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

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.

College/Graduate School Application Timeline - What You Should Have Done By October

So it's October already.  We're almost half way through the Fall 2012 semester.  KUH!RAY!ZEE!  Before you know it college and graduate school applications will be due.  Last month I gave you a checklist to start the application process and I'm back to share some check points of how to proceed in completing your college and graduate school application process. Ain't these neat little monthly increments convenient ?!?  This post should be helpful to high school and college seniors and/or adults and working professionals who plan to submit applications for undergrauate or graduate programs that will begin in the Summer or Fall of 2013.  The rules given here will be useful to students of all ages and class levels.  Read on to make sure you're on the right track. Don't miss the bus children! 

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!