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GPA:
Undergraduates entering UCSC in fall 2001 and thereafter have a UCSC cumulative grade-point average calculated from UCSC courses, courses taken through the Education Abroad Program, and courses taken at another UC campus as part of the Intercampus Visitor Program. A grade-point average is determined by dividing the number of grade points earned by the number of units attemped for a letter grade. If you repeat a course in which you have received a D or F, only the last grade recorded shall be computed in your GPA for the first 15 credits of repeated work. For alumni with
narrative evaluations, some schools may attempt to transcribe
narrative evaluations
into a GPA. Be sure to ask the schools to which you are
applying how they evaluate narrative evaluations. GRE: The Graduate Record Exam is required by most universities in the United States. It is used not only for purposes of admissions, but is sometimes also used (in conjunction with other criteria) to award fellowships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships. The general exam tests you in seven 30-minute sections covering: VERBAL (analogies, antonyms, sentence completion, reading comprehension), and QUANTITATIVE (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis, quantitative comparision, problem solving) and ANALYTICAL (analytical reasoning and logical reasoning). This portion of the application process
tends to be the most stressful component. The GRE is
a timed exam and issues around test anxiety arise. The
best advice we can offer is to begin studying and preparing
for this test as early as
possible. You can either prepare on your own, with a group,
or by enrolling in a test
preparation course. The main
goal is to allow yourself the time to feel comfortable
and confident with how the exam works. Keep
in mind that every department weighs the exam differently. Typically you will need between 2 to 3 recommenders. Depending upon the requirements of your program, they may come from faculty, internship supervisors, employers or others who can confidently discuss your potential for graduate-level work. This requires you to have developed a strong relationship with individuals who can comment on your academic and professional aspirations and capabilities. The UCSC Career Center offers the Graduate Letter Service as a way of maintaining, duplicating, and submitting letters of recommendation to admissions offices. *Don't forget to checkout our tips for requesting letters of recommendation.
Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement: The statement of purpose (sometimes referred to as the "essay" or "statement of professional goals") is your opportunity to state who you are, where you are coming from, and where you are going professionally. The statement is typically 2-3 pages (typed, double spaced) and should be an essay of the highest quality. Visit UC Berkeley's Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP) website for tips and suggested outlines to develop your statement of purpose.
The place to discuss your experience is in the statement of purpose. You might include internships, independent study research experiences, applicable employment, laboratory assignments, etc. It is important to remember that all your experiences, both academic and professional, are very important to helping you find a program that fits your needs. If you have already graduated, it is important to include your undergraduate & post-baccalaureate experience in order to demonstrate your committment to your field of interest. A powerful articulation of your professional skills will indicate to graduate programs your growth beyond your undergraduate career.
Additional Graduate & Professional School information can be found at the UCSC Career Center.
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