PREPONDERATE
(v) to be heavier in weight
(pronounced “pree-empt”)
Example Sentence:
“The evidence fails to PREPONDERATE against the trial court's finding that they were reasonable and necessary.”
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PREEMPT
(v) to take the place of
(pronounced “pree-empt”)
Example Sentence:
“Moreover, apologies preempt further animosity by palliating the aggrieved.”
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PRECURSOR
(n) something that comes before
(pronounced “pri-kur-ser, pree-kur-”)
Example Sentence:
“In past recessions, such hiring often was a PRECURSOR of permanent hires.”
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Applying to grad school can sometimes feel like a maze where documents are requested, fees are paid, tests are taken, and essays are written, all without any seeming rhyme or reason. How can you make sense of it all, and be successful in your quest for admission to a graduate program?
I'll break it down, step by step, in weekly installments of the Grad School Admissions Tip of the Week. This week, in the last installment of the Gearing Up for Grad School series, we'll talk about grad school application interviews.
Unless you're applying to medical school or business school, it is fairly unlikely that a formal interview will be part of the application process. However, you should be prepared for one in the event that one does come up (as can be the case with highly competitive programs), or if the school allows you to request an interview (an opportunity you should take advantage of, if possible).
Acing an interview can be boiled down to three things:
- Being prepared.
- Being enthusiastic.
- Being yourself.
Let's talk about each of them in a little more detail.
Being prepared
Don't go into an interview "cold"--that is, without first becoming thoroughly acquainted with the program, the school, and (if possible), your interviewer.
How can you prepare?
- Research the program. How long it is? What are the available specializations? Who are some of the notable faculty?
- Undertake self-evaluation. Why do you want to attend this program? What about the program attracts you? What will you do after you graduate? Are there any particular members of the faculty you want to work with? What are your goals within the program? How will you "fit into" what the program has to offer?
- Know your answers. Run through a mock interview in your head. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes--what would you want to know about someone seeking admission into your program? Make sure that you know how to connect the dots between you goals, aspirations, and qualifications and how you fit into the program and school. Imagine yourself a professor at the university to which you're seeking admission--what would you look for in a student? Make sure you can convey those attributes..
Being enthusiastic
Nothing will turn off an interviewer faster than someone who doesn't seem to care. It is your job to present yourself in a pleasant, approachable, engaging manner, and to make sure you convey enthusiasm for the program to which you are seeking admission.
How can you convey enthusiasm?
- Be knowledgeable about the program and its offerings. This ties right back into our first point, being prepared. Someone who is excited about a program will know it--and know it well.
- Be friendly. Smile, shake hands, ask how the interviewer is doing.
- Be polite. Let the interviewer talk and ask questions, and make sure to respond in a thoughtful, thorough manner.
- Dress appropriately. Business casual may be fine for some interviews, but you may need formal business attires for others. Make sure you ask before packing.
- Have questions to ask. Don't let the interviewer do all the talking: Make sure you have intelligent, thoughtful questions of your own--and make sure that your questions aren't things that can easily be gleaned from the school website.
- Be nice--to everyone. Administrative staff, graduate students, people you run into in the hall--you never know what kind of influence different people have. You also never know how small a department might be. News of a rude or unfriendly applicant can get around fast; don't risk it.
Being yourself
At the end of the day, nothing will work as well for you as being yourself. Prepare for the interview and be ready to present your best side, but don't let preparation get in the way of your own genuine personality. Remember, that's what interviewers are looking for--you. They want to put a face to the application, and want to know if you'll fit in with the rest of the students and faculty. The best way to let them gauge that is by being yourself.
____________________
Have a question about applying to grad school you'd like me to answer? Send me an email.
Check out the Grad School Admissions Tip of the Week archives!
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POSEUR
(n) someone who pretends to be something they're not to impress others
(pronounced “poh-zur”)
Example Sentence:
“Faking it is obviously common but also the easily detected sign of being a POSEUR.”
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POLEMIC
(adj) relating to controversy
(pronounced “puh-lem-ik, poh-”)
Example Sentence:
“The Journal does not desire to engage in a POLEMIC editorial debate.”
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PLAUSIBLE
(adj) believable
(pronounced “plaw-zuh-buh l”)
Example Sentence:
“They have failed to find a PLAUSIBLE explanation for its existence.”
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PLATITUDINOUS
(adj) dull and unoriginal; clichéd
(pronounced “plat-i-tood-n-uh s, -tyood-”)
Example Sentence:
“He winced, but Joan rattled on with the PLATITUDINOUS originality of youth.” From "Adventure" by Jack London
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PLASTICITY
(n) the quality of being like plastic
(pronounced “pla-stis-i-tee”)
Example Sentence:
“The PLASTICITY of the brain provides life-course opportunities for resilience and enhanced mental health.”
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Applying to grad school can sometimes feel like a maze where documents are requested, fees are paid, tests are taken, and essays are written, all without any seeming rhyme or reason. How can you make sense of it all, and be successful in your quest for admission to a graduate program?
I'll break it down, step by step, in weekly installments of the Grad School Admissions Tip of the Week. This week, we'll talk about additional documentation you may be required to submit when you apply to a graduate program.
You need to be prepared to submit more than just your application, essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores when you send in your grad school application. Most, if not all, programs of repute will also ask you for additional information--in fact, many of them will ask you for multiple pieces of additional information. Among these additional bits are:
- GRE Subject Test scores
Make sure your read the application instructions carefully--some of them may recommend or require that you take GRE Subject Tests in addition to the GRE itself. This is mostly applicable to those seeking advanced degrees in the sciences, although there is one GRE Subject Tests in Literature in English that you may be required to take if you're looking for an advanced degree in a related discipline. If you do have to take a GRE Subject Test, make sure you check out the GRE website; it has plentiful information on the subject tests, as well as practice information and booklets you can download for free.
- Supplemental, department-specific, application materials
Some programs may require you to submit a one- to two-page department-specific application in which they will ask about your background in the field, may ask you provide responses for some short-answer question, and might ask you to list your motivation for pursuing an advanced degree in a particular discipline. Again, read the application instructions carefully. Often, these department-specific supplements will not be listed in the primary application, and will only be accessible through the departamental website. Make sure to double-check--and call the school if you're unsure of the requirements.
- A writing sample
This is a fairly common requirement. It can take the form of many different things: a critical or scholarly paper, a term paper, a senior thesis, a master's essay. In every case, make sure that your sample is extremely well-proofed (grammar, spelling, punctuation, tone, theme, cohesiveness) and is, ideally, written only by you (some schools specifically state they do not accept co-authored pieces). A few things to keep in mind: (1) Some programs have page limits on the sample. Stick to it! (2) Sometimes, departments will want the sample written about a specific topic. If they do, oblige them! (3) Some may request a piece that's actually been published in a scholarly journal. If you do not have such a piece, contact the school and inquire as to what you can submit in its stead. Do not simply submit an unpublished piece!
- List of advanced courses taken previously in the field in which you are seeking an advanced degree
This is very self-explanatory. The only not here is to make sure you include courses that are truly advanced. You do not need to provide a full recounting of all courses in a specific discipline, only the advanced ones.
- List of published articles
Make sure you provide this list in whatever citation format (either MLA or APA) preferred by the institution.
- Essay detailing specific concentrations or areas of desired specialization
Again, this may be something that is not readily seen in the general application. Make sure to read the department- or program-specific application instructions, and that you stick to the content, length, and formatting specifications detailed.
There are many different types of additional documents you may be required to submit as part of your application. Make sure to read the application instructions carefully--often, incomplete applications will not be read until all materials are submitted, and you can easily avoid these delays by submitting all required documents from the start.
____________________
Have a question about applying to grad school you'd like me to answer? Send me an email.
Check out the Grad School Admissions Tip of the Week archives!
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