Graduate School Applications
 

I've decided to apply for grad school for next fall, and I'm currently in the midst of filling out all the necessary applications. My question is how far back should information go. For example, when applying for undergrad, clearly high school accomplishments were acceptable. However, with grad school, would listing those same accomplishments be looked down upon, or simply irrelevant? Should a graduate application only list accomplishments from your undergrad experience? Thanks in advance for any input. :)

what do they specifically ask for?

My application actually asked for high school information in some sections and not in others. Grades were not all that important from high school. Activities, groups, community service and awards were more closey looked at. I went into social work, though. If you can find someone else that applied in a similar field or to the same program, I'd go with what they were asked in interviews.

I've applied for 3 different grad schools over the last 2 years, attended one, turned down another, and starting the third.

In my case, I needed to provide a resume, Transcripts from undergraduate only, and letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors or internship supervisors, etc. Think about the information that tells them the most about your qualifications for grad school - that should be on the top of your list.

I had to provide undergrad and doctoral transcripts for grad school but not high school.

I think it would vary major to major but I don't think many science grad programs care what you did in highschool unless it was something well above and beyond the normal.

It depends on how much padding you need. If you need more then add it if not then don't. Your vitae isn't nearly as important as your transcripts, letters of recommendations, and statement of research. Look at the professors where your applying at. Are any of them researching things of interest to you? If so say you are interested in researching those things. Many people will even go as far as to contact those professors about their research and let them know of there interests.

If you are lucky this could even net you and RA right off the bat.

Since she's busy working on that stuff right now, I'll just point out that she's applying to grad schools for music....so, the whole research thing isn't really applicable, nor is it as clear-cut when it comes to something like HS science work not applying.

It's also what makes it difficult in terms of describing qualifications on paper...because most of that is the kind of thing that is conveyed in an audition and description of performance work, which is different from accomplishments, rewards, etc.

first off, break a leg ono.
what seemed most important when i applied to grad school were the essay and the recommendation letters. maybe use the essay to stream what other information you offer. generally, the essay is about a movement from undergrad experience to a sense of focus, which leads you to apply to this particular place to work with these particular people.

so the main pitch is the fit between what you want to do and the faculty at the desired school. generally you pitch your application essay (and supporting stuff) at either a particular fac person or a cluster of fac people (depending on how the department is organized.)

but i did a phd in history, so the game might be a bit different for you.

o yeah--do the "is this person an asshole" check..sometimes it is called an "interview" but it isnt necessarily clear who is interviewing who. if you're applying to a small department that has only one person, this is real important as a small place doesnt offer you much latitude.

I wish I had paid more attention to the Asshole Factor when I "interviewed." But I was too excited about being paid to study, I guess... 5 years down the line, too late to do much about it now (other than take on a co-chair in a different department, which is what I did). So yeah, make sure you know who you're going to work with, especially if it's a PhD program.

I'm bumping this back up to jack it in order to ask about letters of recommendation.

I need three. I know one of them will be written by my boss, the Dean of the College of Public Health. I have worked immediately below him on a textbook for over a year, and he knows me and my goals and abilities pretty well.

After him, I'm not sure where to go. I have three professors willing to write positive recommendations for me.. one I've had two classes with, as well as a field school. The other two I've had two classes with, but they were small classes and they definitely know who I am (and I visited their offices weekly).

Then, there are former employers. Am I wrong in thinking that I should maybe have a letter from one of my child-oriented camp job supervisors since I am applying for teacher certification? Granted, these jobs were summer jobs and the most positive letter would come from the YMCA camp I worked for in 2005. I also have worked on and off for a pony farm since 2002.. but I don't think that her recommendation would hold that much weight. There are also people I have done volunteer work under, but the most extensive position so far has just been since December.

Who would you choose? Just academics? Or bump in some child experience with a letter from one of my camp supervisors?

I've been told remember the Rs - Recent, Relevant, Realistic

I personally feel its good to have a variety - academic world does not always translate into applicable/ success in the Real World. I would go with one of your counseling positions.

Thanks for the response. :) That's what I was thinking, too. I appreciate the confirmation.