A P L AY B O O K F O R T H E A P P L I C AT I O N P R O C E S S
T H E G R A D U AT E S C H O O L GAME PLAN
T O P I C S O F T H E D AY
Graduate school?
Find a University
Find a program
Make good use of resources
Plan your study
Apply
GET IN THE GAME Now is the time to “Get in the game.” If a graduate degree is your goal, start now!
PRE-GAME
W H AT H AV E I D O N E ?
W H AT A R E M Y I N T E R E S T S ?
• Undergraduate courses
• Master’s degree
• Plus, any post-B.A. coursework
• Doctoral degree
• GPA • Undergraduate institution • Research experience
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
• GRE
• Play to the strengths of your experiences
• Volunteer activities
• Gain additional skills/experiences
• Tutoring/teaching experience/internship
FINDING A PROGRAM • • • •
Understand the discipline Identify your niche Locate programs in your field Find universities that have the programs you want • Consider the location • Funding availability
• Talk with faculty • Learn more about the program • Discuss research interests • Is the program a good fit for you?
• Talk to students, post-docs, and graduate coordinators
IDENTIFY YOUR COACHES/MENTORS
• Faculty at your institution • Faculty from summer research program
• Supervisors • Mentors
A P P L I C AT I O N PROCESS
SET YOUR GAME PLAN
• • • • • • • • •
Visit/Talk with your faculty mentors Visit program websites Learn about faculty research Be realistic about career goals Identify where you will apply Identify deadlines and timeline Pay attention to required materials Organize materials & contacts by school Identify your coaches
A P P L I C AT I O N PROCESS
Learn more about KU programs: graduate.ku.edu/currentprogram-profiles
Apply:
gradapply.ku.edu/apply
C O M M O N A P P L I C AT I O N M AT E R I A L S • Proof of B.A. degree (plus any post-B.A. coursework/degrees) • Proof of English proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS (less than two years old) • Support or supplementary materials: letter of introduction/interest (personal statement), resume, letters of recommendation, writing sample, GRE scores (no more than 5 years old), etc.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
M I N I M U M G PA R E Q U I R E M E N T • 3.0 as indicated on official transcript, from a regionally-accredited institution or foreign university with substantially equivalent bachelor’s master’s, or doctoral degree requirements. • Specific graduate programs may require a higher GPA.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS Regular Admission & obtain waiver from AEC
Regular admission
TOEFL (iBT)
Reading, listening and writing part scores at least 23
Reading, listening and writing part scores at least 20
IELTS
Minimum overall score 6.5, at least 6.0 in listening, & writing
Minimum overall score 6.0 with no part score below 5.5
PTE
Minimum overall score 58 with no part score below 53
Minimum overall score 55 with no part score below 50
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
P E R S O N A L S TAT E M E N T
LETTERS OF R E C O M M E N D AT I O N
• Have faculty read and comment
• Purpose?
• Get help at the writing center
• Who should write a letter?
• Write. Edit. Rewrite. Finalize.
• How do I ask? • Submission process
• Waive right to see? YES • How many?
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
GRE
FORMS
• Practice will improve your score
• Complete forms online
• Understand the structure
• Save changes
• Know what works for you
• Go back to complete the application
• Keep it in perspective
• Remember your account for checking status
TRANSCRIPTS • Copy of official for initial review • Degree conferred official sent directly from institution needed for second semester of enrollment • gradapply.ku.edu/apply
• Follow the instructions • Send transcripts • Double check instructions • Official and sealed • Confirm receipt
ADMISSION PROCESS
FA C U LT Y P E R S P E C T I V E
ADMISSIONS COMMITTEES LOOK AT T H E E N T I R E PA C K A G E
• Looking for students
• Undergraduate institution
• More likely to speak for students they know
• Grades and courses • Letters of recommendation • Fit of research interests
• Research experience • Professional experience
ADMISSION PROCESS Submit application
Program review
• Apply to a graduate program online, and pay the application fee
• Graduate program reviews application and forwards decision to graduate division (school or college)
Division review
• School or college reviews application and forwards recommendation to KU Office of Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies review
• Graduate Studies reviews application and emails official recommendation to applicant. Applicants receive an email with a link to the decision letter. Admitted application will receive their KU online ID in the official admittance letter.
FINANCING YOUR DEGREE • Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) • Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) • Graduate Assistantship (GA) • Fellowships, scholarships and sponsorships • Ask about: stipends, tuition, benefits
REMEMBER… • Funding is different for different disciplines • Funding is different at different universities • Funding is related to the level of your studies • Get it in writing
CLOSE THE DEAL LIKE A WINNER
A C C E P TA N C E : T W O - PA R T PROCESS • The program offers you admissions (and financial support)
• Accept or decline the offer
BEFORE YOU DECIDE • Financial support? • Campus visit (in-person or virtual)? • Faculty mentors? • Career goals?
Finish like a winner • Treat all programs with courtesy • Respond in writing • Do not burn bridges
S TAY C O N N E C T E D T O K U
gradapply.ku.edu
K U C O N TA C T S
AMANDA OSTREKO, AMANDAO@KU.EDU
G R A D U AT E A D M I S S I O N S , G R A D U AT E A D M @ K U . E D U