Bill Wuest is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Emory University and a Georgia Research Alliance Distinguished Investigator, as well as a recent member of the graduate committeethe group of faculty that agree to advise a student’s rese... that reads and responds to applications. In this interview, he reflects on the process from the faculty perspective, offering insight and advice for applicants.
Q. What made you decide to apply to graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo...?
I was fortunate to have laboratory experience both as an undergraduate and during my summer internships at a pharmaceutical company where I interacted with both graduate students and research scientists. My first hand knowledge of what graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... was about and the need for such a degree to get the job that I wanted drove me to apply.
Q. How did you choose where to go?
I remember sitting down with my undergraduate advisor during the Fall of my senior year and picking 8-10 schools that fit my interests. He pushed me toward some and away from others. I then visited some of the schools that I was accepted to (I regret not visiting all!) and based on those two trips I was able to make an obvious choice.
Q. When you’re reviewing applications now as a faculty member, what makes an applicant stand out?
First and foremost is research experience, especially those that have actively sought summer research experiences or other labs to expand their skill set. I also like to see some diversityin academia, used to refer to the recognition of a wide rang... in the applicant’s interests – did they play sports, do outreachsee “broader impacts”. Outreach might also refer to volu..., participate in clubs? Work-life balance and time management are critical to success in graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... and showing that attribute in the personal statement is important.
Q. How much do you care about metrics like the GREAn acronym for the Graduate Record Exam, a test of verbal, q... score, TOEFLAn abbreviation for the Test of English as a Foreign Languag..., and GPA?
They typically do not factor into my decision unless they are extraordinary (in either direction). I pay more attention to what classes the student has taken and how well have they done in courses that directly relate to the program they applied for (organic, physical, etc). (Ed. Note: As of Fall 2018, Emory no longer requires or accepts submission of GREAn acronym for the Graduate Record Exam, a test of verbal, q... scores. We still require TOEFLAn abbreviation for the Test of English as a Foreign Languag... or IELTSAn acronym for the International English Language Testing Sy... scores for applicants who have not studied in an English-speaking country.)
Q. What makes for a successful personal statement?
The best statements are those that are well-organized, well-written, and tell a unique story. Stick to the experiences that were transformational in your career and tell them in necessary detail. I love to hear about the book or class that challenged your perception or the experiment that wouldn’t work at first but you “tweaked it” and it transformed a project. The latter I find most important as >90% of graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... is overcoming problems and persevering.
Q. What is the best way for applicants to share previous research experience? Can someone succeed in grad school if they don’t have much of a research background?
Use the personal statement to explain not only what you did in the lab but why you chose that area! Explain what you learned and also how you would either like to expand on it or change direction completely. Anyone can succeed in grad school even if they’re fairly new to research; however, if you can find research opportunities, it is worth pursuing them. That might mean looking for summer opportunities or internships or taking a gap year to work in a lab. These are all aspects of your application that will make you stand out!
Q. Are there common mistakes you see students make on graduate applications?
Try and tailor your application to the school you are applying to. Mention who you would like to work with, why you might want to be in that particular area, share any ties you might have to the department. Too many applications are boring – that is, generic and cookie cutter. Try and make yours stand out!
Q. How do you go about reviewing an application?
I typically look for any overlap to my research and network first. Do I know any of your advisors, letter writers, former students from your program? Any way I can obtain an extra data point to calibrate me to your file. If not, I will review your research history, transcript and personal statement to see how you would fit into the dynamic we have at Emory.
Q. What advice do you have for applicants?
This might get me in trouble with my colleagues but do not be afraid to contact the faculty you are interested in! Let them know about your application and your interest in their research. Your enthusiasm for the program will improve your application!
Q. What qualities make for a successful graduate student?
Perseverance, work ethic, and open mindedness are the 3 most important skills in my opinion. Intelligence and experience come with the territory and are easily taught, the others are not.
Q. Many chemistry departments invite admitted students to a recruitmentrefers to the entire graduate admissions process – includi... weekend. How can prospective students make the most of this experience?
Go to as many of these events as you can! Each department is different and you will learn a lot about the “personality” of each at the visit. During the weekend try and talk to as many people as possible. Find the student in the shadows who looks disgruntled, talk to faculty outside your research area, ask people what is their least favorite thing is, find out what the average time to graduation is, do the students go to conferences, where do they work afterward, etc.
Q. What advice would you offer to a student who is trying to decide if grad school is the right path for them?/What should students ask themselves before applying?
Again, talk to as many people as possible. Work with your advisor and ask if they can put you in touch with alumni who have gone in different directions. Grad school is a significant time investment during an important part of your life, I would strongly discourage people from applying if they think its just “the next thing to do.” You need to be invested and excited about the opportunity, not just lukewarm.