Graduate Admission Committees

Research identifies six general competencies graduate faculty would like to see in their students:

• Explanation: ability to develop an argument, produce hypotheses and defend ideas
• Synthesis: mastery of content, ability to work independently and synthesize information
• Creativity: intellectual playfulness, ability to generate new ideas
• Communication skills: ability to write reports, give presentations and discuss ideas
• Planning skills: ability to design an experiment, organize a paper and develop a goal
• Professionalism: participation in professional organizations, collaborative work and informal engagement with peers and faculty

The first four competencies are measured by the GRE in the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections. The last two are noncognitive variables; students' best opportunity to showcase these skills in their graduate application is through the personal statement and the curriculum vitae.

To be considered seriously for admission to our graduate program, or to any graduate mathematics program, a student must have a strong background in mathematics. We usually look for students with at least seven mathematics classes beyond calculus, and we expect to see good grades in these courses. What constitutes "good grades" depends somewhat on the quality of the school, so we do not have a specific GPA requirement. Some graduate programs do have minimum GPA requirements, and some also require a certain score on the subject GRE, although we happen not to require that exam.

We typically have, however, many more applicants with strong backgrounds than we can admit and support financially. I read letters of recommendation closely and what these letters tell me about the student is of critical importance. In seeking letters of recommendation, an applicant should find faculty members, preferably mathematics faculty members, who can address the question: Will this student succeed in a mathematics graduate program? Professors who have had the student in one or more upper-level mathematics course are usually able to answer this question. If a student has participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) or has completed a senior thesis, the professor who directed the research project would also be an excellent candidate for writing a letter of recommendation. Indeed, especially for students coming from smaller schools, having a letter from a professor at another institution is often quite impressive.

I also am interested in knowing why a student believes that our department will be a good fit for him or her. Thus, it is helpful for a student to address this point in the statement of purpose.

The application deadline for our department is January 15, and we try to make initial decisions within a couple of weeks after that date. One reason for acting quickly is that we invite the applicants to whom we intend to offer admission with financial support to visit our department in late February. This brings me to a final point about the application process: One should communicate outside the formal admission process — via e-mail, by phone or in person — with the graduate chair or someone on the admissions committee. Doing so helps the members of the admissions committee know who is really interested in the program and why they are interested. Moreover, from the student's perspective, such direct communication helps a student know if a particular program will be a good fit and if the faculty will take the time to work with students.

Here are some factors that students should keep in mind when they are applying to Graduate School. First, the graduate committee in sociology looks at the student's application packet as a whole rather than focusing on any one single item. For example, if a student's grades are slightly below our minimum GPA requirement but the rest of the application is strong, we would still consider that student. In other words, one weakness out of six in an application does not preclude that student from being accepted into our program. Second, it is also helpful for the student to be upfront if part of his or her application is not as strong as it could be. For example, if a student had lower grades one semester, he/she should explain why in the letter of intent (perhaps an illness or death in the family). A lower GRE score in one area compared to another could be buttressed with a discussion of course work or a writing sample that emphasizes strengths in that area. Explaining upfront keeps us from guessing and possibly rejecting the application. We are much more likely to consider a student's application if we know the reason behind a weakness or steps they have taken to address it. It is always to the student's advantage to address the weakness rather than ignore it. Third, the graduate committee also looks at whether the student's file is complete by the deadline. If it is incomplete at our deadline, we do not typically review the file. One exception is if the file is missing only one reference letter (which may not be the student's fault), we would still consider the applicant if the letter arrived shortly after our deadline. This omission, however, may move the student to the bottom of our short list.

At our admissions committee meetings, not only do we look at the qualifications of the individual (e.g., GRE scores, grades, reference letters, and writing sample), but we also look at how they fit with our department's strengths. This is where the student's letter of intent is important. Because we want students who are interested in studying in our main areas of concentration, it is to the student's advantage to make that clear. Access our web site and look at faculty members' research activities. For example, if a student is interested in family sociology and sees that Professor X is doing work in that area, the student might say that they are interested in Professor X's research and that they would like to work with that faculty member. Knowing that a student's interest areas tie in closely with some faculty member in the department is a definite strength to the application.

After reviewing the files, which we do shortly after our deadline of January 15, the graduate chair will typically notify students within 2-3 weeks if they are admitted to our program. We also have a “back up” funding list, so even if a student does not hear about funding from us right away, he or she might still be admitted to the program and may even be eventually funded. Throughout the spring semester, financial conditions might change due to new grants, instructional demands, faculty members who go on leave, etc. If students have questions about their file or the process, they should contact the appropriate graduate chair or admissions chair.

In our Department of Educational Administration, we have a graduate admissions committee that reviews hundreds of files each year for places in our graduate degree programs at the master's and doctoral level. There are some useful things for applicants to understand in making sure their application receives careful attention.

First — I can't emphasize enough — follow the requirements. We frequently receive calls wanting to know why our admissions committee didn't review a file. Our response is that the file wasn't complete; something was missing. Make sure that in completing applications you provide all of the information requested.

Second, take time with personal statements requested by the admissions committee. Make sure that your language is clear and correct. Proofread carefully.

Third, realize that you want your application to stand out and be remembered by the members of an admissions committee. You can do this in two ways: 1) present information about yourself that allows the committee to discriminate positively between your application and all others, and 2) make your application stand out through the power of language. Look up Strunk and White's book, Elements of Style, and follow their advice about language. Do not use clichés.

Make sure your vita or your resume is current and that it portrays your accomplishments and skills.

Don't prepare your application alone. Have others critique every part of it for you. Actively seek advice.

Finally, try to see your application as the members of the admissions committee will see it. This means being self-critical.