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Selecting & Applying to Graduate School�for Education Majors �

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Heather Morens

Career Coach, Career Design Center

Erwin 116

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https://www.geneseo.edu/career-design

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Selecting/Researching Programs

  • What is most important to you? Make a list
  • Things to consider:
    • Program, cost, location, certification areas/demand, faculty research, student to faculty ratio, admissions criteria, accreditation, reputation, placement rates, course offerings, type of courses (online, hybrid, etc)

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Requirements for Professional Certificate

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http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/relatedmasters.html

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Components of the Application

  • Application forms
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Standardized tests
  • Transcripts
  • Personal statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Interview

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Application Process

  • Applying EARLY can make a difference
  • Rolling admissions means that spots can fill up
  • Keep track of all deadlines – create a timeline for each application
  • Availability of assistantships, fellowships, scholarships go quickly so the earlier you are accepted, the better options you will have
  • Allows for mistakes, missing materials, late reference writers, etc.

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Financing your Education

You can’t tell how much it will cost until you apply and are admitted

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  • Scholarships
  • Assistantships (teach, research, admin)
  • Fellowships
  • Grants
  • Finding free sources of aid is the goal!

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  • Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant - Graduate students enrolled in programs designed to prepare them to teach in a high-need field at the elementary or secondary school level are eligible to receive up to $4000/year. Recipients must agree to serve for a minimum of four years (within eight years of completing the program for which you received the funds) as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a school or educational service agency that serves low-income students.
  • https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach

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Funding for Graduate Students

  • Be sure to complete the FAFSA

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

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  • In almost all cases, graduate or professional students are considered independent students for the purposes of completing the FAFSA form. This means they generally are not required to provide parent information.

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Resources

  • Fastweb - Database of 1.5 million college scholarships. Find scholarships that match your qualifications and interests.
  • Scholarship Finder - The US Department of Labor's Career One Stop has a useful tool for searching scholarships and fellowships by keyword, geographical area as well as demographic information.
  • College Scholarships.org - Searchable resource for scholarships, grants, loans.
  • ProFellow Funding Directory - Discover 1,000+ Fully Funded PhD and Master's Programs and Full Funding Awards
  • Office of Fellowships & Scholarships- Find fellowships/scholarships that are a good match for your interests and experience, as well as for your academic and extracurricular life.

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Letters of Recommendation

  • Three to five letters of recommendation are ideal
  • Letter writers may include
    • Cooperating/supervising teachers
    • Principals
    • Faculty in your discipline/major
    • Supervisors for related jobs
  • Notify writers at least 6-8 weeks in advance
  • Clearly identify the intent of the letter of recommendation
  • Create a list of your personal and academic achievements that can be given to the recommender (enclose an updated resume)
  • Always send a thank you letter

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Application Process: �Standardized Tests (GRE)�

  • GRE.org for information about the exam
  • Take a practice test

Test results are good for 5 years!

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Admission Decisions: GPA

  • GPA is generally considered within the context of undergraduate major and undergraduate institution

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  • A 3.0 or better is always the goal

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  • Applicants can compensate for a lower GPA with a good standardized test score

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  • Junior/Senior GPA or GPA in major frequently reviewed in addition to overall undergraduate GPA

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Admission Decisions: Work Experience

  • Work experience can help to compensate for lower GPA/test scores, especially in professional degree programs

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  • With research-oriented programs, students are more likely to go directly to graduate school from undergraduate

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  • Consider if deferring graduate school might mean sacrificing graduate school

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  • Make sure to have your resume/CV reviewed to be sure you are articulating your experience in a meaningful way

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Admission Requirements:�Personal Statements

  • Allow graduate program to evaluate your “fit” and writing ability

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  • Convey enthusiasm about career plans without sounding insincere

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  • Demonstrate genuine interest in the field of study and the specific institution/program

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  • Career Design Center reviews statements

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Admission Requirements: �Personal Statement

  • Begin with an opening paragraph – relate an epiphany
  • Tell them what motivates you
  • Identify why you have chosen this school and program
  • What are your specific areas of interest?
  • How does your experience (academic and hands-on) relate to your objective
  • What are your goals
  • Personal qualities that separate you from other candidates
  • Must be well written and as concise as possible

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Admission Requirements: �Letter of Intent

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  • This is basically a cover letter

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  • Different than a personal statement – shorter, more direct, brief intro to your application and why you are applying

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  • Should identify what documents are enclosed in your application materials.

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  • Convey your enthusiasm for the school and program.

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  • BRIEFLY highlight a quality or experience that will set you apart from the others.

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Admission Decisions

  • Other items that may be considered as part of the admission decision:
    • Extracurricular activities
    • Research, honors, and papers published before applying to graduate school
    • Portfolios
    • Writing samples
    • Interview

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Asher’s Law

“Thou shall not call, nor write, nor visit any professor without having read some of his or her works first”

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Admission Decisions: The Interview

  • Schedule the interview…then do your intense research

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  • Find out who will be interviewing you

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  • Always go directly to your program and institution of interest to get exact responses to your questions

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  • Goal: to be able to ask intelligent questions to illustrate that you have done your homework

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  • Have questions prepared to ask at the end of the interview

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Admission Decisions: Final Thoughts

  • If you are accepted, you should inform the degree program of your intentions

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  • Respond ASAP to competitive programs to guarantee a place in the class

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  • Follow directions for subsequent actions (registration, orientation, summer study)

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  • Not responding to offers of admission reflects poorly on you

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If at first you don’t succeed…

  • Apply to more schools
  • Apply to more safe schools
  • Apply earlier
  • Take some classes as a non-matriculated student
  • Get more related experience
  • Have a career coach/other qualified professionals review your application materials
  • Visit them in person and ask questions about how you can improve your application

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Career Design Resources for Education Majors/Graduate School

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https://www.geneseo.edu/career-design/resources-education-majors

https://www.geneseo.edu/career-design/graduate-school

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