<p>I know that this is an undergrad focused forum, but I was hoping that people would still know what grad schools REALLY care about. Is it just GPA and test scores? Or do they care about extracirriculars, like music, too? I am primarily interested in engineering and sciencey grad schools, not medicine, law, or business. Thanks!</p>
<p>If you're interested in science and engineering grad school, they're going to care like this --</p>
<p>Very important:
Research experience
Professor recommendations
Statement of purpose
Strength of undergraduate program/preparation</p>
<p>Somewhat important (ie won't get you in but can keep you out):
GPA
GRE scores</p>
<p>...and that's pretty much that. Some people will tell you not to write about extracurriculars on a graduate school application -- grad schools aren't as concerned with you as a person as they are with you as a researcher.</p>
<p>Mollie B, how much does the reputation of the undergraduate school help? Does it help to have pretty much every professor graduate from top 5 physics schools, or is this really not that important?</p>
<p>My father teaches grad students and helps with PhD admissions. He says the five things that matter most are:</p>
<ol>
<li>Research you've done (published work is a big plus)</li>
<li>Academic recommendations</li>
<li>Statement of purpose</li>
<li>GPA+what courses you took</li>
<li>GRE score</li>
</ol>
<p>Where you went to college does matter, but they don't look at it as obsessively as CC people. Basically, once you're above a certain level, that won't hold you back. If you're not above that level, those other five things can make up for it. I've never heard him mention extracurriculars as being important.</p>
<ol>
<li>Research experience, especially publications if you have them</li>
<li>Letters of recommendation from well-known professors</li>
<li>Major GPA, overall GPA, and strength of coursework</li>
<li>Other (statement of purpose, quality of undergrad institution, GRE scores)</li>
</ol>
<p>Extracurricular activities are not considered at all.</p>
<p>Research is definately no. 1. </p>
<p>Undergrad institution is very important for the top schools. If you come from a very respected school, you get more slide in your grades. If you came from a school a level down, you must be the top. Those from the top school are better prepared for how tough grad school can be. I know at Berkeley, we had several students from MIT, Stanford, UofM, UIUC, Purdue, etc...and they were much more prepared than other students there. </p>
<p>it's a good idea to send your application to specific profs, and your professors probably know ones at the school in question and can give you direction. </p>
<p>GRE and statement of purpose definately important.</p>
<p>I'm doubting this, but does having a four year named fellowship with a reputable school really help much for the sciences? Mine is the Cornell Tradition Fellowship (150 kids a year), which has to do with jobs/internships in my field. Just wondering.</p>
<p>i would like to know</p>
<p>I am a Cornell Presidential Research Scholar, apart of the Cornell Tradition Fellowship.</p>