|
Graduate Schools are looking for diverse, thoughtful, well-prepared,
ambitious, and mature candidates who stand out in the applicant pool.
Tailor your application: explain why this particular program at this
particular university is a good fit for both you AND the institution.
Mention potential faculty members with whom you would like to work and/or have
as an advisor. Discuss your interest in their publications, and further
avenues of research that you would like to explore.
Tips for a good application:
- Check spelling, grammar, and proofread!
- Leave nothing blank.
- Send something - a resume or paper that is directly related to the program
to which you are applying.
- If you've been published, share this information.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) consists of two types of tests:
a General Test and a Subject Test. The General Test is a computer-based test,
which contains analytical writing, verbal and quantitative sections, and is
required by almost all graduate programs. This test is offered year-round at
testing centers around the world (Lebanon College in Lebanon, NH is nearest to
Dartmouth). The Subject Test, an achievement test offered in 8 major
disciplines, may also be required by some graduate programs. The Subject Test
may be taken on campus in November, December or April. Test dates in spring of
junior year or the following summer, certainly no later than October of senior
fall, are recommended for students applying senior fall, unless courses
relevant to the Subject Test will be taken during fall term. Registration
bulletins are available in Career Services and at www.gre.org.
Faculty letters of recommendation are an important part of your
application. Before requesting letters, consult the graduate school
catalogs for specific instructions. Usually two or three recommendations
are required. Since recommendations are weighed heavily in the admissions
decisions, make your choices carefully, gathering strong evaluations from
persons who have had an opportunity to observe your academic strengths and your
personal qualities.
Contact your professors early. Make an appointment with each of your
letter writers to discuss your course work and other interests as well as your
plans for graduate school. Provide your writers with an idea of what you
feel they could share that would be relevant to the admissions committee and
with information about yourself: transcript, resume, writing samples,
etc. Many writers appreciate having a draft of your application essay;
some might like a copy of a paper you wrote for their class. Specify a
reasonable deadline; professors are busy, and they write letters out of
interest in you and in your future. Given the Dartmouth calendar, they
may be on leave when you need to have your letters, so check their schedules
early. It may take more than one reminder and a longer time than you
might expect, so allow at least four weeks from the time of request.
The Dartmouth College Credential Service (available at leo.dartmouth.edu)
Dartmouth students and recent graduates may establish a file with Letters of
Evaluation Online (LEO) to assemble letters of recommendation from faculty and
employers.
Career Services will mail letters only to schools, and will never release
the confidential letters directly to the applicant. All files will be
maintained for ten years following graduation. It is your responsibility
to check online through LEO that letters you have requested have arrived in
Career Services. Please note that we require 3-5 days from the time of
you request via LEO to process and mail your letters of evaluation.
Although many graduate school applications include recommendation forms with
their applications, these forms are usually not required. Dartmouth
professors and administrators prefer to write recommendations on their
letterhead stationary and send them to your file in Career Services or directly
to the schools.
Graduate programs require official transcripts from all colleges and
universities where you earned credit. Although credit for coursework completed
elsewhere is recorded on your Dartmouth transcript, grades are not;
consequently, transcripts from all institutions you attended must be sent to
schools. Transcripts are ordered through the Office of the
Registrar, 105 McNutt Hall and must be ordered at least one week advance of the
required mailing date.
Many schools require an essay or series of essays discussing such topics as
your experiences in your field of study, your level of academic achievement,
what specialty is of particular interest, and your career preference.
Individually tailored essays to each school are recommended. You should
discuss why you want to join the graduate program, the faculty with whom you
would like to study, and what you have to offer. Make sure to have a faculty
member read it over. Remember to proofread!
Tips for a good essay:
- Write strong opening and closing paragraphs
- Substantiate your interests in the program
- Tell what distinguishes your candidacy
- Make sure that your essay is clear and concise
Interviews are often optional, but may be useful, both to obtain information
about the programs and to present your strengths. Before the visit, read the
website, catalog and any other brochures the department supplies and review
faculty interests. You will make a better impression if you have done your
homework in advance and can ask specific questions. A visit is always helpful
even if an interview is not required.
Common deadlines are between December 15 and February 1. Getting your
materials in early can only help your case (November is fine). All application
materials are not always sent to the same office. For example, applications and
transcripts may go to a centralized Graduate Admissions Office, letters of
recommendation to the specific department, financial aid forms to the Financial
Aid Office. Read the directions carefully.
Some schools will admit you and then allow you to defer entrance for a year
or two, some schools will not. It is best to learn the school's policy before
you apply. If you plan to apply for graduate study one or more years after
graduation, get an early start: open a LEO credential file and take the
GRE.
Financial aid is often based on a combination of merit and financial need.
Applicants should begin by contacting the schools to which they're applying to
determine what support is available and to obtain the requisite financial aid
application forms. Note that financial aid deadlines may be earlier than your
program application deadlines. All schools require applicants to complete
a FAFSA form (Free Application for
Federal Student Aid) for federal aid. Applicants are automatically
considered independent after graduation, although some schools require parental
information for the purpose of determining the applicant's eligibility for
private institutional funds. FinAid, has
information on loans, scholarships, and grants.
Private aid represents a major source of funding. Students enrolled in arts
& sciences graduate programs generally receive tuition assistance from the
institution, which usually covers the full cost and includes living stipends
for teaching and research assistance. In addition to general university funds,
many graduate departments have special awards, scholarships, and research or
teaching assistantships. Private market loans (i.e. bank loans) also are
available. FastWeb matches your interests
to available scholarship opportunities.
For general information on financial aid consult the U.S. Department of
Education web site. In addition, consult a financial aid advisor at the
school you wish to attend for specific information and instructions. Due to the
highly regulated and complicated system of aid, you will want to find out
exactly how the funding works, what the aid covers, and the application
deadlines, which are strictly enforced.
Look into scholarships administered by agencies outside the
universities. Information on scholarships for graduate study can be found
online.
Students can enhance their educational experiences through funding options that
support undergraduate and post graduate research projects. Dartmouth's
scholarship advisor provides students with general advising, mentoring and
support on issues related to national scholarship/fellowship processes.
There are a wide range of foundations and several endowment-gift accounts that
can support your goals. Please monitor the Scholarship/Fellowship Options
Blitz Bulletin and visit Kristin O'Rourke, Scholarship Advisor in the Dean of
the Faculty Office in Wentworth Hall, Room 114. You may reach the office
by phone at 603-646-8647 or email.
|
