Some of the information pertains only to Windows and will not be useful if you use a Mac. Information for the Internet and Word, Excel, and Powerpoint should be helpful in both computing environments.
Instructions and screen prints are from a computer running WindowsXP and OfficeXP (2002). If you use a different version of Windows or Office, your screens may look slightly different but should be consistent enough to follow along.
Start doing researching the minute you start considering going to graduate school. You need to make sure you aren't caught with without time to fulfill the requirements. For example, you may need classes to prepare for a graduate exam, or you may need a language proficiency before you get there.
If you are already a junior, I beg you to please start NOW!
The best resource for which schools to look at: the professors in the field you are considering! Ask for not only a list of schools they are familiar with, but also a list of their academic peers they respect. You can then find out where they teach.
Along the same lines, make note of the authors of the books you read, and the authors listed in their bibliographies. Find out where the academics YOU respect teach.
Think about where you want to live. If you can't stand big cities, it doesn't matter if Columbia has the best program in the world. It can be helpful just to list the states you are willing to live in, and then use Yahoo to find a list of schools you can find there.
Princeton Review and Peterson's publish books that are indexed by academic subject - hang out in the CDC library and jot down some names.
You can always google your subject to find a college that offers it - and be creative with the search strings.
The index books can give you a good idea of statistics, but the best information comes from the graduate school websites.
What is your ultimate professional goal? Do you need a Masters or a Doctorate?
If you need a Doctorate - are you ready to make the 5-8 year commitment right now, or do you need to get a 1-2 year Masters and get to work ASAP?
What is the reputation of the school as a whole, but most importantly of the department? Don't forget that there are very weak departments even at the most famous institutions, and excellent departments hiding where you wouldn't think to look.
How competitive are admissions? Do not automatically discount the best and brightest programs. Apply to a range of schools - and don't be afraid to apply to the best. YOU are not the one making the decision, and you cannot judge or divine what the admissions committee needs.
What is the main focus of the program and the coursework? Most program websites list which areas they are strongest in - if you want to study Shakespeare you don't need to look at the program that focuses on Post-Modern lit. Are there any professors that share your research interests?
Who are the faculty members? What's the student/teacher ratio? If the department is too small, you won't find a full range of courses offered every year. Keep in mind you don't want to get stuck in the middle of a transitioning department.
How much will is cost, and what financial aid do the schools offer? It's no lie, private schools have more money to offer you. And the grand majority of PhD terminal programs offer full support (which may be scholarships, teaching fellowship, an on campus job etc). Don't forget to check the cost of the living in on campus or in the area.
Does the school offer career placement services? Where have the graduates from your field moved on to?
What kind of resources does the school offer someone with your interests? How extensive are the library, technology, laboratory etc. facilities?
Don't forget about the university as a whole. Big, middle, or small school? Urban or rural? Climate? Recreational and cultural opportunities? Diversity?
What are the admission requirements? Are there preferred majors or coursework you should complete? Do you need a standardized test or any other department specific conditions?
Even before you being the application process, you can get ahead by asking your professors for recommendations. You may have a great class with a wonderful professor, but not apply for graduate schools for another two years. Take advantage of that rapport and get a recommendation right away, if you don't plan on taking another course with them in the next year. The CDC offers a service for keeping recommendations on file, so that you will have enough copies for when you need them and so that you don't have to dig them out of your room years later.
When asking for recommendations, be prepared. Let your professor know that you will provide them with your transcript, examples of your work from that class, an idea of when you would like them to focus on, and if you are already sure of where you are applying, some information on the programs. If they agree to write you a recommendation, follow up immediately with the above, plus instructions for placing it on file at the CDC or envelopes stamped and addressed to the colleges you are applying to.
First narrow down your top choices for schools. Keep in mind the costs of applying when deciding how many to send. Each application has a fee, plus there will be fees for sending transcripts to each school, taking standardized tests and sending them. Don't break the bank, but remember this cost is an investment in your future. You may qualify for waivers depending on your current financial aid situation.
Next, make a master list of all schools with their application deadlines and necessary application materials. Keep the deadlines on your Big Picture and do not get stuck running around at the last minute! You may have no control over how fast your test scores or transcripts are sent. You CANNOT write a graduate school statement the night before!
Plan on taking any standardized tests as early as you can stand. Summertime might be best, because it will require a lot of studying that you do not need to add on top of schoolwork. You may need to take the test again, so schedule it with plenty of leeway. Most tests should be scheduled 4-6 weeks in advance, as they will send you bonus study materials. Doing well on the tests means practice, practice, practice. Make sure to practice the test in the format it will be given. If the test is only offered on the computer, like the GRE, it would be a disservice to study only on paper.
Your personal essay is something you can begin working on right away, once you have a final list of colleges. The question is often similar from one application to another, so it is possible sometimes to reframe the same essay for multiple applications. Be very careful to answer the question asked, however. To reframe an essay is not to simply cut the last paragraph off and rewrite it with the name of the next college. While your answer may be similar, each program is different and you will want to emphasize different things for each of them. One college may ask for 1000 words, another for 300. More is not necessarily better - get to the heart of who you are and what you want as soon as possible. The 300 word essay just may turn out better than the longer ones.
Your personal essay is just that, personal. You should reflect long and hard about yourself and your future before you even think to being writing. Some questions to ask yourself:
What's special, unique, distinctive, or impressive about you or your life story?
What details of your life (personal or family problems/history, any notable accomplishments, people or events that have shaped you or influenced your goals) might help the committee better understand you or help set you apart from other applicants?
When did you originally become interested in this field? What have you since learned about it and about yourself that has stimulated your interest and reinforced your conviction that you are well suited to this field?
How have you learned about this field: through classes, readings, seminars, work or other experiences, or conversations with people already in the field?
Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your academic record that you should explain?
Can you recall a specific incident that convinced you that you had chosen the right career path?
What attracts you to this particular school?
Are there any specific faculty members whose work interests you?
What specifically do you hope to gain from this program?
What is your dream job? What would you ideally like to be doing in 5 years? 10? 20? How can this program help you achieve that?
The most important part of applying is attention to the details. You must remember to request all transcripts from every college you attended be sent to each program. You must make sure your test scores are sent. You must make sure your recommendations arrive on time, and your applications with fee payment, essay, and writing sample (if needed) arrive before the deadline. Get your applications in as soon as you can. Many colleges have rolling deadlines and may fill the slots before your dossier arrives. The added bonus of getting your applications done early is that you will be able to concentrate on your schoolwork, and have time to come to terms with the fact that the decision is not within your power.
The ultimate decision lies within the hands of the admissions committee, and there is no way to know what they are looking for. Just remember they are looking for a total package, not a specific set of numbers and letters. Do your best to present yourself honestly and proudly in your applications. The school that is right for you is out there waiting - and you will be accepted!
