When you’re preparing an application to graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... More, it can be hard to imagine that there are real people waiting to review it. In this article, we share some thoughts from multiple Emory faculty about their own graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... More journey and how they read applications.
At Emory, all graduate faculty accepting students review applications, so you are getting a range of feedback from real people that might read your work if you apply.
Q. What made you decide to apply to graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... More?
In all honesty, I enjoyed learning new things as an undergraduate, and I hadn’t decided on a career. Grad school gave me an opportunity to really dig deep into science and perform cutting edge research, while exploring many career options previously unknown to me. I also believed that an advanced degree would be beneficial, an opportunity to gain life skills (e.g.communication and people management) that would serve me well in whatever future career I chose. I still believe this to be true!
– Kate Davis
I just loved doing research as an undergraduate and I wanted to do more research. I wasn’t certain about the subsequent step after grad school – I just loved the idea of being at the cutting edge of science and making new discoveries.
– Khalid Salaita
My curiosity for science drove me to apply to graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... More.
– Lili Wang
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... More was about and the need for such a degree to get the job that I wanted drove me to apply.
– Bill Wuest
Q. How did you choose where to go to graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... More?
Many factors informed my decision. Initially, I knew I wanted to be in striking distance to family, so I only applied to schools within a day’s drive of home. Once I received acceptance letters to a subset of those, I attended as many visit weekends as I could, and carefully looked through the research offerings at each institution. I’m a pretty practical person, so I took stock of each program’s culture, the positions open in my desired research groups, and fundingBasically, money. Specifically, in a chemistry grad school c... More sources available to me in a given program compared to the cost of living in that location. In the end, I balanced geography, research opportunities and finances, and I absolutely don’t regret my choice!
– Kate Davis
Two reasons. The first is that I had read and enjoyed papers from a particular lab and so I wanted to work with that advisor. The second reason is that my girlfriend at the time had dropped out of college and moved back to living with her parents in Chicago and so I wanted to go to grad school in the Chicago area.
– Khalid Salaita
I considered the PIs I wanted to work with, the school ranking, and the school location to decide my choice. Among all those factors, the rule of thumb for me is that there should be at least two groups that I am interested in in the department just in case I cannot get into my first-choice group after rotation.
– Lili Wang
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.
– Bill Wuest
Q. When you’re reviewing applications now as a faculty member, what makes an applicant stand out?
The personal statement! (See my answer to the next question!)
– Kate Davis
Applicants that have research experience, publications and presentations at conferences always stand out to me.
– Khalid Salaita
The research experience in the personal statement and letters of recommendation.
– Lili Wang
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... More in the applicant’s interests – did they play sports, do outreachsee “broader impacts”. Outreach might also refer to volu... More, participate in clubs? Work-life balance and time management are critical to success in graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... More and showing that attribute in the personal statement is important.
– Bill Wuest
Q. What makes for a successful personal statement?
A clear personal statement that showcases a student’s interests and enthusiasm for science, describes specific aspects of their previous life/educational experiences relevant to their future as a graduate student, and makes direct connections to research or faculty in our Department.The clearer the student’s motivation, and research experience or interest in our Department’s research foci, the better!
– Kate Davis
Applicants that have research experience, publications and presentations at conferences always stand out to me.
– Khalid Salaita
The ability to explain science succinctly really makes the personal statement stand out.
– Lili Wang
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... More is overcoming problems and persevering.
– Bill Wuest
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?
Absolutely! Not everyone has the same opportunities as an undergraduate, but that does not mean that they cannot succeed in grad school. Details are important here. It helps to provide context for what opportunities were available to you, and how you sought out other opportunities or took advantage of those presented. Even if you weren’t able to do much research before, discussing what you have done and how it connects with what you want to do is important. Maybe you haven’t worked in a research lab, but you took a class where you had to do an independent research project, etc. Show the reviewers your enthusiasm, as well as your hands-on experience, and don’t forget to be specific!
– Kate Davis
I think each applicant should tell their own story – each of our stories are unique and different. Personally, I like to see it told chronologically with all the ups and downs that come along with doing research. All types of students with different backgrounds and strengths/weaknesses can succeed ingrad school. There is not one mold. But certainly success in grad school requires hard work, determination, and a lot of creativity.
– Khalid Salaita
The best way for applicants to share their research experience is to explain the significance of their previous research, the challenges/aim of the research, the approaches to achieve the aims, and the results…. These should be explained clearly and concisely.
– Lili Wang
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!
– Bill Wuest
Q. Are there common mistakes you see students make on graduate applications?
One is forgetting to change information in your application that you tailored for another research program isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but it may imply a general lack of due care and attention, or possibly a lack of enthusiasm for our program. Very vague personal statements that could be written by anyone make it impossible to effectively evaluate an applicant. And not directly addressing challenges you faced that could provide context for a rocky undergraduate semesterrefers to the defined academic period during which single co... More, etc. is a missed opportunity. We all struggle sometimes, so those details are important to distinguish excusable hiccups from concerning patterns.
– Kate Davis
The most common mistake is not explaining why an applicant switched labs or received a bad grade in a key chemistry course in the personal statement. I think we all struggle sometimes and it is important to address the struggles.
– Khalid Salaita
I do not think there are actual mistakes, as every application is different. But I think applicants should pay attention to finding a letter writer who knows them well enough to strengthen their applications.
– Lili Wang
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!
– Bill Wuest
Q. How do you go about reviewing an application?
I like to read the personal statement first, then go through the CV and then read the letters of support in that order. I feel like I want to hear the applicants voice first and then see how experiences and other faculty reinforce that narrative.
– Khalid Salaita
I read the personal statement and research experience carefully. I also pay attention to both GPA and the classes that the students have taken in their transcripts. Especially for the classes, as concern may arise if the applicants do not have certain classes that are necessary to prepare them for grad school.
– Lili Wang
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.
– Bill Wuest
Q. What other advice do you have for applicants?
Prepare your application ahead of the deadline and ask other people’s opinions and comments on your application documents.
– Lili Wang
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!
– Bill Wuest
Q. What qualities make for a successful graduate student?
Enthusiasm for science
Perseverance in the face of adversity
Work ethic
Attention to detail
Imagination
– Kate Davis
That is a hard question. Of course, all grad students share a common love of chemistry, work hard, and generally excel in their formal coursework. But beyond those common traits, grad students can be successful in different ways. Some students succeed because of their incredible attention to detail which allows them to reach new discoveries. Others are successful because they are creative risk takers and this allows them to test innovative new ideas. Others can be successful by knowing how to reach out to others for help and this allows them to bridge across different sub-disciplines of chemistry.
– Khalid Salaita
Curiosity, ability to learn, resilience, persistence to get work done, communication skills for science and co-workers, etc.
– Lili Wang
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.
– Bill Wuest
Q. Many chemistry departments invite admitted students to a recruitmentrefers to the entire graduate admissions process – includi... More weekend. How can prospective students make the most of this experience?
Talk to as many students and faculty as you can. Ask all your relevant questions, including the awkward, uncomfortable and difficult ones. Be sure your relevant queries include those regarding various opportunities available to students, as well as the requirements for student success, in each program. Pay attention to program culture. Take notes so you can compare to other recruitmentrefers to the entire graduate admissions process – includi... More events you attend.
Be curious! Ask lots of questions and talk to the graduate students.
– Khalid Salaita
Visit the labs and talk to the PIs. This is the way for prospective students to sense the style and culture of the department, the labs, and the individual PIs.
– Lili Wang
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.
– Bill Wuest
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?
I think the undergraduate research experience is often the best indicator – if you enjoyed that experience, then you are likely to enjoy grad school and you will find it rewarding and fulfilling. Grad school is a time of self-discovery and growth and if you are willing to put the effort it will pay dividends.
– Khalid Salaita
The goal of graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... More is to train students to be independent researchers and next-generation leaders for society. Therefore, graduate schoola school that offers advanced degrees. Important! Some schoo... More is not supposed to be easy. There will be a mindset change for students to adapt to grad school as the students will need to actively gain knowledge through hands-on experience instead of waiting in the classroom for lectures. Students should consider whether grad school is something they like and can handle before signing up for five years of their life.
– Lili Wang
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.