MiNDS -- Neuroscience Grad Application Newsletter #3

MiNDS Grad Application Newsletter

Issue: 3

Jan 2010

In This Issue

Is Your MiNDS Application Complete?

Its crunch time

Reference letters.

Quick Links

MiNDS Website

Grad Program
MiNDS Faculty

MiNDS Application

Is your MiNDS application complete?

You can check it by logging in the the Grad Studies website.

Have you finished the on-line steps for the MiNDS application? Have you finished the Grad Studies part of the application?

Why not finish them now!

MiNDS Application.
Grad Studies Application.

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GRADsKool

Read previous newsletters

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Greetings!

This is the third edition of our newsletter for applicants to tne MiNDS program. Be sure to visit our blog for more information about applying to graduate school.

Also, if there is a topic that you would like us to cover just leave a comment on the blog or drop us an email with the subject "topic for the newsletter".

MiNDS Application Questions

It is crunch time for applications

This time of year is crunch time for getting in your applications to graduate school. And for us to begin the process of reviewing applications and selecting students for the MiNDS program. Many of you ask about that process and how long it takes. So let me explain.

During the first week of February we begin to process the applications that have been received. All of the applications that meet the minimum grade average go through an evaluation of the selection criteria:

academic success,

research experience,

statement of research interests,

and letters of recommendation.

The applications are then made available for review by all of the MiNDS supervisors. At this stage supervisors will look through the applications for students that are appropriate for their labs. Many supervisors will contact students. But students can and should also contact potential supervisors to let them know that you are interested and have applied.

Those initial steps take at least 2 weeks and will continue until all of the slots for Sept 2010 are filled.

After the initial processing and evaluation some students will be invited to participate in a telephone interview. Interviews usually begin in March and continue until all of the slots are filled.

The first acceptances usually go out in early March and then continue until all of the slots are filled. Each year that has meant that some students are accepted early while others are not accepted until the summer.

If you need help with your application or have questions about the program please contact us.

Applying to Grad School

Reference letters

Asking for a reference letter can be a stressful process. This is because you know how important letters of recommendation are for gaining admission to a grad program.

So how should you go about getting letters of recommendation?

Let's start by talking about what a letter of recommendation contains. There are typically 2 parts: a rating section and a written letter.

Read the rest of the article on our blog: GradsKool.wordpress.com

MiNDS is here to help you chose the right connections for your graduate studies.

You have received this email because you completed or started the application process for the MiNDS program.

Thank you for your interest in the MiNDS Graduate program at McMaster University.

During the application season we will be sending out regular emails with information about applications to the MiNDS program, things to think about with your grad apps, and grad school life. We hope that you find this information helpful.

Sincerely,

Kathy Murphy PhD
Professor and Director, MiNDS Program McMaster University