Graduate Study with Me in Wildlife and
I thoroughly enjoy learning about natural systems and their use and conservation by humans--the mosaic of desert, grasslands, and montane 'sky islands' of the southwestern United States is a wonderful place in which to do so. Since moving to the U of A in Fall 2000, I have been working to establish a research program that focuses heavily on the mammals of the forested montane islands (AKA 'sky islands') and surrounding sea of desert and grasslands. I welcome graduate students with a similar enthusiasm for science and a real passion for the conservation, behavioral, and population ecology of wildlife (for more on my interests you can visit my homepage). The program here has a wealth of expertise in applied and basic science with a particular strength in the resources of the desert southwest, sky islands, and borderlands. Because the graduate school experience is where you will develop your professional reputation, selection of the right environment for you is critical, and a real passion for your model system and questions of interest are what help you succeed. You should contact me about a year before you are interested in starting graduate school to enable initial review of your qualifications and to discuss project options. This page contains a number of links that may be helpful in your quest to find the appropriate match of a graduate school program that may include the University of Arizona. Click on the area of interest to you:
*--A quick overview of my lab group Koprowski
Research Group Overview
*--Potential Projects--possible opportunities available
in my research group
*--Information on the UA and studies
in Wildlife Conservation and Management
*--My Lab Group
The Cast of Characters--Links to web pages of
my graduate students
Journal Club--This week's readings
*--Graduate Assistantships
*--The GRE
*--Fellowships available for Graduate Study
*--Funding for Research Projects
*--Where do I get external information on Graduate
Programs at the University of Arizona?
*--Helpful hints on graduate school admissions and
life as a graduate student--
*--FAQ's about Graduate School?
*--A suggested timetable for the Application process
*--Hints for increasing your competitiveness
One of my favorites from PhD Comics...
Project 1: Impact of introduced Abert's squirrels on endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels: an experimental examination using removals (PhD student). This project would involve intensive field work in the Pinaleno Mountains of southeastern Arizona to examine the potential impact of introduced Abert's squirrels, a large bodied tree squirrel, on the smaller bodied endangered endemic Mt. Graham red squirrels. We will use removal experiments to determine changes in space and habitat use, nest site selection, and diet.
Project 2: Reintroduction of black-tailed prairie dogs: effects of an ecosystem engineer on desert grassland communities. Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) have been called ecosystem engineers and keystone species by many biologists. The species was extirpated from Arizona in the early 1900's. Recent concern about the species throughout its range has led to the reintroduction of the species. This project will examine the growth of BTPD populations and their impacts on plant and animal communities.
Project 3: Status and ecology of Arizona gray squirrels in the face of fire, insect infestation, and an invasive species (MS student). Arizona gray squirrels appear to be very good indicators of forest health as are many tree squirrels. Some reports suggest that this large-bodied tree squirrel that is nearly endemic to Arizona are in decline in many portions of their range within the sky islands. This project will assess their status relative to major drivers of forest health and determine the relative role of introduced Abert's squirrels.
Project 4: Status and ecology of marginal populations of thirteen-lined ground squirrels in Arizona (MS student) Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are a common prairie species found thorughout the plains and midwest. They reach their western range terminus in east-central Arizona where they are believed to be in decline; however, the current status of the disjunct populations is poorly known. This project will included extensive surveys of potential habitat for this small squirrel and mark-recapture work to determine demography.
Project 5: Are roads barriers to juvenile dispersal in endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels? (MS and PhD student) This project would involve intensive field work in the Pinaleno Mountains of southeastern Arizona to assess patterns of natal dispersal in juvenile squirrels and assess the influence of roads on dispersal behavior in endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels. Radiotelemetric monitoring will be used to assess juvenile dispersal and propensity to cross roads. Patterns of gene flow and demographic linkages between different portions of the mountain range may also be studied. In addition, radiotelemetric monitoring and remote cameras will be used to assess road crossing and habitat characteristics that facilitate successful crossing will be examined using GIS and field collected data.
Project 6: Road-crossing and response of mountain lions and bobcats to urbanization...Coming Soon
Information
on the graduate school experience at the University of Arizona
College of Agriculture
School of Natural Resources
Wildlife
and Fisheries Resources
The U of A Graduate School
Koprowski Research Group
Overview
John L. Koprowski's web page and the Mt. Graham red squirrel research page (find publications and meet the staff)
My current and recent graduate students are more likely to give you the
straight scoop on me...here are links to their webpages or email
Seafha Blount (MS)
Response of endangered Mt. Graham red squirrels to fire
Nichole Cudworth (MS)
Ecology of the sky island endemic Arizona Gray Squirrel
Sandy Doumas (MS)
Response of Mexican Fox Squirrels to fire
Nate
Gwinn (MS)
Response of introduced Abert's squirrels to fire
Rosa Jessen (MS)
Tree squirrels as indicators of rainforest quality
Tim Jessen (MS)
Efficacy of hair tubes for population monitoring of tree squirrels
Karen Munroe (PhD)
Social and Mating Systems of Round-tailed Ground Squirrels
Rebecca Minor (MS)
Cone removal by introduced Abert's squirrels
Geoff Palmer (MS)
Impacts of introduced Mexican Red-bellied Squirrels in Biscayne National
Park
Nicolas Ramos (PhD)
Ecology and conservation of endemic Mearns's Squirrels in Baja California
Recent Alums of my lab:
Debbie
Buecher (MS) Microchiropteran bat community
ecology at seasonal water sources
('07, Ecological Consultant, self employed)
Carol Coates (MS)
Habitat characteristics in occupied & unoccupied BT prairie dog sites
('05, mother)
Andrew Edelman (MS)
Ecology of Introduced Abert's Squirrels in the Pinaleno Mtns ('04; PhD
@ U New Mexico)
Kate Leonard (MS)
Response of Mt. Graham red squirrels to thinning from below ('06 field
biologist, Florida)
Bret
Pasch (MS)
Influence of fire on the ecology of Mexican Fox Squirrels ('04...PhD @
U Florida)
Margaret
Rheude (MS) Conservation genetics and the impacts
of urbanization on mesocarnivores ('08, field biologist APHIS)
David Wood (MS)
Spatially explicit models for the endangered Mt. Graham Red Squirrels ('07,
Presidential Fellow BLM)
Meghan
Yurenka (MS) Microclimates of occupied &
unoccupied Mt. Graham Red Squirrel middens (Vet School @ Sep 04)
Claire
Zugmeyer (MS) Ecology of Mt. Graham red squirrels
in spruce-fir forests
damaged by insects (Research Scientist, Sonoran Institute)
This
Week's Readings:
Spring Semester: Mismeasure of Man by S.J. Gould
______________________________________________________
Where to now?
*--Back to Top
*--Potential Projects--possible opportunities available
in my research group
*--Information on the UA and studies
in Wildlife Conservation and Management
*--My Lab Group
The Cast of Characters--Links to web pages of
my graduate students
Journal Club--This week's readings*--Graduate
Assistantships
*--The GRE
*--Fellowships available for Graduate Study
*--Funding for Research Projects
*--Where do I get external information on Graduate
Programs at the University of Arizona?
*--Helpful hints on graduate school admissions and
life as a graduate student--
*--FAQ's about Graduate School?
*--A suggested timetable for the Application process
*--Hints for increasing your competitiveness
______________________________________________________
Graduate
Teaching and Research Assistant Tuition and Fees:
Graduate
teaching and research assistants receive a stipend (around $14,400
for masters and
$17,000 for Ph.D. students presently), non-resident tuition waiver (you
will pay in-state
fees),
health
insurance (scroll down on this site), and a 10% bookstore discount.
Helpful Links on the required test for Graduate School programs:
Graduate
Record Exam (GRE) --the standardized test required for most graduate
school
programs. Two exams are available: General and Subject. The
General test is
the most often required test, is available on line, and provides subscores
for skills
in 3 major areas (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical). The Subject
or
Advanced test is also required or recommended by many but not all graduate
programs. Subject exams are given in a number of specialized fields
including
Biology and test specific disciplinary knowledge. Both exams are
extraordinarily
rigorous and require significant preparation. Do not use the first
attempt at the
exam as 'practice'--a number of good practice materials can be found in
your
college bookstore and are available through the testing agency itself.
Because
of the delay in scoring the exam, you should plan to take this exam by
mid-fall
in the year before you hope to be attending graduate school. Most
schools
require these scores to make decisions on admission and financial aid
packages such as teaching/research assistantships and fellowships.
Princeton
Review --see the graduate school page for strategies and a free
practice
GRE exam
Kaplan's Online
--various test taking information
TOEFL - language test for international students
Helpful Links for Fellowships:
University
of Arizona-CONACyT Fellowships for students from Mexico
University
of Arizona Fellowships and External Sources
Canon
National Parks Science Scholars Program --fellowships for Ph.D. work
in the NP's
Gloria
Barron Wilderness Society Fellowship --fellowship for wilderness study
Loreal
American Women in Science Graduate Fellowships--fellowship for US and
international students
Budweiser
Conservation Scholarship
National
Science Foundation Student Research Opportunities
Wildlife
Conservation Society Research Fellowship
Funding
for Specific Student Research Projects
American
Museum of Natural History--Teddy Roosevelt and Frank Chapman Memorial Funds
American
Society of Mammalogists Grants-in-Aid of Research --another source
of potential research funds for students
American
Society of Mammalogists List of Grant Sources
Animal
Behavior Society Student Member Research Awards--a number of research
programs
Animal
Behavior Society Grants Board
Animal
Behavior Society List of Conservation Oriented Grants
Cleveland
Zoological Society--a number of funding opportunities...for research
in Latin and NAmerica, Africa, and Asia
Conservation
Endowment Fund
Council
on Undergraduate Research Research Grants --a potential source of funds
for summer research experiences
Explorers
Club Grants --provide grants for conducting field research
National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation Various and Sundry Grant Opportunities
National
Geographic Society Young Explorer's Award
Oregon
Zoo Future for Wildlife Conservation Grant --a variety of studies are
funded
Pittsburgh
Zoo Conservation Fund --a couple of grant opportunities available...links
to contact the director here
Sigma
Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research --provides grants for conducting scientific
research
Society
for Integrative and Comparative Biology Student Grants-in-Aid
Southwestern
Association of Naturalists--Howard McCarley Student Research Award
T
& E, Inc.
University
of Arizona Internal Funding
Western
National Parks Association
Wildlife
Conservation Society Research Fellowship
Helpful Links on Graduate School Programs:
NAGPS
Survey of Graduate Students concerning Graduate Programs
Peterson's
Guide to Colleges
Kaplan's
gradschools.com
--information on nearly 50,000 graduate programs
U.S.
News and World Report --various rankings and information
College
Net --general information and search capabilities for graduate schools
Careers
in Science and Engineering: A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and
Beyond --a very helpful guide
available free on-line
Links
to Graduate School Programs in Ecology and Zoology
Helpful
Sources of Information about Graduate School Life and
Admissions:
Careers
and Graduate Study --another very helpful guide to deciding about graduate
school
What
every new graduate student should know... --suggestions from Indiana
University
How
to be a good graduate student --a paper with helpful suggestions
Princeton
Review --a nice site for tips and general information
______________________________________________________
Where to now?
*--Back to Top
*--Potential Projects--possible opportunities available
in my research group
*--Information on the UA and studies
in Wildlife Conservation and Management
*--My Lab Group
The Cast of Characters--Links to web pages
of my graduate students
Journal Club--This week's readings*--Graduate
Assistantships
*--Graduate Assistantships
*--The GRE
*--Fellowships available for Graduate Study
*--Funding for Research Projects
*--Where do I get external information on Graduate
Programs at the University of Arizona?
*--Helpful hints on graduate school admissions and
life as a graduate student--
*--A suggested timetable for the Application process
*--Hints for increasing your competitiveness
______________________________________________________
Additional
Sources of Answers to FAQ's:
Careers
and Graduate Study from Richmond
What does Graduate School in general entail?
The short
answer is a ton of work-- often with only yourself as a motivator.
If you thoroughly enjoy the field of biology and working a problem through
to an answer, then graduate school is a rewarding option. Don't continue
on just because someone else thinks you should or because you don't have
any other options for employment. Because self-motivation and a real
enthusiasm for a topic are what will drive you to the successful completion
of a graduate school experience, a half-hearted start is not likely to
lead to success. Although most degree programs require some coursework,
much of your growth as a professional occurs outside the classroom during
your research experiences. Summer breaks in the academic schedule
are typically viewed not as vacation periods but as opportunities for intensive
research.
Typically,
3 types of degrees are possible.
Some schools have two types of Masters degrees: a thesis and a non-thesis
option; Masters degrees usually require 2-3 years for completion.
The non-thesis Masters (can be the
M.A. or M.S. degree depending on the school) option typically requires
only coursework and library research and is meant as a terminal degree
for those not interested in continuing with biological research; a final
written paper is often required. The thesis
Masters(M.S. degree) typically involves coursework as well as
an independent research project that culminates in a substantial written
document, the thesis, that is ready for publication. Often written
or oral exams are required as well. The Doctor
of Philosophy(Ph.D) also entails some coursework and an even
more substantial research project usually over 4 to 6 years culminating
in doctoral dissertation that often contains in several publishable chapters.
An oral and/or written comprehensive exam is typically required as is a
final oral defense of your dissertation research. Postdoctoral
positions are often in academic departments as well and usually are focused
on a continuation of research experiences above and beyond that obtained
in pursuit of the doctorate; typically, although one might get academic
credit for enrollment, postdoctoral positions are not formal degree experiences.
As I mentioned,
the primary emphasis in most graduate school experiences in on research.
However, coursework often is taken on the advice of an advisory committee
of faculty that you have assembled to mesh with your interests. Some
US schools and many foreign universities have no formal coursework requirements.
Courses taken usually focus on those necessary to round out the background,
required to increase technical proficiency, or to make up for deficiencies
in the undergraduate academic record.
What are my career options with an advanced degree?
Advanced degrees can be used in a number of ways but typically open the door for more research-intensive positions as well as those with teaching components. The new skills and independence that are developed in graduate school will help in many avenues of life. The job market is very tough, especially for academic positions. Master's degrees typically keep open the option of a Ph.D. at some point and prepare you for work in the Biotech industry, administrative and management positions in State and Federal governments (research labs, environmental impact, forestry, wildlife and fisheries, parks), NGO's, lobbyists positions, and community college/lab instructor teaching positions. The added research experience typically means that you might move into something other than an entry level position. Although there are some research positions available with State and Federal agencies for individuals with a Master's degree, the opportunities for advancement maybe limited without a Ph.D. If teaching at the postsecondary level is a goal, then you should seek as many teaching opportunities as possible while in graduate school. A Ph.D. increases your competitiveness in the academic world but the market is still quite difficult--a postdoctoral research/teaching experience is often necessary. Positions in biotech, federal/state agencies, NGO's, etc. are possibilities as well. The Ph.D. will increase your competitiveness for research oriented positions where some sort of leadership role is expected; however, doctoral recipients may be less competitive or viewed as 'overqualified' for some positions due to the experience in independent research.
How do I narrow my interests to select an appropriate program?
Perhaps the most common question asked by students considering graduate school. You probably know more than you think. Start with determining what you are not jazzed about studying in graduate school.
1. Do you prefer a certain level of organization (cell/molecular vs. community/ecosystem)?
2. Do you prefer a certain taxonomic group? (fungi vs. animals, flowering
plants vs.
gymnosperms, fish vs. birds)?
3. Do you prefer a certain research setting (laboratory vs. field, aquatic
vs. terrestrial)?
4. Do you prefer a certain level of analysis?:
a) questions of mechanisms
b) questions of physiological processes
c) questions of developmental processes
d) questions of survival value of a trait
e) questions of evolutionary significance/phyogenetic affinity
5. Do you prefer research on basic science or with an applied bent?
Skim the table of contents of scientific journals to see what kinds of projects get you the most excited. Visit websites of various schools to see what programs and courses are offered. Talk to professors in the courses that you enjoyed the most. Having very broad general interests in biology is a good thing and can be helpful in selecting an appropriate program.
How do I select an appropriate program?
Now is the
time to do your homework. Use the questions and sources noted above
and examine programs in detail. Are the courses of interest?
The course listing can often give you a feel for the focus of a program--lots
of interesting courses mean that faculty have similar interests.
If you have somewhat broad interests, then use that to find a program that
will enable you to be surrounded with faculty and students with a breadth
of interests. If you are more focused, then use that level of focus
to ascertain the programs that are the strongest for you. Try to
find programs that have a number of people who are publishing in scientific
journals and have active research groups in the area(s) that most interest
you. For instance, if you have strong interests in molecular
biology and animal ecology, a program that has good molecular labs to hone
your techniques in combination with a diverse ecology program in which
you will be able to apply these techniques is what you might look for in
a graduate school. Such 'broad' interests may actually help you narrow
your choices considerably more than if you were only interested in one
of these subdisciplines. The on-line sources listed above, the scientific
journals, and your professors can assist you with finding such programs.
Once you
have identified programs of interest, write to obtain more information
including a list of recent publications of the faculty. This should
help you hone your list even further. From this point, you should
contact individual faculty members preferably by letter. Carefully
craft a letter that states your interests and provides the details of your
preparedness for graduate study, your familiarity with the faculty member
to whom you are writing (read their publications), and expresses your interest
in joining their research group. Inquire if the faculty member anticipates
any openings at the time that you would like to begin graduate studies.
Be certain to spend considerable time composing this letter and have a
large number of people review and comment on your composition. Remember,
first impressions can be last impressions. You are going to be one
of dozens of people (at least) who are writing and you are trying to convince
this person that you are a developing professional who would be a welcome
addition to their research group. The responses from these letters
will narrow the choices considerably.
______________________________________________________
Where to now?
*--Back to Top
*--Potential Projects--possible opportunities available
in my research group
*--Information on the UA and studies
in Wildlife Conservation and Management
*--My Lab Group
The Cast of Characters--Links to web pages of
my graduate students
Journal Club--This week's readings*--Graduate
Assistantships
*--Graduate Assistantships
*--The GRE
*--Fellowships available for Graduate Study
*--Funding for Research Projects
*--Where do I get external information on Graduate
Programs at the University of Arizona?
*--Helpful hints on graduate school admissions and
life as a graduate student--
*--FAQ's about Graduate School?
*--Hints for increasing your competitiveness
______________________________________________________
How do I apply? A Timetable for the Application Process:
You can never start too early is likely the best advice. But here is a suggested timetable for you to follow. I have geared the dates for a student coming directly out of undergraduate study who desires to start the fall semester after a spring semester graduation.
Junior
Year (1.5 years prior to desired start date)--Spring semester
--Get started familiarizing yourself with potential graduate programs
1. Talk with faculty about what programs are appropriate
2. Use the Career Services office, this website, and the internet
to learn about programs.
3. Review articles in journals and note schools/people of interest
--Contact departments/download information on programs from the Web.
--Plan test date and register for the GRE
--Study for the GRE exam over summer
Senior
Year--September and October
--Compose a letter of inquiry and a statement of your career goals
--Request letters of recommendations and ask your writers to review your
letter and statement
--Utilize the Career Services office to review your letter of inquiry and
statement of goals.
The Writing Center can also be very helpful here--the more comments the
better in
helping you to craft the very best letter possible
--Take the GRE or other standardized exams
--Visit your Career Services office to learn more about strategies for
financing your
graduate school experience. The links above for Fellowships should
also be a help.
--Send out letters of inquiry to faculty members with whom you are interested
in working.
Respond to all letters that you receive in response to your inquiry.
Send a follow-up
letter if you do not receive a response from people with whom you are very
interested
in working. Faculty are very busy or may be on sabbatical or out
of the country--don't
necessarily read too much into a slow or no response. Be tactful
in your second contact
November and December
--Request copies of transcripts be mailed
--Submit your applications early to maximize your competitiveness
for financial aid/fellowships/assistantships.
--Send a thank you note to prospective advisors that reaffirms your enthusiasm
to join their
graduate program and alerts them that your application is on the way.
--Discuss potential fellowships that you might apply for with your prospective
graduate advisors
January through March
--Contact potential advisors or programs about visiting and interviewing.
Be sure to meet with other
current graduate students to get their impressions.
--Be certain to send a thank you note to those that helped you on your
interview
--Complete the GAPSAF form available at your university's Career Services
or Financial Aid
office or via the schools to which you are applying.
April and May
--If
you are accepted, rejoice! Discuss options with your undergraduate
advisors/professors to
determine which option is best.
--Once you have made your final selection, inform all of the schools to
which you have applied. For
schools that you have not yet heard from a letter will suffice. A
personal phone call is appropriate
to the individuals with whom you have been accepted to work but opt to
go elsewhere.
--Contact the professor with whom you decide to work and ask what you might
do to prepare for the
fall.
--Prepare a bibliography on topics of interest so that you can hit the
ground running and know the literature
when you arrive in graduate school.
--If you are not accepted, contact the people with whom you have corresponded
and obtain feedback
on your application and assess what you can do to increase your competitiveness
for the next
round of applications. See the next category below for general hints.
______________________________________________________
Where to now?
*--Back to Top
*--Potential Projects--possible opportunities available
in my research group
*--Information on the UA and studies
in Wildlife Conservation and Management
*--My Lab Group
The Cast of Characters--Links to web pages of
my graduate students
Journal Club--This week's readings*--Graduate
Assistantships
*--Graduate Assistantships
*--The GRE
*--Fellowships available for Graduate Study
*--Funding for Research Projects
*--Where do I get external information on Graduate
Programs at the University of Arizona?
*--Helpful hints on graduate school admissions and
life as a graduate student--
*--FAQ's about Graduate School?
*--A suggested timetable for the Application process
______________________________________________________
How do I maximize my competitiveness for admission? A few hints:
1.
Remember to keep your curriculum vitae (resume) active by gaining as much
experience as
possible even with short duration volunteer experiences.
Check with local government
agencies, parks, zoos, museums, universities, clinics, bio-oriented businesses
and
school systems for opportunities to keep active in biology. While
on campus, try to
gain experience working or volunteering on research projects of your professors
even
if this initially means washing dishes. Also, positions associated
with the writing center,
computer center, library, bio/chem lab preparation room, grounds crew,
etc. can
provide good experiences that demonstrate a commitment to a science oriented
career. Consider a position as a paid or unpaid research assistant
to increase your
experience in research. If you have corresponded with a potential
graduate advisor, you
should ask if they have any such positions available this will give them
a chance to get to
know you and also give you valuable experience.
2. Choose
your courses carefully to demonstrate a rigorous undergraduate career--solid
coursework in biology/environmental science is assumed but supporting courses
in chemistry, math, physics, and computer science not only increase your
academic breadth but also demonstrate to your potential advisor that you
have
had a rigorous undergraduate experience. Also, consider taking meaningful
support
courses in speech/media/rhetoric, writing, geographic information systems,
geology/geography, sociology, psychology, anthropology, politics, etc.
These
courses will provide a more well rounded appearance to your academic career
and
help you demonstrate to graduate schools that you are a serious developing
professional.
Be sure to take courses that provide a solid foundation in biology in the
broad sense.
3. Obtain
as much research experience as possible--any
experience that you can be it paid or
volunteer will be helpful. Not only will this experience enable you
to speak with authority
when you discuss your future goals in a letter or interview but it will
also help solidify
your goals and allow you to convey your interests with conviction.
Choose courses that
have a significant research component in them so that you can gain experience
and further
substantiate your interest in conducting biological research. Conduct
a research oriented
senior thesis or independent study project that is focused on your area
of interest. Attempt
to publish your research findings.
4. Join
a professional society/organization--each
subdiscipline of biology has a least one
and often many journals associated with it. Many of these journals
are supported
by a professional society. Members of that society get the journal
and newsletter.
These publications allow you to keep up with changes in the field and also
job openings while demonstrating that you are in fact interested in the
field. Most
societies have a special student rate as well. Ask your professors
which societies
are the most pertinent and 'student/recent graduate friendly'. Attend
society meetings
and participate in student chapter activities etc.
5.
Take the GRE very seriously and study accordingly--while
graduate schools look at the entire application
package, solid GRE scores will open doors that might otherwise be closed
to you. Use
a good introductory biology textbook and study it from cover to cover.
Study guides and
practice tests available for purchase or through the GRE On-line are very
helpful and will
enable you to take the exam and feel comfortable with the style of questions
and the
breadth of material. Oh...and did I say study--I cannot say this
enough. Put the time in
to give yourself the best possible chance of doing well and flaunting your
stuff. I would
recommend a minimum of 6 weeks of high powered, full-time studying.
If you are taking classes
simultaneously then you should adjust accordingly.
6. Carefully
craft your cover letter and curriculum vitae to demonstrate a logical progression
in your growth as a professional.--remember
first impressions can be last impressions.
Your letter should be the very best that you are capable of writing.
Be certain to
have a number of people who you trust to give you a brutally honest review
look
over
and comment on your cover letter. Make use of the writing center
and career services
office.
How do I finance the graduate study?
Graduate study can be expensive and a visit to your institution's financial
aid office and career services office will enable you to assess different
possibilities to fund your continued study. However, the vast majority
of graduate programs in biology offer teaching and research assistantships
at the time of acceptance (or soon after). In exchange for teaching
labs or working in a lab, graduate students typically receive a stipend
that will enable you to cover living expenses and also pay your tuition
so that you are only responsible for general fees, health insurance, etc.
Discuss financial aid options with prospective graduate advisors.
Unless you are only moderately competitive, you should expect to receive
an offer similar to what I have just described and graduate school in biology
should not make you wealthy but you will be able to cover your living costs
and break even.
Updated
9 Feb 09
John
L. Koprowski
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