Graduate Study in USA

B95606033林致均

Motivation

• Master's degree (MA, MS) vs. doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, and others). – Purposes / Interests– Financial aid– Job markets

Application Processes

• GRE• TOEFL (iBT)• GPA• Search for fields of study• Search for schools/programs• Curriculum Vitae• Personal statement / statement of purpose• Recommendation letters• Interviews

GRE• Reading 30• Listening 30• Speaking 30• Writing 30

• AWA 6• Verbal 800• Quantitative 800

TOEFL

- Jun. / Oct. - Online registration - Free score report opportunity

- Taking test at least 1~2M before the first application due day.

- 2Y score validation - Online registration- Free score report opportunity

Study Resources - The Red Book- Barron's GRE- Xination’s sharing- Cram schools’ handouts

Study Resources - Barron's TOEFL iBT Book - Essential vocabulary guide

Start your preparation as early as possible!!!Start your preparation as early as possible!!!

GRE TOEFL

Start your Start your preparation preparation as as earlyearly as as possible!!!possible!!!

What if you don’t get high scores? -> How much dose it matter? -> Explain to the committees. -> Retake.

GPA

• Transcript• 80~100 -> A (4.0)

70~79 -> B (3.0)60~69 -> C (2.0)

• First 3Y (including summer study and exchange study)

• Overall GPA • Major subject GPA• Last 40 credits GPA

Search for fields of study

• Is there a long-term interest/goal already? If not, start searching ASAP!

• Want to change field? • Internship• Talk to faculty or other students.• Face yourself. Choose what you are devoted

to.

Search for schools/programs• Pre-application • Special requirements

• Scholarship / salary• Length of study• Future career options• International community size• NIH funding• Publications• Locations (safety, price, etc.)• Ranking • Research topic• Faculty members• Fitness

• Necessity of contacting faculty in programs of interest (It depends.)

Curriculum Vitae• It's never too early to write a CV.• Highlights your scholarly accomplishments.

- Contact information- Education- Honors and Awards- Working/research experiences- Publication- Conference Presentations- Grants Awarded- …., etc

Personal statement / statement of purpose

• Who am I? What makes me unique? • Why do I want to continue my studies?• How can I address my academic record?• How do field experiences enhance my application?• Who is my audience?• (Explain your weakness.)

***Be compelling!

Recommendation letters

• Who to ask?• It is best to ask early in the semester. • Provide Information • Waive your rights to see your recommendation

letters. (Confidentiality)• Online submition• Stay aware of the status of your application status.

(Many faculty are tardy.)• When letters of recommendation don't arrive >>>

Email >>> Call (leave a voice mail) >>> Follow up

Interviews

• Getting an interview is a significant step towards winning acceptance to the graduate program of your dreams.

• Graduate admission committee• Do your homework.• Prepare intelligent questions to ask.• Show your interest in that program.• Find out what graduate students really think

about their advisors and the program.

Decision making

• Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX)

Information platforms – 1 ***

http://gradschool.about.com/

Information platforms – 2 **

http://graduate-school.phds.org/

Information platforms – 3 *

PTT - studyabroad - gre - TOEFL_iBT - global_univ

Other Information platforms

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/

http://www.taisha.org/

Thank you for your time!

ally_taiwanlover@yahoo.com.tw