working for a living❏ You don’t know what else to do❏ You want to get rich quick

GOOD Reasons to go to Graduate School

❏ You are genuinely interested in learning more about the subject ❏ You loved doing undergraduate research❏ You always wanted to teach at a college/university❏ You enjoy solving problems and being challenged ❏ You want to make scientific contributions that impact society ❏ Your career goals require a higher degree❏ You want higher earning potential

Levels of Graduate School

❏ Master’s Degree (1-2 years)❏ Thesis based or Coursework❏ You pay

❏ PhD (4-7 years)❏ Dissertation❏ Tuition is covered and you get a stipend - They pay you!

Some programs require a master’s along the way, others don’t

What will you do as a graduate student?

1. Take classes - 6-12 courses

2. Do research - Lab rotations/Original research

3. Teach - Teaching assistant/Mentor other students

4. Present your findings - Write/Give presentations

Characteristics of a successful graduate student

❏ Intelligent❏ Motivated❏ Self disciplined❏ Has Perseverance

Career Options with a PhD

● Researcher - academia or in “industry” (Pharma/Biotech)● Education - teaching or curriculum development ● Consultant - healthcare industry● Government Agencies - FDA, science policy● Sales - pharmaceutical rep, science supply companies● Technology Transfer - help universities go from bench to market● Scientific writer

Myths about Graduate School

1. Graduate school is right for everyone2. Graduate school is like “College the sequel”3. I need to know exactly what research I want to do before choosing a

school4. I am the only person who is unfamiliar with the application process5. If one part of my application is weak, I will not be accepted6. If I have a perfect GRE and GPA, I am guaranteed to be accepted7. I am only a junior so it is too soon to be thinking about graduate school

How to choose a program

1. Discipline and sub-areas that you like/lovea. Talk to advisors, professors, graduate studentsb. Find publications in your discipline of interestc. Check career opportunities and job market

2. The peoplea. Faculty expertiseb. Publicationsc. How well knownd. Do you find someone you want to work with?

How to choose a program

3. The programa. How long officially/on average? How many credits? b. Coursesc. Exams (preliminary, final), thesisd. Program ranking, school reputatione. How is job placement for alumni?f. Contact program director

4. The placea. School size, program sizeb. Location, setting, community and surroundingsc. Housing, transportation, cost of living

How to choose a program

5. The pricea. SHOULD NOT pay for PhDb. You are paid by Research/Graduate/Teaching Assistantshipc. Medical and Dental Insurance

6. Other considerationsa. Resources for womenb. Resources for minoritiesc. Diversity

Application Components

1. Application for Admission2. Personal Statement/Writing Sample (assay)3. Three Letters of Recommendation4. Official Transcripts Requested from Each University (allow 2-3 months)5. Standardized Test Scores (GRE)6. Resume7. Fee Waiver Request8. Application for Financial Aid9. Application for Fellowships

10. Copy of Income Tax Return11. Other Information Request

Personal Statement/Writing Sample

Letters of Recommendation

Transcripts GPA and Standardized Test Scores (GRE)

Tailored to a program:

Why this program?

What can you offer to the program?

What are your achievements in the field?

What are your goals?

What faculty are of interest to you and why?

3 letters from people who know you well:Research advisor, Upper level courses

Influential authors for “strong” letters

Provide everything that professor needs to write and mail the letter

Follow-up nicely and verify that the letters were received

From each college/university you have attended

Request 2-3 months before the deadline

Need more time if attended university outside of US

No GPA that will secure your admittance (try to maintain above 3.0, 3.5 for very competitive)

Good grades in relevant courses

Same for GRE scores: requirements vary

STEM programs - math

Application Timeline (Start EARLY)

First two years: GPA, curriculum, class participation, talk to professors, academic year research

Junior Year Spring Junior Year Summer

1. What are your interests? Career plans, programs?

2. Search programs, funding. Talk to faculty, advisors, etc.

3. Find research opportunities (internships, summer)

1. Rough list of programs and funding sources.2. Start writing personal statement.3. Begin studying for GRE4. Summer research5. Networking

Senior Year Fall Senior Year Late Fall/Early Spring

1. Final list of programs with admission information2. Test preparation and take the test by the end of

October3. Contact references by the end of November

1. Complete applications (December-January)2. Fellowships applications (November)3. Visit the programs, open houses, etc.4. Prepare for interviews

Organize your application process (example)

Good luck!

COMMUNICATION is a key to success (not the only one)

● Talking to people● Asking questions● Sending e-mails● Expressing your interests in writing ● Asking for help and advice

Resources

● www.gradschools.com/: Directory of schools● https://www.petersons.com - graduate programs● www.gre.org - GRE admission exam● http://gsnb.rutgers.edu - Rutgers Grad School● http://lifesci.rutgers.edu/~molbiosci/ - Molecular

Biosciences (Interdisciplinary)● http://lifehacker.com/seven-things-i-wish-i-knew-

before-going-to-graduate-sch-1609488711● https://www.sciencemag.org/careers● http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/● http://chronicle.com/article/How-to-Win-a-

Graduate/46782

Conferences/networking/mentoring:

● http://www.theleadershipalliance.org/Default.aspx● https://sacnas.org/● http://www.abrcms.org/● http://www.emerging-researchers.org/● http://www.cur.org/● http://www.shpe.org/● http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/● http://www.biophysics.

org/AboutUs/Volunteer/Mentoring/tabid/2282/Default.aspx● http://www.ascb.org/mentoring-in-active-learning-and-teaching-

malt/● https://www.millionwomenmentors.org/

Thank you

● You● Dr. Monroe● Biology and Biotechnology Club● William Paterson University● Rutgers University and INSPIRE program● RWJMS and Rutgers Grad School offices● Dr. Evelyn S. Erenrich, Assistant Dean Rutgers Grad School

“Two truths and a lie”

#PhDWPUspring2016 or sborinskaya.wordpress.com (reply to post)