General Information:
Graduate School in Biology
About Graduate Study
For those who would like to spend their lives in the profession of biology, study and training at the graduate level are nearly indispensable. Biology graduate school is preparation for many kinds of important, rewarding, and invigorating professions. However, biology graduate school, like any intensive training, demands commitment, devotion, and sacrifice. Therefore, both the decision to attend biology graduate school and the choice of school deserve scrupulous consideration.
What to Do
Early in college – Begin working with you advisor to decide what type of work you would like to do after you education is complete. Then, decide whether biology graduate school is the best way for you to enter that occupation. If so, probably the single most important thing to do (other than maintaining a GPA > 3.0) is to begin a research experience. Graduate schools believe that a sustained and serious research experience is strong evidence of a person’s capacity for independent, self-motivated work – an essential quality for successful graduate training. BIOL 441-444 provide academic credit for research experience, and several forms of financial support are available. Many Biology faculty members welcome student participation in their research programs. Finally, your faculty research mentor(s) will provide you most credible and relevant letters of recommendation to graduate schools. Start research early – research attempts are usually like pancakes – you have to throw the first one away. To have a finished product to show to graduate schools as a senior, you should begin sophomore year. Consider culminating your research experience with a formal presentation at a professional conference and/or published paper.
Preparing to Apply to Graduate School
Prepare for the General and the Biology Graduate Record Exam (GRE). The GRE in Biology is a biology achievement test required by many graduate schools. The Biology GRE test is not an aptitude test and you will greatly improve your score(s) by reviewing your Biology Core Curriculum courses. Strong GRE scores will earn you the most desirable forms of financial aid.
Most importantly, read, write, and talk about your interests in biology. You must decide what subject you will study, and with whom you will study. Talk to your advisor and Biology faculty members who teach/research subjects that interest you; “browse”current journals at the library to see who is publishing research in interesting subjects, and where they are located. Using Google and other search engines is also a good idea. In addition, talk to visiting seminar speakers. If you are lucky enough to attend a research meeting, talk to other meeting participants about the programs, potential advisors, and current “hot spots” of research. Make a list of biologists who are doing work you find exciting – these persons are your potential graduate school advisors. Send these persons a letter introducing yourself, and describe you interests and accomplishments. Request information about programs of their current research. Make follow-up contacts with those who respond in an encouraging way. Contact graduate students working under you would-be advisor; they are often a better and more willing source of information. Ask them about their advisor, the program, the school, and their job prospects. Finally, make a short list of schools to which you will apply. It is crucial to establish a relationship with you graduate school advisor before applying to the school. If you convince your potential advisor that you are worth having around, your chances of admission and financial aid at the schools of your choice are greatly increased. Conversely, if no professor at a school is directly aware of your wonderful qualities before you apply, your chances of admission are modest at best.
Applying
Most of your work is already done – now fill out the application forms and send them in. You will often have to compose a carefully written statement of purpose or goals that should describe why you are applying to graduate school and what you plan to do there if accepted. Application deadlines are often flexible, but deadlines for financial aid are frequently early – January 1 is common for autumn admission. Generally, the GRE is taken in October or December of you senior year, at which time you should have decided where to apply and be ready to do so.
A Note About Finances
Once accepted, virtually no one pays for most of the expenses of attending biology graduate school. A wide variety of financial aid is offered by graduate schools, generally in the form of grants (fellowships) or teaching/research assistantships, which usually pay tuition and living expenses in return for part-time work. Occasionally, it is necessary to borrow money to pay for living expenses, especially if you decide to attend graduate school in a geographic area with a high cost of living.