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. 

Photo Courtesy of http://www.afam2012.northwestern.edu

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

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

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 ;-)

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. 

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.

As I’ve said here time and time again, if you’re interested in going to grad school,  Graduate and Professional School Fairs are events that MUST make your to do lists.  This is an opportunity for you to not only get information from many schools at once, but you also get the chance to meet and connect with very important faculty & administration.   Due to administrative cutbacks and efforts to prove efficiency, many colleges have resorted to sending faculty to do recruiting.  This is important for a variety of reasons.  Long story short, these are the people you need to be impressing.  Once you get to graduate school, faculty rule the world.  They make admissions decisions and determining which students get the most funding.   You want them to remember you for all the right reasons. Your outfit speaks volumes before you open your mouth so I’m here to make sure that both of you are saying the right things.

First things first follow the instructions.  Flyers, emails, and marketing materials about your graduate school fair will always let you know the expected attire for the event.  Some fairs require business attire while others prefer business casual.   Follow these instructions and you’ll never go wrong.  I personally don’t feel that suits are necessary but business generally means the following.  

• Wear clothes that fit you body and flatter you build. Pay very close attention to the word fit and love you body enough to dress it appropriately..  Learn your assets and how to showcase them in a classic and sophisticated way.  You clothes should fit you with ease and should make you the focal point of you look.  Things like strained seams, puckered buttons and pulls and riding up are distractions. 
• Don’t show too much skin-  The same rules that apply  on job interview day, apply here.  Skirts should be moderate lengths, no cleavage, bare shoulders, backs or midriffs.  Shirts and sweaters shouldn’t be too form fitting and blouses shouldn’t be sheer , loudly colored or overworked with sequins, bows, or other embellishments.  
• Iron your clothes.  That is all.
• Make sure you hair is neat and your makeup and accessories are classic, practical and understated.  Make sure you can carry all of the materials that you’ll be getting in an organized way.   I’d also stay away from hats, cocktail rings, bulky noisy bracelets and large earrings.  Less is more.  You’ll be free to express yourself as an admitted student
• Your shoes should be comfortable and stylish.  Comfortable doesn’t mean casual.  Wear business appropriate dress shoes.   Uggz, sneakers, and flip flops need not apply. 

I personally don’t feel like you need to be suited and booted.   You can dress casually and still looked polished. Jeans can be tough and I don’t know that I would wear them but if you must there are a few rules.

• Make sure your jeans are well fit and straight leg.  When I say well fit, that means not too tight and not to loose. 
• Make sure your jeans are a dark solid wash with a hem that falls nicely  over your shoes.  Stay away from cuffs or messy bunching.  
• Your jeans should have no exposed labels, colorful stitching,  additional fabrics and if they have more than 2-3% lycra leave them in your closet. 
• Pair your jeans with a good fitting blazer, button down shirt or even a cardigan and cami.   Solid colors or simple patterns and in classic clean fits are a must. 

I know this was a longer post but I feel this information is super important.   Many of us get into this game with systems and stereotypes already stacked against us.  It’s in our best interest to make sure that we’re doing all that we can to ensure our intellect and potential are not overshadowed by  the slight fashion don’ts we all fall victim to from time to time.   Hope this helps.

Now that we’re getting into October you should be assessing your needs and organizing yourself to start this journey.  At this point you know which programs you will be applying to, it's time to start compiling the various components of your applications.  Read and review all application materials thoroughly.  Write down deadlines and application components and group applications in chronological order.  List what each program application requires and pay close attention to detail. Make note of things such as the number of required letters of recommendations, school codes for standardized test scores and institutional policies concerning transcripts.  In the past I've made an excel sheet listing programs by deadline to keep my organized.  Once I laid out exactly what I needed to do for each application, I set my own deadlines and get to work.   I've provided an example of the excel sheet I've used in the past, below. 

After you've got your application checklist and timeline squared away you can start pulling things together. October is also a good time for you to begin drafting your personal statements, essays and writing samples. Work toward developing rough/working drafts of each of your statements/essays and start organizing a support team of strong editors, readers and revisers to make sure your writing is clear and effective.  There is nothing worst than a thrown together statement/essay.  A good application reviewer will be able to spot your half assery at a block's radius. Get your stuff together with plenty of time of editing and refining. I've posted a personal statement blog that you can find here, Personal Statements, 2.0. It should get you started on writing your personal statement.   

It's also time to start reaching out to those you’ve identified as recommendation letter writers.   Again, I’ve already given you The Ins and Outs or Recommendation Letters in a previous post to help get you started. Click the link above and check it out!  And keep it here, there is so much more to come.  

 I’ll be back on November 1st to give you more info on the next steps to take in navigating this process.

 I hope this helps.  Here’s to a GREAT week!

Undergraduate vs Graduate Study

Most baccalaureate degrees generally prepare you for life. The academic skills you've acquired throughout your secondary years are honed and tweeked to ensure that you are a broadly educated, socially aware, critically thinking, contributor to society.  You're taught to reason, justify and support your decisions. Through your major you can elect to develop a specialized professional skill set that will give you the fundamental preliminary skills needed to embark upon the career of your choice.  

Graduate School on the other hand is all about the mastery of skills and the sustenance of the knowledge.  In graduate school you build upon your existing skills and understanding and are trained to be an authority in your field.  In college, you learn how to do your job but in graduate school you learn about your job/profession through the context of its history, roles, functions and broader implications & impacts.  You learn the conditions necessary for success in your position and you learn how to assess and ensure those conditions as things change and evolve in the world.   With this knowledge you’re positioned for leadership. 

For example, let's say in college you learn how to be a Human Resources (HR) officer.  You learn the basic functions and procedures of a Human Resources office/division and  you learn how to make sure the job gets done.  In graduate school you are taught Human Resources from the perspectives of where it came from, why it matters and what it has the potential to do/be.   You understand its necessity in the organization(even in the world) and you learn the conditions necessary for it to thrive.  Armed with this knowledge you are positioned for great responsibility within your organization. That responsibility is almost always accompanied with the compensation (fiscal, personal, ethical, etc) that we’re all working to realize

Don’t get me wrong,  like Rev. Higgs at my church sings every year around graduation time, “The Tassle is worth the Hassle”.  I’m not writing this in an effort to shoot anyone’s dream or dissuade you from pursuing the graduate degrees of your choice.   On the contrary,  I aim to be the battery in your back. Graduate study is slowly becoming a mandatory step in ascending the ladder of success.  You can do this.  You must.  I’m just trying to see to it that you know exactly what it is that you have to do and can prepare yourself accordingly. 

Leave a comment. Let me know if this was helpful and of any other information you'd like to see me write about. I'm an open book. Got a question. Leave it and I'll do my best to answer it. 

As always I hope this helps,

Tykeia

The GlamNERD. 

First things first, you need to take some time to decide if graduate school is for you. Think about your life and career goals and truly assess if and just how graduate school fits into those goals. For some of us, it’s a given. If you want to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc. the path set before you is pretty clear. However for some of us, the roads to who we want to become are not at all straight.  Be strategic, research your dreams and learn exactly what it’s going to take for you to realize them.

Armed with that information I’d say reach out to a professor or advisor that you’ve worked with and let him/her know of your interest in graduate study. Make sure this is someone who’s gone through the process that you know and trust.  Take advantage of their experiences their successes and their mistakes.  Being able to benefit from their contacts is an added plus as well.  Networking is a tool you need to master and master quickly. Professors often have colleagues at their alma maters, people they’ve served on committees and projects with, or met through professional organizations. Let them know you’re considering graduate school and are shopping for opportunities. The right phone call  at the right time could very well be the answer to your prayers.

 I’d also suggest you to start paying attention to emails, newsletters, flyers and other announcements of the graduate school fairs and open houses. Google graduate school fairs for specific disciplines or areas of academic interests and see what comes up. Fairs are a great way to get a lot of information on a number of graduate school programs and opportunities all at once.  The next post in this series will deal with questions to ask at a graduate school fair, open house or visit.

This is just a start so please be sure to continue to check back for more information. Thanks for all of the support. I love you guys!

Tykeia

Aka

The GlamNERD