Introduction < | What is a Graduate Student Application? | > Who Decides Who Gets in and What Do They Base it On?
Beginning at the Beginning
Before you apply to graduate school you need to be clear about your reasons for going. What you say in your application should reflect whether you want to become a permit holder or cultural resource management principal investigator so that you will have reasonable expectation of regular employment in archaeology? Or are you interested in eventually going for a PhD to teach at university? You need to be honest with yourself because you will have to explain at some point in the application process what you hope to accomplish by obtaining a higher degree. You also need to be clear about this because it will probably affect your choice of graduate school.The information contained in this guide will not guarantee you a place in a graduate program but it will provide you with an idea of how the information you provide is used to help the schools make their decisions.
What is a Graduate School Application?
It is probably best to begin by defining a graduate school application and to tell you what the information you provide is used for in the application process.Physically an application is a form, transcripts, letters of reference, a statement of intent and curriculum vitae, and an example of written work. It is the information contained in these documents that will convince a university that it is worth their while investing their time and money in you by offering you a place in their program. Remember, there is no face to face interview; its all decided by the paperwork you submit and that paperwork should be immaculate.
Imagine that you are a student at Memorial University in Newfoundland and you decide to apply to the University of Alberta. Until they receive your application, the U of A has no idea that you exist. You have to provide them with enough information so that they can make an informed decision as to whether you are admissible to, will do well in, and graduate from their programme.
The application package you submit to the U of A will be the only chance you have to present a picture of yourself, your interests and your suitability for their programme. The onus is on you to prove that you are better suited to U of A than the many other students are also applying, including any U of A students who are already a known quantity.
And this process begins with the letter (or email) you write requesting an application package. Look upon it as the same way you would apply for a job. Everything should be geared towards creating a good impression.
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Introduction < | What is a Graduate Student Application? | > Who Decides Who Gets in and What Do They Base it On?
