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WHAT is grad school & WHAT to expect

Graduate school in Biology or Fisheries Science is very different from undergraduate education or professional graduate training programs (for example, Medical School, Law School, etc.). In graduate school, most training and learning is done outside of a formal classroom setting. Graduate programs require that you take a small number of classes to build foundational knowledge, but most of your learning will occur as you conduct your own research projects in the laboratory or field. For that reason, your peers, lab mates, and graduate adviser will be your greatest resources. Furthermore, you should expect to spend a lot of time learning independently. To prepare for this (potentially stressful) transition to graduate education, we recommend that you become involved in research as an undergraduate. This will allow you to explore different research topics and identify areas of interest, get some insights into graduate student life, and identify mentorship styles that are compatible with your learning style.

WHY go to graduate school?

There are a number of reasons to go to graduate school – this section is still under construction so check back for more information.

UW Graduate School “Learn More to Earn More”

WHEN to start thinking about applying, preparing to apply and actually applying

• General Timeline – if applying to graduate school immediately after completing an undergraduate program
  NOTE: Given timeline is for graduate programs in the United States; timelines may differ for graduate programs in other countries
  • Freshman to Junior year: become involved in research
  • Junior year:  start looking at schools that interest you; attend graduate school info events
  • Summer/early autumn after junior year:  sign-up and take the GRE; prepare fellowship applications (Note: the GRE is no longer required for all graduate schools, so check with the schools you are interested in)
  • Beginning of autumn senior year:  ask faculty to write letters of recommendation; prepare resume; fill out graduate school application forms; write statement of purpose
  • End of autumn quarter senior year:  request transcripts to be sent to schools; submit fellowship applications
  • December to early January:  application deadlines (will vary by school)
  • February/March: visit schools
  • April 15th or later:  deadline for acceptance of offers with financial assistance typically due* (deadlines may vary);
    *NOTE: Schools that belong to the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) are not allowed to obligate offerees to respond before 4/15, per the CGS resolution (includes list of participating institutions)
• Graduate School – Immediately or Wait a Few Years?
  • Benefits of waiting to start graduate school
    • Gives you time to determine exactly what you’d like to study
    • Provides experience by working as a technician or in other positions

WHERE to apply

• • General factors to consider
    • Institutions/programs that are doing research in your interest area
    • Potential advisors that you could work with
      It is extremely important to choose a compatible and supportive graduate school advisor. When you are considering different advisors, it can be helpful to ask yourself the following questions:
      • Do the advisor’s research interests closely match your own?
      • Does the advisor have funding for you?
      • What is the advisor’s mentorship style? (e.g. hands-on? hands-off? Do they meet weekly with their graduate students? What is their communication style? What are their expectations for graduate students? Are current graduate students in their lab satisfied with their learning and working environment?)
      • Read about mentorship on ScienceMag
      • As you consider applying, it’s recommended to reach out to potential faculty advisers to inquire about openings in their lab and ask questions. This will both give you information and put yourself on the faculty’s radar.
    • Size and reputation of the institution and the department
    • Location and facilities
    • Consider doing graduate studies abroad – there are several excellent fisheries/marine bio programs in countries around the world
  • Talk to your network – graduate students, faculty, staff
    • They may have good insights on what research is being done, who is doing it, who might be looking for new students, the reputation of the program and the people, etc.
  • Third party resources:
    • Peterson’s
    • Graduate Schools
    • U.S. News & World Report

HOW to apply, HOW much does it cost, HOW to find and adviser/funding, HOW to decide

• Applying – every institution has their own forms, timelines, procedures, requirements, etc. but standard materials include:
  • Online application form(s)
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  • Transcripts
  • Two (or more) letters of recommendation
    • Tips on Getting Great Letters of Recommendation, by Dr. Chelsea Wood, UW SAFS
  • Additional materials for international students (scores for TOEFL, TSE, etc.)
  • Some schools/faculty advisers require the GRE
  • Read the ScienceMag article for a very helpful explanation of the materials included in a typical Graduate School Application.
• Review application materials and deadlines very carefully as you prepare to apply (see general timeline in “When” above)
• Cost – In general, graduate students in the biological or fishery sciences do NOT pay for their graduate education. Instead, graduate students are employed as Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants through their graduate programs, so they receive a modest salary and their tuition is fully covered. Additionally, there are scholarships and fellowships that are available to graduate students. The cost of graduate school will vary by institution but generally includes tuition and fees; note that many institutions may have different tuition/fee costs for in-state students versus out-of-state students.
• Finding an Adviser and Funding – many research programs will have funding available for graduate students; some may not admit students without identifying a source of funding, whether it be from the program or from an external funding source.
  • Typical funding for a graduate student may come from several sources:
    • Research Assistantship
    • Teaching Assistantship
    • Departmental Fellowship
    • External Fellowship (e.g. NSF)
    • Some combination of these and/or other sources
  • Funding and benefits may include:
    • Cost of tuition
    • Monthly stipend
    • Health insurance
    • Example: SAFS Graduate Funding Policy
  • Funding is often tied to specific labs and faculty members – it is highly recommended to reach out to potential faculty advisers to inquire about openings in their lab and ask questions. This will both give you information and put yourself on the faculty’s radar. Here’s some basic example language on how to make an inquiry:
    • In-person
      • Introduce yourself – “Hello, I am [NAME]. I’m interested in going to graduate school.”
      • Explicitly reference their work – “I [heard you speak; read your webpage; took your class], and am really interested in the work you’re doing on [TOPIC].”
      • State your interest – “I am interested in learning more about [TOPIC]. I would love to meet with you to discuss possible research opportunities.”
    • Via email
      • Use a formal greeting – “Hello Dr. [NAME]” or “Dear Prof. [NAME]”
      • Brief paragraph summarizing why you are emailing – e.g., “I [heard you speak; read your webpage; took your class], and am really interested in the work you’re doing on [TOPIC]. I am interested in gradaute school and in learning more about [TOPIC]. I would love to meet with you to discuss possible research opportunities.”
      • Formal closing – “I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, [NAME]”
    • After making the inquiry, it’s usually good form to wait 2–3 weeks before following up with a brief email.
  • To learn more about how funding is secured by graduate students in the sciences, read this helpful article.
  • See SAFS Graduate Program Funding page for resources on searching for funding
• Deciding
  • Ask lots of questions of the faculty, academic adviser, and graduate students in the programs you’re considering – find out about the department culture, what are the faculty adviser’s expectations and how do they interact/communicate with their graduate students and lab staff, what support systems are in place for graduate students (i.e. academic advising, health/wellness resources, etc.).
  • Make time to chat specifically with graduate students who are advised by your potential graduate mentor(s), as they can provide you with first-hand knowledge about their supervisor’s lab culture, advising style, and level of research support.
  • You will spend thousands of hours working on your Master’s thesis or PhD dissertation, so be sure to ask yourself: will I be happy doing this research for the next 2-6 years? Will I be happy working with this advisor and lab group for the next 2-6 years?
  • Consider the location of the institutions you’re considering – the local community; the cultural and social environment of the department, and the cost of living relative to graduate student stipends. All of these factors will influence your quality of life in graduate school. You’ll be living in the area for 3-6 years, so keep that in mind when you’re deciding
  • Weigh the funding offers – are they competitive? Do they provide you the funding and benefits that you need? Is the source/duration of the funding offer transparent and confirmed?
  • It can be really hard to make a decision on what graduate school to attend! For a very honest and humorous perspective on this decision-making process, check out this article.