Career Development
Center
  Occidental College
 1600 Campus Road,
Coons 109
 Los Angeles, CA
 90041-3314

 Email: careers@oxy.edu
 Phone: 323.259.2623
 Fax: 323.341.4900

Graduate and Professional Education Information

How to Apply

After doing your research, you need to select the programs to which you will actually apply. Most prospective graduate students will apply to several programs, often ranging from the ideal program, through good choices, to a "back-up" program (just in case). Applications to graduate programs are often complicated, require fees, and have specific deadlines. You need to begin the application process early in the autumn before you plan to enter your graduate program.

Application Forms and Application Fees

1. Write, call for, or pick up the necessary application materials and forms prior to, or early in the fall before you plan to begin your graduate studies. There may be both an institutional and a program application required, so ask. Graduate programs in some fields use centralized application services that require a special form (common in law, medicine, and dentistry) that may be due as early as October 1st. Applications will have deadlines by which they must be received. Note to what office each application, or part of an application, must be submitted. Finally, find out about the application fees and make sure those are submitted properly.

2. Complete the application forms exactly as instructed. Each item is included for a reason and referring the recipient to your resume or vita is not normally appreciated.

3. Submit the application form and all other materials by the deadline and to the proper office. Make certain that the application fee is for the correct amount and in the correct form.

Admission Examinations

Most graduate programs require admission examinations and will consider your scores as part of their evaluation of you. Like the written application materials, test scores will have to be submitted and be available by a certain deadline. Many of the graduate admission examinations are now available on computer and may be scheduled for individual testing at an approved testing center.

1. Which test should you take? This depends on the field you plan to enter. Tests include: 
 

GMAT	Graduate Management Admission Test
LSAT	Law School Admission Test
MCAT	Medical College Admission Test
DAT	Dental Admissions Test
GRE	Graduate Record Examination. Most other programs.
MAT	Miller Analogies Test. Used by some graduate schools.

 
2. When should you take them? The answer is early.  Programs require test scores to consider your application. Scores remain "current" for about five years, so some students take the examination in their junior year and may again take it in the fall of their senior year. Before deciding to do this, however, find out how the programs to which you are applying regard multiple scores.  Do they take the most recent score or do they average the scores?  Computerized testing is now common--and the only option available for some of the tests. Scores are immediately known to you and can be sent wherever you request within a few weeks.

3. How should you prepare for an admissions test? The jury is still out as to whether the commercial test preparation courses are worth the investment. They will acquaint you with the test format and suggest test strategies that may prove useful. This information, however, may also be available through the testing organization itself and through books and computer test preparation materials that are available in bookstores. Often university resource centers will have these available for use by registered students.

Letters of Recommendation

Most graduate and professional programs will require you to obtain recommendations from people in a position to speak to your qualifications in the field. They may specify the types of recommendations that must be submitted (academic, personal, employment). Some programs will ask that detailed forms be submitted, others will ask for individualized letters. Though you may be asked to submit these with other application materials, in most cases those making the recommendations will be asked to mail them directly to the program. In general you should:

1. Check the program's requirements for recommendations before asking anyone. Know the type of recommendations being requested and the format they must follow (form or letter).

2. Ask permission before listing the name of anyone as a reference.

3. Send a written request for the recommendation to each person being asked. At least two weeks before the due date, provide each with:

• A copy of your resume/vita and any other information you feel is relevant;
• The form or guidelines that outline exactly what is expected in the recommendation;
• The deadline by which the recommendation must be received;
• Correctly addressed, stamped enveloped.

4. Send a thank you note to each person who takes the time to do this for you.

The Personal Statement

Many graduate and professional programs require applicants to submit a personal statement or other essay. This may be requested to assess your interest and motivation in the program or field. It may also be requested to assess your ability to write clearly and correctly. You may be given detailed instructions regarding its contents and length, or you may be free to write whatever you want.

Often personal statements include:

• What is special about you?
• When or how you became interested in the field?
• What have you learned from experiences related to the field (employment, volunteer activities, research)?
• Your career goals?
• Explanations of gaps or peculiarities in you academic record.
• If you have overcome any unusual obstacles or hardships.
• What personal characteristics (integrity, persistence) or special skills (leadership, writing) do you have that would enhance your prospects for success in this program or field?
• Why you are interested in that particular program?
• Anything else that you feel makes you a strong applicant.

The Resume or Curriculum Vita

Graduate and professional programs may require you to submit a resume or curriculum vita addressing your qualifications for the program. Though similar in many regards, the curriculum vita is usually more detailed and focused on scholarly accomplishments (research, publications, presentations). In either case, the information contained should be organized to support your application. Occidental College’s Career Development Center can help you develop an effective resume or vita. There are also numerous resources available in print format or over the Internet.

The Interview

Many, though not all, graduate and professional programs require a personal interview as part of the application process. If not required, you may find an interview to be a useful way for you to determine if a program would be a good choice for you.

If an interview is required you should take time to prepare yourself well. You should do as much research about the program, its faculty, and the institution as possible. You should be able to speak about yourself in relationship to the program and field, why you are interested in that particular program, and your future goals as they relate to completion of the program. In most interviews the applicant will have an opportunity to ask questions. These should address information that will help you assess the suitability of the program for you. You should not ask questions that are already answered in program literature.

Look at the items under "Personal Statement" to get an idea of the questions you may be asked.  You may schedule a Mock Interview with a Career Counselor to prepare for the interview.