Grad Source Asked Admissions Departments..., Grad School Article

"What tips would you offer to prospective students when preparing their applications?" "I think that prospective students should make a personal call when they have questions about any part of the application process. If there is a toll free number or email address to use, take advantage of them. Personal contact with someone during the application process is a good way to get the answers you need while opening a door that can be helpful time after time throughout the graduate experience. There is no substitute for that." Martin Tadlock, Dean College of Professional and Graduate Studies Bemidji State University "If you are sending the application electronically, print a paper copy after you have completed the application and carefully review all of your responses. In the enthusiasm of completing the application, errors can occur that affect the timing of a response that you receive from the university. Verify your data and make sure all fields are completed correctly." John F. Smith, Executive Director Office of Enrollment Services University of Houston-Clear Lake "Take the GRE/GMAT or required entrance test as early as possible to avoid a delay in processing your application. Not only can a decision be rendered more quickly, but many schools now offer graduate scholarships directly related to performance on your standardized test." Dave Fletcher, Director of Graduate Admissions Barry University "It is very important that your personal statement reflect why you are interested in the specific program to which you applying. Do your homework when selecting a program. Know the faculty's research interests, read their publications and mention them wherever possible in the statement. This reflects that you are serious about this program, and see it as propitious to your educational and professional future. You may have high test scores, a fantastic GPA, come from an Ivy League institution and not be admitted if your research and/or professional objectives do not mesh with what the program has to offer." Greg Canada, Director of Admissions California Institute of Integral Studies "One of the most important parts of the graduate school application is the statement of interest. Assuming that grades and test scores meet the standards required by a graduate department, the statement of interest is often the difference between a positive or negative admission decision. Faculty are looking for students who write well and will not have difficulty completing requirements. Faculty are also looking for students whose academic and professional goals "fit" what the department or program can provide. The statement should include what topical areas the students intends to pursue, perhaps something about the research or creative activity in which the student would like to engage while in graduate school, what professional or career goals the student has and why the student believes the particular graduate program to which he/she is applying will best meet academic and career goals. I would also advise prospective graduate students not to be discouraged if a particular program does not admit them. Often it is not a negative reflection on their undergraduate preparation or their ability to be successful in graduate school, but reflects the faculty's perception that their program is not the best "fit" for a given student and will not meet their needs." Donna E. Schafer, Dean Research and Graduate Studies Humboldt State University "It's very important that students take some time to thoroughly read the application from start to finish. Understand exactly what information is required and when the application deadlines are. I advise students to review the application, put it down for a few hours or a day and come back to it so they can digest everything that's needed. If you are applying to an overseas or international graduate school applying early is even more important. Lead times for submitting applications and applying for financial aid are longer; the admissions decision takes longer on the part of the university; scholarships require more research on your part and you'll need to get a student visa, health insurance, arrange housing and an airline ticket for the country you'll be studying in." Steve Luther, Associate Director, Full Degree Programs AustraLearn: North American Center for Australian Universities "When preparing your application materials, plan early, request early and submit early—especially those materials you cannot directly control, such as transcripts, test results and letters of recommendation. Request your letters of