What You'll Need to Apply to Grad School
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Testing Information - Official
Test Sites and Prep Courses
GRE
Many academic programs requite the Graduate
Record Exam (GRE), the most general graduate
admissions test. The GRE includes a Subject Test,
based on the field you want to study: Biochemistry,
Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics,
Engineering, Geology, History, Literature in
English, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Psychology,
and Sociology.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)—The GRE is the
“general” graduate admissions test and is required
for admission to many university graduate programs.
It includes a seven-part “general test” that tests
you on verbal, quantitative, and analytical
abilities as they measure your potential success on
a graduate level, and a 14-part “subject test” that
is designed to measure your knowledge of subject
matter related to a specific field. Both tests are
scored on a 200- to 990-point scale, For more
information on the GRE, go to
http://www.gre.org/.
The site allows online registration for the test,
offers testing dates and addresses of test centers,
and includes sample tests.
MCAT
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)—The MCAT
tests a wide range of skills, including problem
solving, critical thinking, and writing. It also
tests the aspiring student’s knowledge of science
concepts and principles that are prerequisites to
the study of medicine. Scores are given in verbal
reasoning, physical sciences, a writing sample, and
biological sciences. Almost all U.S. medical schools
require an MCAT before admission. More information
on the MCAT is available at
http://www.aamc.org/.
LSAT
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)—The American Bar
Association requires a half-day standardized test
for admission to any of the 196 law schools that are
members of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC or
Law Services). The test measures reading and verbal
reasoning skills. Many law schools require that the
LSAT be taken by December, nine months before law
school begins. The Law School Admissions Council
recommends taking the test earlier—15 months to a
year before law school begins. Information on the
LSAT is available at
http://www.lsat.org. The LSAT site will give you
a complete sample LSAT for practice. The catalog of
the school you want to attend will tell you which
test you must take for admission.
GMAT
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)—The
GMAT is a standardized test used by 1,500 graduate
management programs around the world to assess the
qualifications of applicants. Scores are used to
predict your academic performance in the first year
of graduate management school. There are nine timed
sections and two 30-minute essays to write. For more
information, start at
http://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT.
The GMAT site (http://www.gmat.org/)
offers a computer-adaptive test under typical test
conditions and will score the verbal and
quantitative portions immediately. You’ll even be
able to write two essays online—just like the real
GMAT.
Letters of Recommendation
Your most powerful recommendations will come from
people who know you well ~ professors, faculty advisors,
internship or campus work-study supervisors, or managers
in the workplace, if you’ve been out of school for
awhile. Seek your recommendations from these people
because they can create a close-up picture of you, along
with all the qualities and traits sought by graduate
schools. Keep your recommendations on file with
Tufts Credentials Service.
Quick Tips
Avoid the CEO trap. Do not choose your
recommender based on stature, title, or position.
Unless they know you well, this will work against
you with admissions counselors. Graduate schools are
more impressed by recommenders who offer specific
examples to illustrate your interests and abilities.
The more tailored to the program/school, the better.
Who loves you? Make sure your recommenders
are enthusiastic supporters. A lukewarm endorsement
weakens your candidacy.
Create a 360 profile. Select recommenders
who know you in different ways and can describe
complementary aspects of your background,
experiences, and qualifications. Three recommenders
raving about your research skills is less effective
than individuals who can add new information,
perhaps about leadership on campus or
Timing is everything. Allow ample time for
your recommender to consider and write your letters.
Last minute requests can backfire. Give them one to
two months, along with your deadline. It’s a good
idea to check in mid-way through that time period to
ask if additional information would be helpful. This
serves as a gentle reminder.
Be your own PR agent. Provide your
recommender with the tools they need to say good
things about you. Give them information about
yourself, such as your resume, copy of your
statement of purpose, and research information, if
appropriate. Don’t forget the appropriate forms,
stamped return envelopes, and other details
specified by your target schools.
Say thank you. This is good manners 101.
Do it for that reason alone.
Personal Statements
The most effective statements hook a reader right at
the start. Admissions counselors typically spend one to
two minutes per essay, so it’s imperative to invite them
to linger by crafting a compelling introduction. Here
are additional tips:
Think first. Sitting at the keyboard is not the
time to write your first draft. Instead, your angle
should be simmering mentally over a period of time, as
you consider how best to tell your story. By the time
you’re ready to write, you should have an outline,
either formal or informal, that guides you. Reflection
is the key to good writing.
Tell a story. The statement is your opportunity
to bring to life all the facts contained in your
application package. In an effort to impress your
audience, do not try to cram in everything you’ve
accomplished. Your resume will provide that data.
Instead, choose a single theme, a turning point, an
important lesson, a self-discovery, a defining moment or
experience that corresponds to the question. Naturally,
your topic should demonstrate, either directly or
indirectly, why you are applying to this particular
program and why you are a fit. Pay attention to the
question you’re asked. For example, a personal statement
is different than a statement of purpose.
Be you. The statement is you’re your opportunity to
stand out from the crowd. Some people respond to this
challenge by adopting a persona - an affected style with
flowery phrases, thesaurus words, and pretentious
attitude. Envision yourself as the reader: would you
want to admit this pompous individual? Authenticity is
the most effective differentiator.
Get unstuck. When you’re stumped, ask yourself these
questions. Who is my audience? What is my goal?
Remembering these two things will help you stay true to
your purpose.
Resources for Writing Your Personal Statement
Career Services
Call 617.627.3229 and request a Career Counselor to
review your personal statement. To ensure adequate time,
you may want to schedule a 40-minute appointment and
send your statement ahead of time. It’s difficult to
review a statement in our 20-minute “Quick Question”
appointments.
Academic Resource Center
ARC offers individualized writing assistance for
students, whether for classes or for graduate school
applications. Seek this expert advice as you plan,
draft, and revise your work.
http://ase.tufts.edu/wts/stuTutoring.asp
Pre-health Students
Pre-health advisors offer focused advice and are
available to read your statements.
http://studentservices.tufts.edu/hpa/apphandbook/sectionII.htm#statement
Transcripts
Timeline
Financing your education
Additional Resources
Linda Abraham’s article gives good advice and also
discusses what to do when your recommender asks you to
draft your own recommendation.
www.accepted.com
The Academic Pyramid Club, an article in the Chronicle
of Higher Education, is intended to describe the
recommendation process in the academic job market.
However, the advice is universal, especially the bullet
points toward the end of the article. It’s well written
by James Lang, an academician with a sense of humor. http://chronicle.com/weekly/v50/i20/20c00101.htm
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