Applying to Graduate School

Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Career Development Centre Fall 2015

Information Session

• Overview of graduate studies: purpose and structure • Researching and choosing a program • Application procedures and information • Financial aid/funding • Graduate Programs at Laurier • Questions

Why do it? • To allow more focused/in-depth study and more self-directed learning • Professional development, advancement: adds value to your

undergraduate degree; provides more marketable skills; expands career possibilities

• An MA or MSc: – a basis for career advancement – to provide advanced study/skills building in an academic discipline or

profession – a stepping stone to a PhD degree

• A Master’s degree in a professional or applied discipline (e.g., MSW, MFin, MBA, Master of Music Therapy, Master of International Public Policy, etc.): – provides preparation for work in the profession – necessary for professional accreditation – may also lead to doctoral level study

Work Load?

• Smaller classes and seminars allow for more interaction

• Programs have a research component

• Typical program: – 3-5 courses plus a thesis or major research paper

OR – for course-only (Master’s) programs, 7-9 courses

• In the professional programs: – 8-10 courses + potential practicum or work placement (1-2

year programs)

Research Potential Programs

• Talk to faculty members at Laurier • Talk to current grad students • Ask graduates working in your field • Search for print and online resources • Contact admission reps and faculty members at the

prospective schools • If possible, visit the schools and tour the departments

Career Cruising • www.careercruising.com • Username: wlu • Password: laurier • Click on Education and Search for Programs

AUCC • www.universitystudy.ca

Research Potential Programs

• Target programs that best meet your interests, goals, and abilities

• Find admission requirements, deadlines (range from Dec. - Feb. for September admission; check to see if there are other term starts for programs)

• Reputation of university, department, program • Research interests of faculty • Email possible supervisors if research-based program

How to Choose…

• Never too early to start thinking about applying. • Program options (course-only, thesis based, full- or part-

time) • Average time to completion of degree • Tuition and sources of financial aid • Consider community: quality of life issues (e.g., cost of

housing, transportation) • Does it meet professional designation requirements? • Admission is competitive

Admission Criteria

• 4-year honours degree: minimum grade point average in last 1-2 years of study

• Many professional programs admit students from other fields of study

Application Package

• Application Forms • Transcripts • Graduate Admissions Test (if applicable) • Statement of Interest/Letter of Intent • CV/Resumé • Portfolio/Sample of Work • Letters of Reference

**The Career Centre can help you with all stages of the application process

Application Process

• Apply online through the individual university’s website • For Laurier: www.wlu.ca/gradstudies/apply

• For other types of programs, there may be a centralized

site: – Colleges: www.ontariocolleges.ca – Teacher Education: www.ouac.on.ca/teas – Law School: www.ouac.on.ca/olsas – Rehabilitation Sciences: www.ouac.on.ca/orpas – Medical School: www.ouac.on.ca/omsas – Nursing/Pharmacy: www.ouac.on.ca

Transcripts

• For applications to most Ontario universities, transcripts for previous studies in Ontario may be requested via the online process

• For other applications, order transcripts through the

Service Laurier

Graduate Admissions Tests

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) – General and/or Subject tests

• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) • Law School Admission Test (LSAT) • Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT) • Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) • Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)

Statement of Interest/Letter of Intent

• Introduction to the admissions committee • Tailor each statement to the specific program • Focus on accomplishments and experiences – be

positive • Discuss what value you will add to the program • Make your statement stand out from the rest – make

it “personal” • If answering specific questions, look at the wording

of the question

Statement of Interest / Letter of Intent

• Questions to consider: – Why are you applying to this program? – Why is this school/program a good fit? – What are your career goals? – What are your research interests? – How to address any weaknesses in your application?

**Ensure your statement is free of spelling/grammatical errors

Resumé or CV

• CV = Academic Resumé

• Highlight academic achievements, awards, related courses, research (including undergraduate thesis or directed studies) and teaching experience

• Leadership/volunteer experience is also important

Sample of Written Work/Portfolio

• Many academic programs ask for a sample of written work

• For programs such as design, journalism, etc., a portfolio may be required

Letters of Reference

• How to best prepare for requesting a strong letter of reference?

• Who should you ask? – Asking for a supportive letter

• Importance?

How much does it cost?

• At Laurier: – MA/MSc/PhD: $2857/term – MMT/MSW: $3765/term – MFin: $7949/term – MBA: $9537/term

• Remember: you will be enrolled all year (3 terms) for at least one year for a master’s; 3 or 4 for a PhD

Financial Aid • Laurier guarantees a minimum level of support for

students in certain types of programs: – in research-intensive master’s programs: average of

$14,500 – in doctoral programs: $19,000 (average=$25,000+)

• Check guarantees of other universities carefully and get funding commitment in writing: wide variation

• Get clarity on what components factor into funding (TA, RA, studentships, etc.)

Components of Financial Aid • Teaching Assistantships (TAs)

– helping professors with undergraduate pedagogy (course design, classroom teaching, grading)

– maximum of 10 hours/week (on average) up to 130 hours total/term on campus work

• Scholarships (internal university & external: SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, OGS)

• Research Assistantships (RAs) – professors pay from a research grant for help with research project

• Studentships (Training Stipend) – professors provide training support from a research grant to a student working

on a research project; student makes intellectual contribution to project

Think about Laurier: Graduate Programs FGPS “Prospective Student Page”: wlu.ca/gradstudies/whylaurier

Apply here? – Absolutely! We have great programs & it may give you a leg up

if you are already involved in some research.

• Applied Politics MAP • Biological and Chemical Sciences PhD • Business Administration MBA • Business Economics MA • Chemistry MSc • Communication Studies MA • Community Music MA • Criminology MA • Cultural Analysis and Social Theory MA • Divinity MDiv • Education MEd • English MA, PhD • Finance MFin

And more… • Geography MA, MES, MSc, PhD • Global Governance PhD • History MA, PhD • Human Relationships PhD • Integrative Biology MSc • International Public Policy MIPP • Kinesiology MKin, PhD • Management MSc, PhD • Mathematics MSc • Music Therapy MMT • Philosophy MA • Psychology MA, MSc, PhD • Religion & Culture MA, PhD • Social Justice & Community Engagement MA • Social Work MSW, PhD • Sociology MA • Theology including Spiritual Counselling MA

Further Education Fair

• Grad Studies, Teacher Education, College Programs, Study Abroad, Business, Law

• List of participating institutions on Career Centre Event Calendar at www.wlu.ca/career

Waterloo Wednesday, Oct 28th 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Paul Martin Centre • Concourse • Senate & Board Chamber

Brantford Thursday, Oct 29th 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Research and Academic Centre West • Wilkes House Gym

Questions?

Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies 519.884.0710 x3127 gradstudies@wlu.ca wlu.ca/gradstudies/whylaurier wlu.ca/gradstudies/programs wlu.ca/gradstudies/contacts

Career Development Centre www.wlu.ca/career Waterloo: 192 King St. N. 519.884.0710 x4495 careercentre@wlu.ca Brantford: SC Johnson Building, room 112 519.756.8228 x5726 careerbrantford@wlu.ca