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BIOLOGY GRADUATE SCHOOL CHECK LIST
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FIRST YEAR
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Meet with academic advisor
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Join student clubs or organizations of interest
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Consider participating in undergraduate research at Brown
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Contact faculty about undergraduate research at Brown
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Attend networking events
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Consider a concentration(s) that represents your academic interests and passions
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Take part in peer advising
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Familiar yourself with the Center for Career Exploration
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Join LinkedIn
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SECOND YEAR
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Work on your resume
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Meet with pre-graduate advisor
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Contact faculty about undergraduate research at Brown
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Participate in undergraduate research at Brown
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Apply for summer research fellowship or science internship
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Meet with your concentration advisor
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Consider study abroad options for your third year
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Continue to develop your Brown and professional network
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THIRD YEAR
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FALL
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Update resume
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Meet with pre-graduate advisor
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Meet with concentration advisor
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Narrow down biology field of interest
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Undergraduate research at Brown
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Investigate summer research fellowship or science internship
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Start looking for graduate programs/schools of interest.
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Is subject (e.g., biology, cell biology, etc.) GRE required?
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If subject GRE required, strongly consider registering for Spring subject GRE.
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SPRING
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Meet with pre-graduate advisor
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Meet with concentration advisor
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Narrow down biology field of interest
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Undergraduate research at Brown
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Apply for summer research fellowship or science internship
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Attend and/or present poster or talk at biology research conference
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Narrow down list of potential graduate programs/schools.
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Look up faculty research at potential graduate programs/schools.
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Master's or doctorate degree?
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Prepare a draft of your curriculum vitae (CV)
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SUMMER
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Perform research either on campus or off campus
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Minimum GPA/GRE requirements of potential graduate programs/schools?
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Contact graduate faculty who do research in your area of interest.
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Informational visits to graduate programs/schools.
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Determine cost of graduate school.
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Investigate grad funding (e.g., financial aid, assistantships, fellowships).
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Make tiered list of graduate programs/schools.
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Pepare a draft of your personal statement
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Contact potential letter writers
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Budget for graduate school application fees.
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FOURTH YEAR
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September
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Meet with pre-graduate advisor
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Meet with concentraion, or research advisor and other biology faculty for advice
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Organize applications.
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Obtain specific financial aid forms (if required).
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Make tiered final list of graduate schools/programs in consultation with advisor.
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Contact graduate faculty who do research in your area of interest.
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Continue to work on personal statement
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October
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Finalize personal statement.
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Order official transcripts.
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Request letters of recommendation.
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November
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Revise and finalize personal statement.
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Complete applications of first choice schools.
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December
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Complete all application forms.
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Complete applications for financial aid, assistantships, and fellowships.
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Send applications so that they arrive a few weeks BEFORE the deadline.
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Check with schools to see if application is complete, BEFORE deadlines.
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January - April
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Complete all application forms.
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Complete applications for financial aid, assistantships, and fellowships.
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Send applications so that they arrive a few weeks BEFORE the deadline.
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Check with schools to see if application is complete, BEFORE deadlines.
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VERY IMPORTANT: do practice interviews with graduate advisor & committee!
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Go on interviews: ask questions, present yourself well.
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Acceptance letters: are terms of acceptance (esp. financial) acceptable to you?
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Send thank you cards and info about acceptance/rejection to recommenders.
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