Steury Lab

Wildlife ecology research at Auburn University

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Graduate Student Qualifications


 

What does it take to get a graduate position? Competition for acceptance into graduate school in wildlife or ecology is fierce. In general, there are many more applicants than there are spots in graduate school. Here are some things that I look for in an applicant. Such qualifications are probably important to most graduate advisors.

  •  Excellent grades - most schools require a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Obviously, higher GPA's are better. However, small differences probably aren't important. Thus, I would choose a 4.0 student over a 3.0 student, but I would consider a 3.5 equivalent to a 3.6

  • Excellent GRE scores - most schools require a minimum 300 (verbal+quantitative) on the GREs. However, higher scores are often required to be strongly considered. I routinely get applications from students with GREs in the 320 and even 330 range. However, some graduate advisors put little weight in GRE scores.

  • Field Experience - I like to see at least a couple of years experience. While I have considered students with almost no field experience, I get many applications for graduate positions from people that have substantial field experience.  Obviously, the more field experience you have the better. Field experience that is directly relevant to the graduate project you are applying to do is especially beneficial. Your first couple of positions (either while in undergrad or right after you graduate) may have to be volunteer positions or otherwise positions that pay very little - such positions are just as good (for getting into grad school) as paid positions. Try to get positions where you are collecting data and studying wild animals. Positions caring for captive animals, doing interpretive (i.e., education) work, or lab positions are less useful. Lots of field experience, especially experience that is directly relevant to the graduate position you are applying for, can make up (at least a little bit) for low grades or GRE scores

  • Publications - Generally, I receive very few applications (for master's program) from students that have published research. Given that the most important and most difficult thing you will do as a graduate student is publish your research, I (and many other advisors) look VERY favorably on a candidate that has already published something. Publications could greatly make-up for low grades, low GRE scores, or little field experience. If you are applying for a Ph.D. position, you probably won't be considered unless you have submitted at least a couple of papers for publication. I am continually amazed at how few master's students published their research (especially if they plan to go on for a Ph.D.).

  • Good letters of recommendation - I put less emphasis on letters of recommendation; other advisors rely on them heavily. The reason I don't put too much weight in letters is that they almost always support the applicant. Glowing letters of recommendation might help your chances of being accepted. However, unfavorable letters of recommendation will almost certainly eliminate you from consideration.

  • Good interview - I interview every applicant that I am seriously considering for a position. Once I've made a short list of the best applicants, then the interview is the most important factor in determining who I will choose for a position. That's because I'm going to be working with the student for several years, and I want to make sure that we get along. Furthermore, I want to make sure that the student is prepared for graduate school. These are the kinds of questions that I ask and the kinds of answers I'm looking for:

    • Why do you want to go to graduate school? Graduate school is a big commitment; I want to make sure you want to go for the right reasons. Not being able to get a job, not knowing what you want to do with your life, or wanting to hold on to the undergraduate lifestyle are NOT good reasons for going to graduate school.

    • Why do you want to join my lab? I'm looking for students that are interested in ecological concepts that mesh well with my lab: predator-prey relationships, population dynamics, conservation. Saying that you want to work with wolves (or other specific taxa) is not a good answer. The best answer is "I want to answer the following question......"

    • What do you want to do after you get your degree? While this question is less important, and not knowing the answer will not necessarily hurt your chances of being accepted, knowing exactly what you want to shows planning and determination.

If you have any questions about these requirements, or work in my lab in general please contact me

 

E-mail: steury@auburn.edu 3301 Forestry and Wildlife Building, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 Phone: 334.844.9253
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences © Todd Steury 2008