Graduate School Guide
Qualification Evaluation
From
the catalogs, from CRC resources, and from conversations with alumni and
faculty, you should have a feel for how competitive each program is. Keep in
mind that the expectations of Ph.D. programs are higher than those for most
Master's. Knowing this, and evaluating your abilities, will aid you in selecting
programs that are not only suited for you, but in selecting schools to which you
have the best chance of being admitted.
Things to Ask Yourself |
Testing | Narrowing Your Focus
Things
to Ask Yourself
What
is the extent of my knowledge in my chosen field? What courses have I taken?
What research have I done? What seminars have I attended? What books have I
read? What work/internship experience do I have? How are my research and
composition skills? What other experience do I have (e.g., volunteer activities,
computer skills, extracurricular, peer advising and tutoring)? Do I meet the
prerequisites of the program(s)?
With answers to these questions you can evaluate what sort of candidate you
are. Testing Now
is perhaps a good time to mention testing for admissions. The best known test,
the Graduate Record Exam or GRE, is similar to the SAT. There are two types of
GRE testing. The first part is often called the general section and is intended
to measure aptitude. The other section, a separate test, is often called the
subject test and can be in any of a dozen or so subjects including economics,
biology, psychology, etc. More on the subject tests will follow. You will find
most schools require that you take at least the general exam. Many will ask for
both. Check gre.org and GRE Bulletin for
registration forms, deadlines, times, locations and other important information.
Copies are available at the CRC. Some
graduate programs will require that you take the Miller Analogies Test or MAT.
This consists of 100 analogies arranged in increasing difficulty. These tests
cost $50+, require a photo I.D. and are given by appointment. Wesleyan students
may take them through Trinity College. Contact:
Counseling
Center
Trinity
College
76
Vernon St.
Hartford,
CT 06106
(860)297-2415
Typically,
schools require you to take tests no later than the October or December dates
for admission the following fall. Later dates will fall after most application
deadlines. Check Petersons and the schools Web site to see which tests are required for each program.
It
would be helpful to have your scores before you make your final selection of
schools so you will have a better idea of your chances for admission.
Students
whose native language is not English may be required to take the Test of English
as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Test of Standard English (TSE).
Informational booklets and applications are available in the CRC.
Narrowing Your Focus Talking
to faculty in appropriate departments at Wesleyan will prove insightful, if not
critical, to choosing wisely.
In
this process of narrowing your choices, there are several things to look for.
You may want to contact the department chairs or deans of the various programs
to which you are applying for more information on faculty. Try to find out such
things as:
- How active is the faculty in research?
- How do current students view the program?
- What is the basic departmental philosophy, orientation or thrust?
- Look at the available resources. What financial support is offered, both
internal and external? How accessible are the library, laboratory, computer
facilities?
- Find out basic information about the program itself: its purposes, courses, job
placement, advisement of students, student-faculty ratios, intern/assistantship
opportunities and degree requirements.
- Pay special attention to foreign language requirements. Most Ph.D. programs
require some level of competence in a foreign language.
You
will probably be exhausted at the end of this process, but you will probably
also know where you are applying and where you most want to go.
If possible, visiting
schools is a good idea before you begin narrowing your focus. Talk to
faculty and students. See facilities. Get a feel for the program and try to
picture yourself in that environment. Often the feel you will get for a place is
instrumental in decision-making.
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