Getting accepted into a graduate program can be a multi-step process that involves submitting personal statements and letters of recommendation, as well as interviews with faculty members in the program you hope to join.
Much like your applications materials and interviews for a potential job, this process to join a graduate program is your chance to demonstrate that you have a track record of success and a future direction that aligns with the program's goals. Let’s make the right mark.
Personal Statements
Grad school personal statements are written documents that typically cover your research interests and achievements. Sometimes you will be asked to identify possible faculty that you're interested in working with. Sometimes you will receive a general writing prompt, and other times you’ll respond to a specific essay question or questions tailored to the program.
Graduate programs' admissions staff use these statements to assess potential matches for their programs. While the primary goal is to determine educational goals and interests, reviewers also are evaluating your writing skills. Writing is often a big part of graduate school, whether it’s law school or a Ph.D. in physics.
Graduate school is competitive, so your personal statement should effectively advertise your skills and background. Covering your unique qualifications, experiences and connections is important. There's a lot to think about, but there are plenty of people at Oregon State to help you through the process. Tutors at the Writing Center can help you brainstorm ideas, organize your thoughts and revise your statement, or you can work with your major-specific advisor from the Career Development Center to gain feedback about preparing a strong personal statement.
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Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation is a written document from a supervisor, professor or other non-family individual who has observed your successes, character, progress and other impressive achievements. Letters of recommendation should be written by those who hold great respect and appreciation for you and can communicate that. The more advance notice you give, the more likely someone will be able to accommodate your request, so aim for a minimum of two weeks.
You must ask someone to write you a letter of recommendation before you list them on an application. When you do ask them, you need to explain what program you are applying for and why you are interested in pursuing graduate school. This will help them gauge what to highlight in the letter. You also need to clarify the deadline and how to submit it (to you or the employer directly, electronic or hard copy, etc.).
Graduate School Interviews
Graduate and professional school interviews can take various forms: one-on-one meetings, group interviews, campus/faculty visits, panel interviews and/or phone interviews. Not every program requires interviews, but if your program of interest does, here are some tips. This is also your opportunity to learn more about whether the program would be a good fit for you.
- Do your homework. Know the school, program and faculty, especially those with whom you want to work (use the web and your networking skills). Contact graduate students to get the real scoop on the department and faculty. There was a reason you applied to this school and chose this field—recall why and convey that during the interview.
- Know your goals. Consider whether your goal is to teach, do research, go into the industry, etc. Really think about what area you’d like to specialize in and what topic you might pursue for your dissertation/thesis.
- Review your transcript. Be aware of “glitches” in your transcripts and be prepared to explain them (just as you may have done in your statement of purpose). In addition, remind yourself of commitments outside of academia that may contribute to making you a strong candidate to succeed in graduate school.
- Practice. Do a virtual practice interview through StandOut and/or schedule an interview practice appointment with your college-specific career advisor.
Common Graduate School Interview Questions
Personal Characteristics/Strengths
- Tell me about yourself.
- What do you want to get out of completing this program?
- How would this program complement your career aspirations?
Academic Experiences/Performance
- Why did you major in _________?
- Which courses have you enjoyed the most and which were most difficult for you?
- What will you do if you are not accepted into our program?
Leadership/Teamwork
- Tell me about a group in which you were involved. How did you contribute to make this group achieve a goal?
- Tell me about a time you assumed a leadership role.
- Tell me about a time you were faced with a difficult situation and how you handled it.
Field-Specific Questions
- What do you believe to be the major current trends in this field?
- Tell me about your past experience doing… (operating XX machine, using XX statistical model, writing in XX style, analyzing XX data).
- What problem in the world troubles you most? What would you do about it?
Questions Applicants Might Ask an Interviewer/Program Coordinator
- What characteristics distinguish this program from others in the same academic field?
- What opportunities are available through the program to gain practical work experience? Are there opportunities such as assistantships, fellowships or internships available?
- Do most students publish an article/conduct research prior to graduation?