Graduate School in the Geosciences

Thinking about applying to graduate school? To get started, explore different geology graduate programs online and on the bulletin boards in 114, and don’t forget to look into the Stanford's own coterminal BS/MS program. Things to think about as you search:

• What are the department's strengths and weaknesses?
• What kind of research do the faculty do? Is there someone you want to work with?
• What kind of facilities are available for research?
• What kind of funding is available for graduate students?
• Does the department offer a Master's and a Doctorate?
• What other kinds of opportunities are available through the department? (Field trips, funding to attend meetings, etc.)
• Where is the school geographically? Is it a place you would want to live for several years?
• Is there someone to contact to get the real scoop? (Usually, grad students have quite a bit to say about their programs...)

Your best resource to find out more about other graduate school programs is right here at Stanford: talk with GES faculty members about the fields within the geosciences that interest you, and discuss with them faculty at other schools that potentially could be good advisors for you. Don’t forget to talk with GES graduate students, too – they’ll tell you what geology graduate school is all about.

The next step

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of schools, start contacting faculty with whom you might want to work. Find out if they will be taking new students, what projects they are working on or will be starting, and what funding is available for research and for student support. Make a faculty connection before you submit your application: this will help you decide if the program and advisor are good matches for you, and it will probably improve your chances of admission if you do decide to apply.

Applying

Most graduate schools have a similar application, and many are now online. You’ll need to send in transcripts, an application fee, a short personal essay or statement of purpose, and arrange to have your GRE scores and several letters of recommendation sent for you. Application deadlines are usually in December and January for graduate programs starting in the fall, though be sure to check – some schools are earlier, and others may give you more time.

Taking the GREs

GRE scores are required by virtually all graduate schools. The GRE is now offered in an online format only, which means it is easy to schedule and you get your scores back as soon as you finish. You can borrow GRE preparation books and study guides from the GES Undergraduate Program Coordinator in 320-112. You can get more information about the GRE, register online to take the test, and take sample tests at the official GRE website.

Once you are accepted

Celebrate! But don't stop yet - try to hold off any final acceptance decision about a school until after you visit it. Most schools will pay all or part of your expenses (at this stage, they are recruiting you!), and being on campus is the only way to get a true sense of the department, the school, and the community. Talk with as many graduate students as you can about their experiences within the program and make sure the place feels right for you – you’ll be spending a lot of time there!