Graduate School Application Timeline- September Checklist!

Photo Courtesy of http://www.free-printable-calendars.comThis post is for all those gearing up to submit graduate school applications this year. Successful applicants give themselves ample time to prepare their applications. It's September and deadlines will be here before you know it.  Start compiling the various components of your application today.   

Each month I’ll be posting a checklist of things to prepare in hopes that by mid November you'll be on schedule to submit all of your application materials by or before deadline. September’s checklist is as follows.  Don’t miss the bus.  

1. Standardized Tests- If you have not done so already, register to take all required standardized tests. Select a test date that is as early in the Fall semester as possible. This will help you ensure that all of the  programs that you're applying to receive your official scores prior to published submission deadlines. 
2. Narrow Your Choices- At this point  you should have a finalized list of all of the graduate programs that you will be applying to.  If you’re still unsure make some time to visit your top choice schools this month.   When visiting check out the facilities, meet with faculty and talk to current graduate students. Gather all available information so that you'll be prepared to make an informed decision and apply to a graduate program that is suited to meet your academic needs and aspirations. 
3. Print and Catalogue Application Components- Print all application/admissions information for each program that you are applying to.  Read application materials carefully and keep a record of every component of the application process. Make note of the number of letters of recommendation required as well as the number of  official transcripts that must be submitted.  Make sure you highlight each application deadline and make note of specific instructions/specialized deadlines for  personal statements ( ie. page limitations), letters of recommendation,  test scores and transcripts. 
4. Begin Your Personal Statement- Start this process by doing some research.  Check out the blog we’ve posted here on TheGlamNERDS.com and visit other online resources that will give you tips and information on how to organize and draft your statement.   Prepare an outline and meet with a professor or an advisor for feedback to make sure that you're headed in the right direction. 
5. Identify and Approach Recommenders- Now is the time to identify which of your professors you will ask to write your letters of recommendation. Please refer to the blog we’ve posted on recommendation letters for the play by play on navigating this process.  Be sure to  identify a faculty member that is familiar with your work and work ethic and has good things to say about you.  Ask him/her to write your letter in person and after that conversation be sure to follow up and confirm with an email.  Provide your recommender with a packet of information including the outline of your personal statement, your resume, any honors and awards, and or any information concerning any work that you and that professor have done together.  This includes special research projects, lab work, publications, etc. Offer to meet with your recommender to review this packet and answer any questions the programs that you are applying to and/or your academic and professional goals. 

I hope this helps.  I’ll be back next month with more information.  Best wishes to all of you preparing your applications and feel free to contact me with any specific questions. 

Are you studying or interested in studying Africana/African American History/Studies?

Photo Courtesy of http://www.afam2012.northwestern.eduThe Graduate School of Northwestern University has recently announced the "A Beautiful Struggle: Transformative Black Studies in Shifting Political Landscapes" conference.  This conference is a summit of doctoral programs in Africana and/African Americans studies.  Graduate students and faculty from the 11 existing Africana/African American Studies graduate programs in the United States  will convene to give emerging scholars the platform to present and discuss their work. Northwestern has planned an exciting three day conference that will be held April 12-14, 2012 in Evanston, Illinois.  The conference is free of charge and open to the general public.  If you're studying or interested in studying Black History/culture you might want to get a piece of this. 

I encourage students of all levels to attend and participate in conferences. Conferences are a great opportunity to stay abreast of exciting development within your chosen field/profession.  Attending conferences also posititions students to create and sustain relationships with peers and profressionals that will  be undoubedtly advantageous to their academic and professional careers.  Please check out my previous posts on Why Students Should Attend Professional Conferences during their academic year for more on the benefits of conference attendance.  "The Beautiful Struggle" is a great opportunity for any student studying or interested in studying Africana/African American studies. Faculty from every program in the country will be in one place at one time.  The networking opportunities abound. Don't miss the bus children. The conference will also feature pioneers in the field of Black History and Black Women's history. I'm sure that information on graduate school admission, fellowships and job opportunities within the field will be avaiable as well.  Click the link below for more informaiton an the conference registration form.  Before you register be sure to check my previous blog that shares a few things to remember when planning to attend professional conferences. 

Click Here to Visit the Conference Website and Register Today

A Free Trip to NYC to learn more about Columbia University School of Engineering And Applied Science? Yes, Please.

Photo Courtesy of http://engineering.columbia.eduGreetings! Calling all minority engineering and applied science student.  Yes, all of you.  Listen up! We've just been informed of a great opportunity for minority engineering and applied science students. The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science of Columbia University in the City of New York is hosting the Engineering Achievers in Graduate Education Program ( Columbia Engineering EngAGE).  This is a diversity recruitment effort where select students will be invited to New York city for an all expense paid weekend.  This trip includes round trip, travel, meals and hotel accmmodations and gives prospective graduate students the opportunity to visit this very dynamic and presitgious campus nestled in the heart of New York City free of charge.  Just so we're all clear, I mean free as in, you don't have to pay for any of it.  Free as in, nothing, gratis, zip, zilch nada.  A free trip!!!! Students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and current graduate students to discuss the admissins process and help them prepare competive application.  Priority will be given to college juniors from historically underepresent grounds in the engineering and applied science disciplines.  Do not miss this bus children. 

Photo Courtesy of http://engineering.columbia.edu

Click here for link to the program website and application information.  

Application Requirements:

Fill out the online application by clicking here and be prepared to upload the following required documents before you submit your application:

1. A copy of your current academic transcript

2. Personal Statement

3. Resume

Please send the following required documents directly to our office at the address listed below:

1. Your current, official academic transcript

2. Two sealed letters of recommendation from faculty at your college or university

Columbia Engineering EngAGE Coordinator
Columbia University
Office of Graduate Student Affairs

500 West 120 Street, Rm. 254 ET, MC 4708

New York, NY 10027

In the interest of time recommendation letters can also be emailed to Clarissa Pena at ccp2133@columbia.edu

Applications are due by February 10, 2012.  I know it's late but it's not too late yet.  Get going on this application and feel free to email me directly if you have any questions or need any assistance. Tykeia@TheGlamNERDS.com 

Hope to see you all soon ;-)

Graduate School Application Timeline- September Checklist!

This post is for all those gearing up to submit graduate school applications this year.  Successful applicants start gathering themselves early. It's September and application deadlines will be here before you know it. It's best to start compiling the various components of your application now.   

Each month I’ll be posting a checklist of things to prepare in hopes that by mid November you'll be on schedule to submit all of your application materials by or before deadline. September’s checklist is as follows.  Don’t miss the bus!

1. Standardized Tests- If you have not done so already, register to take all required standardized tests. Select a test date that is as early in the Fall semester as possible. This will help you ensure that all of the  programs that you're applying to receive your official scores prior to published submission deadlines. 
2. Narrow You Choices- At this point  you should have a finalized list of all of the graduate programs that you will be applying to.  If you’re still unsure make some time to visit your top choice schools this month.   When visiting check out the facilities, meet with faculty and talk to current graduate students. Gather all available information so that you'll be prepared to make an informed decision and apply to a graduate program that is suited to meet your academic needs and aspirations. 
3. Print and Catalogue Application Materials- Print all application/admissions information for each program that you are applying to.  Read application materials carefully and keep a record of every component of the application process. Make note of the number of letters of recommendation required as well as the number of  official transcripts that must be submitted.  Make sure you highlight each application deadline and make note of specific instructions/specialized deadlines for  personal statements ( ie. page limitations), letters of recommendation,  test scores and transcripts. 
4. Begin Your Personal Statement- Start this process by doing some research.  Check out the blog we’ve posted here on TheGlamNERDS.com and visit other online resources that will give you tips and information on how to organize and draft your statement.   Prepare an outline and meet with a professor or an advisor for feedback to make sure that you're headed in the right direction. 
5. Identify and Approach Recommenders- Now is the time to identify which of your professors you will ask to write your letters of recommendation. Please refer to the blog we’ve posted on recommendation letters for the play by play on navigating this process.  Be sure to  identify a faculty member that is familiar with your work and work ethic and has good things to say about you.  Ask him/her to write your letter in person and after that conversation be sure to follow up and confirm with an email.  Provide your recommender with a packet of information including the outline of your personal statement, your resume, any honors and awards, and or any information concerning any work that you and that professor have done together.  This includes special research projects, lab work, publications, etc. Offer to meet with your recommender to review this packet and answer any questions the programs that you are applying to and/or your academic and professional goals. 

I hope this helps.  I’ll be back next month with more information.  Best wishes to all of you preparing your applications and feel free to contact me with any specific questions. 

Finding the Right Graduate Program Part I

So you Think You Want To Go To Graduate School? That's outstanding. As an aspiring professional degree collector, I think that everybody should have at least one. :-)  For many, graduate school has become a necessary step in fully realizing one’s professional potential. I’m often asked about the factors that should be considered when researching/selecting graduate programs.  As the summer begins, now is a great time to start the process of identifying the right graduate program for you. Hopefully the information provided in this series will be useful for those of you that are consideringmasters and/or doctoral study.  The first four tips are provided below.  Don't miss the bus children. 

1. Consider Your Ultimate Goals- Your first order of business is to make sure that you are relatively clear about what you want to do.  This does not mean that at this point you must have the next 5-7 years of your life meticulously mapped out.  But rather that you have a general idea, inclination, intuition, research interest, question, profession, etc. in mind that will guide and substantiate your reasons for considering graduate school.  I know this seems like common sense but you’d be surprised. Entering a graduate program haphazardly or with no concept of your ultimate academic and professional goals can lead to all types of frustration, wasted time, and more importantly wasted money.
2. Get it Straight From the Horse’s Mouth- Find someone that has the professional job, skills, interests, experiences that you are chasing and pick their brain.  In this day in age your network will take you farther than your library ever could.  Speaking to people can help you focus and filter the information that you encounter when doing your own personal research.  Find someone who’s successfully navigated the road you wish to travel and use them as a resource. Ask them about their graduate program or of  programs that they would suggest you look into. Ask them what you should be looking for in a program. If you don't have connections, establishing a relationship may position you to  use their connections.  You never know who they know. The world is that small.  This is a great place to start in finding the program that’s right for you.  Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to strangers. If there’s a book/journal author or editor, professor, program director, and/or professional that you come across. Send an email, tweet them. The internet has made just about everyone accessible. Take full advantage.
3. Make a Wish List- Make a list of your ideal graduate school experience.  What would your “perfect program” look like? Where would it be? How long would it be? What region of the country/world would it be in? etc.  Once you have your list of ideal program charachteristics rank them in order of importance. You can then use this as a checklist when researching graduate programs. 
4. Your Search Should Start Broad and Then Narrow -  Armed with the advice of your  mentor and your checklist I suggest you consult a database such as www.gradschools.com.  You can use your checklist to filter through thousands of the domestic and international graduate programs.  Doing so should yield you an exhaustive list of options which you can research further and dwindle down to the short list of programs that you’re seriously considering.

 This is a good start.  Check back toward the end of the week for the next steps.