• How a graduate education fits into your personal and professional interests and growth
• Trends, developments, and characteristics of fields of interest; publications describing current research
• Individuals, programs, and centers teaching and/or conducting research in interest areas
• Personal considerations of time, finances, and support, as well as necessity to work
• Interest and ability to travel and relocate

• CJB Network: a search tool for environmental graduate programs
• Online College Database: Directory of U.S. Colleges and Universities
• Peterson's Education Center: College Search from Peterson's Guides
• College Board Online Home Page: College Search
• CollegeView Home Page (Profiles of 3500+ colleges; Virtual Tours)
• CollegeNET Home Page (College Search in U.S., Canada, NZ)
• Gradschools.com
• Princeton Review
• Graduate & Professional School at the University of California
• U.S. News Graduate School Guide and Rankings
• Student Affairs Graduate Preparation Programs
• Western Regional Graduate Program

• Career Connections is an exclusive online networking and mentoring platform that connects you to Cal Poly’s professional community. Alumni in the platform have chosen to be here for you – they want to help you as you explore your own career path. As a student, you can utilize Career Connections to reach out to alumni from a graduate school of interest to you.

• GRE Online​
• For the GRE (On-Demand or Live Online)
  • Prep Study Options​
  • Free Practice Tests
• Cal Poly Test Office - includes test preparation sites
• Preparing your Curriculum Vitae - from University of Saskatchewan, Canada
• For the MCAT (On-Demand)
• For the LSAT (Live Online)

• University of California System
• Cal Poly Graduate Programs
• Pathways: UC Online Undergraduate Application
• California State University System
• CSU Mentor (CSU campus search and application)
• Guide to California Colleges and Universities: California Postsecondary Education Commission
• Foundation for Independent Higher Education
• Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Project Pipeline(Teaching Credential Internship Program)
• Cal Teach: California Center for Teaching Careers

• California Virtual Campus
• Peterson's Online Schools
• Get Educated.Com
• University of California Extension Online

• Turn something distinctive about yourself into an interesting way to launch your essay
• Remember who and what your intellectual influences have been
• What writers/articles in your field of study have influenced you
• Favorite professor
• Best paper or exam you ever wrote and why
• Most important book, play, article, film you ever read/saw. How has it influenced you?
• Single most important concept you learned in college
• Define your career goals
• When and how you first became interested in this career and how this interest has evolved
• Academic and non-academic influences
• Extracurricular activities
• Experience from family life
• Your motivation for a career as a…
• 1 year, 5 year, ultimate goals

Academic Background

• How have you prepared yourself to succeed in graduate school?
• What body of relevant knowledge will you take with you?
• Significant study or lab skills
• Research or publications completed to date
• Influence of family/early experiences

Personal Philosophy

• Be careful of stating opinions that are too strong or controversial
• Any problems and/or inconsistencies in your record
• Address GPA issues related to personal or academic problems, including change of major
• Account for gaps in time or a sporadic school or work history

Special Conditions

• Disadvantaged background; large (35 hours/week) workload outside school

• Has great opening lines or paragraphs
• Conveys at least a glimpse of the applicant's personality
• Substantiates specific academic preparation and knowledge of subject matter
• Demonstrates an understanding of the challenges as well as the rewards of a chosen career
• Gives a sense of maturity, compassion, stamina, teamwork skills, leadership potential and general likeability usually without addressing these issues directly (tells a story rather than gives a list)
• Says what you really mean by describing an event or emotions and thoughts in detail
• Gives specifics, with DETAILS
• It's far better to give your essay a complete description of one incident than to cram it full of activities and accomplishments without any hint of what they meant to you, your motivations for doing them, what you learned, or emotions evoked.
• Shows how you will use the graduate education in your planned career and establishes that you understand your place in the "big picture"

• Writing the statement will take a lot of time. Begin early.
• Demonstrate that you've read the catalog carefully, researched the program, and considered your reasons for applying to the particular school.
• Direct your focus at that specific program; refer to faculty with whom you have been in contact.
• Get the name of the program you are applying to into the statement. Know the exact name.
• The committee is looking for diversity that extends beyond ethnic/racial. This could also mean people who have had different life experiences and people who have unusual career plans.
• The essay doesn't have to be chronological, and it doesn't have to cover your entire life.
• Write the essay for your first choice school first. Then modify it as needed for your other targeted schools.
• Don't mail the first choice application until you've finished several complete applications (this won't work for AMCAS, etc.)
• Ideas used in other essays can help fine tune the application of your first choice school.
• Use the essay to explain weaknesses or deficiencies, but if you do, it's best to keep everything positive. Explain how the experience has enlightened you or revealed positive traits.
• Grammar, spelling, and punctuation must be perfect.
• Spelling errors in a specialized, technical vocabulary of your field are deadly.
• Don't begin all paragraphs with my or I. Vary sentence structure and length. Use active voice.
• Get multiple readers, considering how many and who. Select some readers to check grammar and spelling, style, and adherence to guidelines.
• Print out on laser quality printer, with easy to read fonts. Fit text in space available without altering or shrinking it to fit to the point where it's not readable. Don't print on both sides.
• All the best essays will be both honest and direct.
• Don't attempt to guess at what you think people want to hear.
• Sincerity and truthfulness should be clearly evident.
• Read your essay carefully before an interview. Be prepared to discuss and defend as called for.
• Keep copies of everything.

• Say you "always" wanted to be a…
• Write something maudlin or overly sentimental
• Fake it or have someone else write it
• Criticize, state opinions that could be offensive, make political statements or raise religious issues
• Overly self-promote; understatement is good
• Be flip, flighty, glib or "cute." Be careful about using humor
• Write a laundry list or catalog of achievements
• Tell them what they already know about their program or profession

Letters should be written by individuals in a position to evaluate you and who are familiar with your capabilities in the field. Select people who know you well from more than one area of activity in your life, if possible. They are generally professional references, not personal or character references, unless that is specifically asked for. The most helpful letters come from faculty who have had contact with you in a classroom or non classroom setting, such as a research lab. The person writing the letter should know you well enough to write a strong, personalized letter.

References may be professors, advisors, mentors, supervisors of work, projects, internships or campus or community activities. Professors who have taught for a number of years can compare you favorably with larger numbers of students. Consider writers who may be familiar with the colleges to which you are applying, possibly an alumni of that college.

Always contact your potential writers to ask their willingness and ability to serve as a reference, when requesting a letter or giving their name as a reference during the application process. Make an appointment, and meet with them.

Provide your writers with a copy of your resume and personal statement for reference, and if appropriate, possibly documents such as transcripts, evaluations or autobiography. If a form or additional materials are required, ask if they would be willing to complete the forms, and provide them with any information or descriptions of programs that may help them.

If a letter is to be sent directly to an college, provide an addressed, stamped envelope. Let the writer know a time by which the letter needs to be received by the college, and give them sufficient time to prepare it (at least one month, preferably longer).

Letters provide information about you from a point of view other than your own. They indicate the capacity in which the writer knows you, i.e., as a professor, supervisor, etc. The writer may also state how long they've known you, and in which classes or projects.

Effective letters typically mention your specific accomplishments and activities; they should be descriptive of quality achievement and performance. You can write a statement of characteristics, activities, or accomplishments you would like mentioned. The letter should reflect the style of the individual writing.

Colleges may want the letters sent directly to them, with the student waiving the right to read the letter prior to its mailing. Select your letter writers carefully; have confidence they will comment favorably. Always send a thank you.  It is suggested that you later follow up with your letter writers to share the outcome of your graduate school application process.

Letters are usually sent to colleges as part of the application file. Follow the guidelines provided to know where to have letters sent, if they are to be sent directly from the letter writer, and deadlines for receipt of all materials. An application file may be started with additional materials such as letters and test scores arriving later.

If you plan to take time off between Cal Poly and applying to graduate school, it is a good idea to stay in touch with faculty you may later request a letter from.  Before you graduate and leave campus, consider meeting with potential recommenders, inform them of your anticipated timeline and ask if they are willing to serve as a letter writers once your application process begins. To ensure your faculty advocates are well-prepared, communicate periodically sharing updates on what you are doing in your field, your plans for graduate school, etc.

• Attend an Interview Skills Workshop given by Career Services.
• Be prepared to discuss how your skills, interests, and background can be of benefit to the organization.
• Research the position, the organization and the community.
• Find "insider" information including company mission statement, strategic objectives, corporate values and pertinent organization changes.
• Have a professional telephone greeting on your cell phone or answering machine.
• Practice answering questions out loud with a friend or family member. You may also make an appointment for a mock interview with your career counselor.

• Know the information on your resume.
• Prepare an agenda for the interview, listing the points you want to make.
• Create a list of the skills/qualities you have to offer an employer (organization, leadership, computer knowledge, dependability, flexibility, etc.) that relate to the position you applied for.
• Think about 1 or 2 weaknesses and what you have done to successfully overcome them.
• Prepare detailed descriptions of relevant situations that reflect positively on you. Be ready to describe the situation, your action and the outcome.
• Prepare for all types of questions, including open-ended, situational, and behavioral
• Research salary information so that, if asked, you have a reasonable range in mind
• Don’t speak negatively about your peers, faculty, former employers or other companies
• Be prepared with questions to ask the employer (refer to back of handout)
• Conclude the interview on a strong, positive note

• Take time to be well groomed: moderate makeup, light or no perfume or aftershave, ironed clothes, polished shoes
• Dress in business attire: for males the usual dress is a suit or dress jacket and slacks; for females it is a suit, dress or pantsuit
• Select shoes, handbags, briefcases and watches that are conservative. Avoid flashy jewelry and accessories
• Be courteous to everyone you meet: receptionists, secretaries and others
• Be confident, poised and enthusiastic
• Be professional and use professional language
• The more professional you look and act, the more likely employers are to assume you can perform the job successfully

• Arrive early
• Bring extra copies of your resume
• Be sure to know the correct spelling and pronunciation of the interviewer’s name and whether use of first or last name is appropriate. Ask if you’re not sure.
• Meet the interviewer with a firm handshake, a friendly smile and a polite greeting
• Use body language to show interest (appropriate posture and eye contact)
• Listen attentively to the questions
• Ask for clarification when you don’t understand a question
• Give complete answers and use specific examples and accomplishments whenever possible
• Use illustrations, descriptions, statistics and testimonials to support your claims
• Answer questions with honesty and sincerity
• Be aware of the time allocated
• Remember to breathe, smile and be yourself!

• Ask about the next step in the process
• Thank the interviewer and collect a business card
• Take a moment to make some notes after each interview
• Write and send a thank you email and/or letter within 1-2 days to everyone who interviewed you
• Forward any requested materials promptly
• If you have not heard from the company within 2-3 weeks, contact the interviewer and inquire about the status of the position
• Keep a record of all interviews, correspondence and subsequent follow-up
• Be persistent and maintain an optimistic outlook

• Be prepared by keeping resume and notes by the telephone
• Clarify and write down the name(s) of the interviewer(s) to whom you are speaking
• Speak clearly and directly into the telephone
• Exhibit personality and energy through voice tone and inflection
• Be factual in your answers
• Provide details and examples of your experience
• Take notes

• Review the job description carefully
• Know how to relate your experiences and skills to the position
• Select situations and experiences in which you have demonstrated the behaviors important to the current job
• Be prepared to discuss how you personally contributed to the success of the project, situation or event described
• Talk about specific actions, behaviors, and results related to the job
• Listen carefully to the questions, ask for clarification if necessary, and make sure you answer the questions completely.
• Be detailed and specific, make sure each situation has a beginning, a middle and an end

While the term "fellowship" is widely used, generally a fellowship is a competitive, short-term funding opportunity, typically sponsored by a specific organization seeking to expand leadership in their field. A fellowship can help fund:

International Experience: Learn a language, or study, intern, or teach abroad.

Research: Pay for your own research project or get research experience.

Service/Leadership Opportunities:  Get hands-on experience in public service, state and federal government, foreign service, or international affairs.

Graduate School: Get funding for your Ph.D. or master's degree.

1. Search fellowship sites such as:
   • ProFellow: Over 1000 academic and professional fellowships
   • Cal Poly LSAMP (Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in STEM) Fellowship site
   • UC Berkeley Fellowship Listings
   • Columbia University School of Arts and Science Undergraduate Fellowship Listings
   • Cornell University Graduate School's Fellowship Database
   • Scholarship Connection
2. Search job listings - Do a search on "fellowship" while reviewing listings on MustangJobs or other sites such as Idealist.org.
3. Join the Fellowship group on Cal Poly Career Connections to learn about on campus workshops and resources for fellowships.
4. Talk to current fellows or former fellows. Most fellowship websites profile current and former fellows, many of whom are happy to speak with prospective applicants.