RI EPSCoR, RI-INBRE team up to help STEM undergrads

If there is one thing students need to know about applying to graduate school, it is that the process follows an entirely different path than the one pursued to gain admittance to an undergraduate institution.

“As an undergrad, you apply to a school and the admissions office has certain criteria,” Alycia Mosely Austin, assistant dean of the Graduate Recruitment Initiative at University of Rhode Island, told students gathered for an informational session presented by RI-INBRE and RI NSF EPSCoR. “You need to be a good, well-rounded student and have a broad range of talents.”

For graduate school, however, the focus takes a much more narrow approach to a singular program, Mosely Austin explained. Potential students apply to the program, where people in the department take the lead on admittance decisions.

“Also, when you are looking at programs, it’s not just that program — you also are applying to work with a specific faculty member,” said Mosely Austin. “For your undergraduate school, it’s about your GPA, SAT score and essay. Those kinds of criteria matter in graduate school, but whether you get in can be a fit issue with your research interest.”

The decision also may hinge on the sole fact that the lab lacks funding for a new student and has nothing to do with an individual’s qualifications, according to Mosely Austin.

RI-INBRE and RI EPSCoR, two federal grant programs in Rhode Island based at URI, put on the Nov. 7 session because of its popularity during the annual Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program. SURF directors Brenton DeBoef (RI-INBRE) and Jim Lemire (RI EPSCoR) said they hoped to share the information with more science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students, by offering the informal question and answer session during the academic year.

Twenty-seven students from across multiple STEM disciplines attended the graduate school discussion, and many seized the opportunity to ask questions pertinent to their own journey. Mosely Austin, Lemire and DeBoef took nearly two hours to address their individual concerns.

Choosing a path

The session yielded several questions about whether to pursue a master’s or Ph.D., and what the value might be in considering post baccalaureate programs.

Using herself as an example, Mosely Austin said she took time off after earning her bachelor’s degree and worked for two years in a lab, where she gained exposure to different techniques, insight to the research lab culture, and a deeper understanding of what she was looking for in a graduate school.

Ultimately, the best route depends on an individual’s career goals and whether a Ph.D. will be required for entry. It’s entirely possible, she said, that the application process will give students a clearer idea of their interests and help formulate their goals.

Sometimes, she noted, institutions may offer funding for a master’s degree, but they typically view such programs as a revenue source. On the other hand, a Ph.D. takes a long time to achieve and produces a body of knowledge, which is viewed as a valuable investment.

Post-bac programs serve a purpose, particularly for those students who earn a bachelor’s degree in one discipline and then realize they want to go in a different direction. But for those students continuing on or building on their field of study, a master’s or Ph.D. makes most sense.

Mosely Austin reiterated the value of taking time off between undergraduate and graduate school, but with the caveat that the time should be used wisely: “You want to do something that strengthens your application.”

Picking a program

Students should indicate that they are willing to work with multiple faculty members, said Mosely Austin: “You may get into a lab and find out that you don’t get along. You will want a backup. Also, sometimes, there is a committee of people who read all of the applications. Other times, faculty members will only read applications from people who want to work with them.”

Choosing between the thesis and non-thesis routes goes back to individual career goals and where your passion lies. If, for example, a student aims to be a wildlife biologist and work for a government agency, there are jobs that do not require a thesis or a Ph.D. On the other hand, if the ultimate career goal demands a doctorate degree, then it makes sense to opt for a thesis-based degree.

Keep in mind during the application process to seek out information on funding and what grants might be available, whether through government agencies or the institution. Depending on the size and funding of a program, Mosely Austin said, there may be an opportunity to rotate among professors and research groups for the first year and then align with a specific lab in the second year for the duration of the program.

Just thinking about graduate school? Take research opportunities early on as an undergrad and build experience that will strengthen personal statements. If there is a particular lab that holds interest, ask to work during the summer months, get on the inside track, and see if the lab offers a good fit.

Remember — graduate programs look for skills and competency. At this level, understanding what research is carries greater weight than coursework.

Making contact

Do get in touch with professors prior to submitting an application to convey interest, explain why you find their work compelling and how your experience is a good fit, and ask whether they are taking on new students during the time period in which you are applying. Do not, however, ask questions that are easily answered by a Google search — that can be off-putting.

“Make contact and be specific,” Mosely Austin advised. “Tell them, this is who I am, this is why I’m interested, and ask if they are taking students. Wait a week and if they don’t respond, then email again. It’s okay to be a little persistent.”

Lemire used his experience to emphasize the need to make personal contact: “I applied to several grad schools, but I only got in where I individually contacted a professor. It’s very important that you make some sort of initial contact.”

DeBoef, who receives queries from potential graduate students, added that it made a difference when students were familiar with his research and could talk to their interest in it.

“The coolest thing is when a student will have read my paper and talks about it,” he said. “You don’t have to show off, but to say, ‘I like the work you did in this paper and I’d be interested in doing something like that’ — that speaks volumes.”

The three emphasized that the introductory email should not detail an entire life story, but rather stick to the specifics about why graduate school and, in particular, the interest in a specific program and professor. Tailor each email to the individual being contacted and ask if there is a time to talk or meet.

Letters of recommendation

Mosely Austin said most programs typically want applicants to provide three letters of recommendation. In selecting references, students should ask someone who has experience with writing graduate school recommendations because they know what programs want in candidates.

“You also want to ask people who know you well enough that they can say, This person has these research skills’ or any other skills that are important for graduate school,” said Mosely Austin. “And, someone who can say, ‘Of the people I know who have gone on to grad school, this person is among the top 5 percent.’”

It is important, too, to get an early start and ask for recommendations well in advance, she added: “It’s never too early to ask a professor. More lead time helps. Feed them everything they need as early as possible.”

Personal statement

The personal statement should detail why students are interested in graduate school, in general, and a program, in particular. The function of the statement is to express why an individual is a good candidate.

Avoid using an cliched opening statement like, “Ever since I was a little child, I wanted to be ________.”

“Everyone does it and I don’t know why,” Mosely Austin said of the all too common approach. “It is never presented with any follow up context to make it meaningful. If it’s just a throwaway sentence, avoid it all costs. It doesn’t add any value.”

And, perhaps worst of all, the timeworn statement makes students bleed into the pack of applicants rather than setting themselves apart. For those students who take a gap year or two, address the experience in the personal statement and use it to help illustrate your story, how it helped your development.

Taking the GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)  is a standardized test required for admittance to most graduate schools. The questions test verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.

Plan ahead and take the exam well in advance of the application deadline so there is time to take it again for an improved score.

How many applications

The general consensus seems to be that students aiming for graduate school should apply to six to 10 programs, with the latter amount being preferable. Do make individual contact for each application and make visits wherever possible, and speak to students already in the program..

Lemire noted: “If you are uncertain, graduate school is a big jump to make; it’s an awful lonely place if you’re not happy doing what you’re doing. Take some time to figure it out.”

If the application fee poses an undue financial burden, schools often offer a waiver to those who qualify for assistance.

Story and photo by Amy Dunkle