Reddit reviews Graduate Admissions Essays, Fourth Edition: Write Your Way into the Graduate School of Your Choice (Graduate Admissions Essays: Write Your Way Into the)

r/StatementOfPurpose has lots of examples from other people that you can read, as well as if you search through this sub. I also used https://www.amazon.com/Graduate-Admissions-Essays-Fourth-School/dp/1607743213 this book for help and swapped SOPs with my peers. After a while, you get a feel for it.

I've read that's more impressive to ask meaningful questions about their research that reflects that you read their recent/prominent work. Although, that's for the PhD track, and it goes with the same mentality that you take the proper steps necessary to ensure this lab is a good fit for you.

I'm not too familiar with the etiquette for master's programs, but I think that these questions:
>...is the program mostly focused on classes?
>Is it possible to continue and get a PhD in the same program if I decide that I want to keep continuing?

...are better directed at the admissions officer of the program, rather than the professor.

I'm referencing this book, which you might find helpful as well: Graduate Admissions Essays
Despite the title, it has a chapter on emailing professors before applying, complete with a template of what you should be sending them.

Good luck! hope that helps c:

Drafting your essays in a Google doc is a great idea. Strongly recommend reading Donald Asher's Graduate Admissions Essays. Tons of tips on how to write your way into the graduate school of your choice, and samples.

I'm a first-year grad student that applied last year using this book as a guide. Part of the book contains great general advice for the different components of your application: finding the right programs, keeping track of deadlines, asking for recommendation letters, etc. But as the title suggests, most of the book is about the entire process of writing a solid personal statement. You start with some brainstorming exercises that eventually lead to compiling your first draft, followed by editing techniques until you get to your final iteration. 50+ example statements are provided, along with commentary that points out good and bad aspects of each one.

That book was easily the best resource I had while applying. I was able to borrow a copy from my local library, but even at the $15 Amazon price it's totally worth the money. It looks the the one I linked you to is a brand new edition that's only a couple months old, so I'd be interested to see what's been updated.

1. Apply to graduate courses to take in the summer (either online or in class) as a non-matriculated student. Get As. This will show that you can handle the workload and are taking the application process seriously - it also helps if you don't have a lot of research experience. (Bonus points if it's at a SUNY/CUNY school.) Many Summer I sessions start at the end of May or early June.
   
   
2. Address your low undergrad GPA in your statement of purpose in a way that shows how you've learned and can ensure your success in a master's program. Don't dwell on it, but they do want to see how you've grown and how you've applied it to your life since then.
   
   
3. Your GRE is already good, to make sure you write a smashing SOP. Graduate Admissions Essays by Donald Asher is a really helpful book on this, it also describes a lot of the "ins and outs" of applying to grad school.
   
   
4. Get strong references. Your academic ones probably won't be great, so if you can get stronger in-field references it would be helpful. That book I mentioned above has a checklist on what to discuss with a potential reference to that they can write you the best recommendation possible.
   
   
5. If your current job doesn't deal with non-profit leadership, then it would be incredibly helpful to find a volunteer position within those lines.
   
   SUNY and CUNY schools are heavily researched-based, and some of their programs are just as competitive as any other state system. It might be worth looking into CUNY EMBA programs if they are available (they are more expensive, but have more to do with making new connections and gaining experience rather than heavy research.)

First, I'm glad you're applying to become an RD! I hope you get in and go far! :)

1. What was your timeline for when you began actually taking time to put everything on DICAS? It's September now and the semester will fly by so how early did you start actually spending quality time on it? I am wondering if it's better to just focus on the semester at hand and leave all DICAS stuff for winter break or if I should start now.
   
   When I applied, I tried to get everything done as early as possible. If DICAS has already opened, then have a goal of getting it all done and turned in 2-4 weeks ahead of time. Certainly don't wait until the last minute to put it all together. I suggest finding a date you want to turn it in by and start scheduling items from your "To-do list" so that you can pace yourself and not have to do everything at once (during the semester is fine as long as it doesn't interfere with other important things like exams). Things like who you want to get rec letters from would come first because professors have many obligations and letters likely won't be written within a couple of days time.
   
   
   
2. When did you take the GRE? Did you take it more than once?
   
   Luckily, I didn't have to take the GRE, so I won't be much help here. But, I would think that if you need the GRE for DICAS, it would probably be a good idea to take it during winter break since you haven't already. Definitely not something to wait on and you're going to have to study for it. Again, if you need it for DICAS, start scheduling study times now because you're not going to have an opportunity to take it twice.
   
   
   
3. I had to retake a couple of classes due to poor grades my freshman year of college. I did just fine after retaking both classes and ended up with an A and B which is a huge improvement from 2 D's. I was wondering how to approach this if I should bring it up in my personal statement a reason for the poor grades or if I should just leave it alone and not mention it. My most recent semester spring 2016 my GPA for the semester was 3.8 with 19 credit hours (I added a psychology minor late). Obviously I am doing worlds better academically but I am wondering if internship directors will look at the 2 D's and judge me based on grades I got 3 years ago. Freshman year I was just checked out from school and from life. 'Checking out' doesn't make for a good explanation in the personal statement.
   
   The best resource I've ever purchased was a book on how to write admissions essays (or else you're going to sound just like everyone else). This book my favorite.
   Also, I wouldn't address the grades specifically. For example, I didn't do well the first year of undergrad, but did exponentially (so to speak) better by my senior year, so I talked about my growth in education and learning and how my grades showed a positive trend that only went up over time, and were only going to continue being great.
   
   I hope you find this information useful and let me know if you have other questions!