Applying with baggage...=/

[smc8339]

So, as with everone on here I'm sure, I am beginning the dreaded process of applying to graduate school for the Fall of 2013. With this in mind, I have a plethora of questions, so bear with me.

Right now, I have contacted several professors about possibly joining their labs, as is standard for progams in Ecology and Evolutionary biology, and have gotten responses inquiring more about my background- and this is where I panic. I have a strong GPA (3.75) from a fairly highly ranked technical school, however, before my degree in biology, my academic background is a little rockier.

Straight out of high school, I really was truly lost as to what I wanted to do. I started out in a photography progam because that's just what I was good at in high school, but ultimately, I ended up with a degree in Criminal Justice. What was I thinking, you ask? I wanted to be a lawyer. Not well thought out, I know. So through this, I went to several schools. Again, I obtained fairly good grades, graduating from my final school with a 4.0. Grade-wise, I'm only concerned about my first year of school where I just wasn't sure what I was doing and this is subsequently reflected in my academic record.

So with all that explanation out of the way (phew!), I was wondering how lucid I should be about my background that doesn't pertain to my degree in biology. When professors ask about transcripts, should I be sending them ALL my transcripts? I know when I send my application to the Graduate Admissions Department, that all these transcripts will be sent, but I didn't know if this is something I should also offer individual professors. I would hate to have a professor agree to "represent" me under false pretenses, but I also don't want to offer up potentially harmful, and in the end, somewhat irrelevant information.

In general, will this be weighed heavily in the admissions process? Also, is this something I should mention in my Personal Statement?

I feel like overall I have a strong record in biology and really fear that my past screwups are going to hurt me. I just fear that it makes me look unfocused- which is not the case.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[ryanmor]

Professors inquiring about your background in response to your introductory emails are most likely interested in learning more about your background that pertains to the research/field of interest that you see yourself working on/in. What research questions can you see yourself focusing on? Any specific plant/animal group or methodologies you want to explore? No need to reply in detail about your convoluted academic history at this point (which is not a negative, people change their minds and interests and they figure out what they like and don't like).

I don't think sending a transcript to a prof directly at this point would be very useful. When I was back and forth in emails with a few potential PIs I would attach my cv on the first message. My cv had my cum. GPA on it and then the rest of my research history etc. No mention of specific coursework and grades. When you apply to graduate programs I would think you would have to send all of your transcripts. In many cases (or at least with some of the EEB and Botany programs I applied to) I had to list out the relevant Biology coursework separately for the department. To me that says that the adcom focus mostly on those courses that directly pertain to the research/field you will be working in.

I would definitely mention your history in your personal statement. It will make an interesting read for the adcom and will help make you stand out (in a good way) from the other applicants. Talk about it in a way that shows your personal transformation from when you received a degree in Crim J to you becoming budding evolutionary biologist or ecologist. Be specific with your reasons for going back for your biology degree and when you figured out that you wanted to pursue a graduate degree in the field. Maybe tie in something with your crime j background that led you to figure that a biology degree was for you.

[Pitangus]

Professors inquiring about your background in response to your introductory emails are most likely interested in learning more about your background that pertains to the research/field of interest that you see yourself working on/in. What research questions can you see yourself focusing on? Any specific plant/animal group or methodologies you want to explore? No need to reply in detail about your convoluted academic history at this point (which is not a negative, people change their minds and interests and they figure out what they like and don't like).

I agree with this. When a POI (professor of interest) asks for your background, he/she is referring to your research background and other features relevant to your interest in attending graduate school for EEB and in joining that professor's lab.

In addition to ryanmor's questions: Do you have research/work experience in EEB? If so, how has that experience influenced or led to your current research interests? How do your current interests connect to the work conducted in the POI's lab?

I don't know how many of these questions you answered in your introductory email, but these are likely the sort of questions your POIs are asking.

In terms of your coursework background, I wouldn't send actual transcripts unless a POI specifically asks for them. Usually a CV with your GPA (both cumulative and major if you think it's more helpful to show both) is enough. One of my POIs asked for both GPA and a list of science coursework (but still not a transcript).

I also agree with ryanmor that you could include your broader background in your personal statement, especially if you can present it as a progression to your current interests/goals.

For now though, in these initial conversations with your POIs, I would stick to the background that is relevant to EEB. Send along a CV if you haven't already, especially if your POIs have asked for one or for your GPA and other information. Your CV should include the basic information from your previous work (previous institutions and degrees received, previous research and any presentations/publications that resulted). If your previous degree interests of any of your POIs, then they will ask you about it in a future conversation.

You're on the right track contacting professors, so keep up the contact through the Fall, then decide which connections seem most promising and which you are still most interested in. Good luck!

[smc8339]

Thanks for your response/advise.

One professor I have been in contact with did just that- asked about my research experience/background (and whether I've taken the GRE-ugh), and for him, I sent along a copy of my CV (although I don't have my previous degree or any of my classes listed on there- if I did, it would be 6 pages long, lol). However, I have had one professor ask for my transcripts specifically- he has only one spot open in his lab, and he wants to look over my "application" to see if I have a good chance of getting accepted to the school before I wasted my time (as he put it). Should I still stick with just my Biology transcripts?

I don't know why I'm so sensitive about this subject - I would feel differently if it went to an anonymous Graduate Admission Department and that was it...but this has to be looked at by an individual I admire for their scientifc work and could potentially be my PI (hopefully) for 5-7 years. I suppose alot of people change their minds.....just not anyone I know.

Thanks again for your advice! You make my situation sound more normal

[Pitangus]

Hmm... your POI's request for transcripts and to see your "application" sounds to me like he wants to look over your entire application package. I don't think this is the typical request, but if he's looking to fill only one spot I suppose it might be worth it to him to have all materials ahead of time.

In that case I would recommend sending him all of your transcripts if you have copies of them, since you'll have to submit transcripts for all university-level work with your official application (as you note in your first post).

Or if you want to send only the transcript for your current degree, perhaps you should point out that it is only for your current biology degree and that, if he wants, you can also provide the transcripts for your prior work, which you will be including in your official application.

Also, I've always heard that academic CVs are supposed to be comprehensive in most cases, which means they should list all degrees in the Education section, even if they aren't the same as the proposed graduate field.

Has anyone else here heard differently?

I've heard of leaving unrelated information off of a resume when applying for a specific job, but not a CV for graduate school.

I don't think most people list coursework on their CV, so you don't need to worry about that.

Again, I don't think you need to spend time explaining your previous work now, but I think you should at least acknowledge your previous degree so it doesn't come out of nowhere in your official application.

But you really shouldn't feel awkward about having another degree. It might even make you more interesting to the admissions committee, who knows! You just don't want it to look like you are trying to hide it.

[iLikeTrees]

However, I have had one professor ask for my transcripts specifically- he has only one spot open in his lab, and he wants to look over my "application" to see if I have a good chance of getting accepted to the school before I wasted my time (as he put it). Should I still stick with just my Biology transcripts?

I would just briefly explain to the prof that you've had a circuitous route and would have multiple transcripts, that while they would be reviewed by an admission committee, are largely unrelated to your current track and ask the prof what he would like.

On a side note, I actually think that people who have had this kind of change of career track are often stronger candidates. You've been down a path and realized it's not what you want, which not only reinforces that this is what you want to do, but gives you a lot of experience and maturity that those you'll be competing against for the spot don't have. I just hired somebody with a similar story as a summer worker and he's been one of the best we've had and his story really made him stand out in his application.

[Johndg2]

My undergraduate g.p.a. was only 2.3 and I got into a stellar program. Research experience and high GRE scores, plus some really good letters got me in. It's all about convincing the right person, usually the graduate coordinator. It's good that you are making contacts too!