So, um, what is grad admissions?

Graduate School
1

<p>So for undergrad we have SAT, SAT II, GPA, course load, EC, community service, job, recommendation, essay, and interview. </p>

<p>What are used for top tier grad school admissions? Which ones are the most important?</p>

2

<p>GPA GRE Reseach Recommendation Essays Interviews (sometimes) ECs</p>

3

<p>^ on average, is that the order of importance (from left to right)?</p>

4

<p>It depends on the types of programs to which you're applying.</p>

<p>In my field (biomedical sciences) it would be something like
Very important -- Research experience, recommendations
Important -- GPA, GRE scores, statement of purpose
Not important -- Extracurricular activities, anything else that doesn't relate to science</p>

<p>If you have the stuff to get to the interview stage, the your ability to talk about your research intelligently becomes very important.</p>

<p>But it's kind of nonsensical to talk about "graduate admissions" as a whole, since individual programs generally do their own admissions, and the process varies quite a bit between disciplines and even between programs in a single discipline.</p>

5

<p>well, what about more liberal-artsy programs?</p>

<p>Or, what about if you want to do both? Are you accepted to a program or a school?? Are prospective majors binding?</p>

6

<p>Extracurriculars aren't all that important. When you apply to grad school, it's time to specialize. Stuff outside of your chosen area of focus are of little importance.</p>

7

<p>You're accepted to a program. Generally you wouldn't apply to graduate school unless you had a pretty strong idea of what you wanted to study.</p>

8

<p>from a fine arts and architecture perspective...</p>

<p>Very Important: Portfolio, personal statement
Important: Recommendations, relevant work experience
Considered: GPA, relevant extracurriculars
Not so important, sometimes not even required: GRE scores</p>

9

<p>what about computer engineering and computer science?</p>

10

<p>Very important -- Research experience, recommendations, statement of purpose
Important -- GPA, GRE scores</p>

<p>Something like that</p>

11

<p>From a clinical psych perspective:</p>

<p>Very Important: Research experience, Faculty Match, Statement of Purpose
Important: GRE scores, GPA, recommendations
Not mandatory but major boost: Publications, professional presentations
Not considered: ECs</p>

12

<p>
[quote]
Not mandatory but major boost: Publications, professional presentations

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I would say that, as long as everything else on your application is half-decent, publication in a major journal or presentation in a major conference all but guarantees your admission.</p>

13

<p>rold50,</p>

<p>Are you referring to CE and CS?</p>

14

<p>RHSstudent:</p>

<p>yes</p>

15

<p>sakky- unfortunately, clinical psych is so competitive that having publications is not an automatic push. at most schools, you have over 300 people fighting for 5 spots, and out of those 300 people, i'd say 100 are supremely qualified. its really a crapshoot.</p>

16

<p>I never said it was an automatic push, I am saying that if there is anything one thing that will seriously improve your chances, it is going to be that.</p>

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<p>Does it matter what specific classes to take(such as the level) and the number of classes you have taken prior to graduation? I mean, if one person slides by with 3.7 with a easier schedule over somebody 3.5 with tougher schedule, who would win?</p>

18

<p>
[quote]
I mean, if one person slides by with 3.7 with a easier schedule over somebody 3.5 with tougher schedule, who would win?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>the person who has done a better job at demonstrating his/her potential for doing graduate-level research</p>

19

<p>Remember, the committees can't always tell which schedule is easier. Just because you, and even everyone in your undergrad department, know that certain classes are cakewalks, doesn't mean that adcoms will know that. "ARCH 320: Light, Color and the Character of Material" could be an advanced course on materials and methods hilighting the affects of different materials on quality of light and heat gain for all they know, instead of the fluffy class in watercolor painting that it is.</p>