What do I need to apply graduate shool?

slinetz

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Apr 2, 2000
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Do I still need to take GRE and request an old copy of my transcript from the undergraduate school i went to? Or could I just ask my boss to write a letter of recommendation and submit my resume? If for example, to apply Standford's Computer science graduate school program... your input will be very appreciated.. Thanks..
 

cronos

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Nov 7, 2001
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every single graduate program (even in the same university) will have different requirements, but most likely you will have to take a GRE test and provide a copy of your undergraduate transcript for a CS program. work experience will usually mean nothing in a computer science program. it is, however, is required in most if not all MBA program.

check the particular website of the program you're applying for. they have all of the information you need.
 

cronos

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Nov 7, 2001
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forgot to add:

when i applied for graduate school (civil engineering program) they asked for a GRE, transcript, and a couple of letter of recommendations.
 

Dissipate

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Jan 17, 2004
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Originally posted by: slinetz
Or could I just ask my boss to write a letter of recommendation and submit my resume?

I doubt your boss or your work experience is going to help you get into grad school. I could be wrong though. Best thing to do would be to get letters of rec. from your professors.

 

Reel

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Jul 14, 2001
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You will need to take the GRE and maybe the GRE computer science subject test. You will need more than just one letter of recommendation. You will need a personal statement. If you visit the schools' website that you intend on applying to, they have their requirements listed. They generally are similar.
 

Whisper

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Feb 25, 2000
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If you've been out of college for a few years, and you feel that your employer could write you a good letter of recommendation, then definitely get one from him. Graduate school admissions committees understand that you might not've kept in touch with very many professors since your graduation, and they also realize the benefit of real-world experience, no matter which program it is that you're interested in.

As others have said, you'll most likely need a GRE, possibly a subject GRE, two or three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from all previous undergraduate institutions. Programs vary on whether they want you to send the transcripts, or want to receive them directly from the college's administration. Be sure to check the requirements and such for each program to which you're applying.
 

Mo0o

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Jul 31, 2001
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talk to the dean of admissions at stanford and get the lowdown
 

Reel

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Originally posted by: Mo0o
talk to the dean of admissions at stanford and get the lowdown
Departments handle the admissions process for graduate school typically. Any time the admissions department had been involved for me, they just collected the money and forms and passed them along.
 

vegetation

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Feb 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: Dissipate
Originally posted by: slinetz
Or could I just ask my boss to write a letter of recommendation and submit my resume?

I doubt your boss or your work experience is going to help you get into grad school. I could be wrong though. Best thing to do would be to get letters of rec. from your professors.

Correct. A non-professional school (i.e. anything other than Medical, law, business) will not give a cat's a** about a letter of rec from your employer, unless you were employed in some very highly scientific/research/teaching area, such as research lab/instructor at a university. Getting a letter of rec from your old professors is best, but that's assuming you actually had some research experience under your prof's guidance. A letter of rec stating how you got an A in a regular class will be treated as toilet paper. Of course, the big potential problem is if you never had research experience as an undergrad, then you're in a bad position.
 

Whisper

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Feb 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: vegetation
Originally posted by: Dissipate
Originally posted by: slinetz
Or could I just ask my boss to write a letter of recommendation and submit my resume?

I doubt your boss or your work experience is going to help you get into grad school. I could be wrong though. Best thing to do would be to get letters of rec. from your professors.

Correct. A non-professional school (i.e. anything other than Medical, law, business) will not give a cat's a** about a letter of rec from your employer, unless you were employed in some very highly scientific/research/teaching area, such as research lab/instructor at a university. Getting a letter of rec from your old professors is best, but that's assuming you actually had some research experience under your prof's guidance. A letter of rec stating how you got an A in a regular class will be treated as toilet paper. Of course, the big potential problem is if you never had research experience as an undergrad, then you're in a bad position.

I don't know if I can agree with this statement. I'm in a psych ph.d program at the moment, and can guarantee you that real-world experience is always valued. For something like computer science, I would imagine they'd give it even more credence...especially since I'm not sure what type of research opportunities most colleges would even offer for that particular major.

Most programs would rather have a letter from an employer who knows you and your performance well as opposed to a professor that had you in three classes five years ago. Research experience is good, but graduate programs always value "non-traditional" students who, after working for x number of years, have the drive and determination to then take the risk of returning to school.

Again using my program as an example, at 25 years old, I was one of the youngest of the incoming clinical psychology students here. Most of the others had a master's degree and/or experience in various professional positions.

However, I would agree that the graduate school might not be as interested in the letter of rec if your current job is not at all related to what you hope to study. They'll still give the letter some credence if the employer has known you for years, but it won't be as relevant to your application.