Getting into graduate school to study biomedical and health sciences is no easy task.
But Dr. Joel Oppenheim, associate dean for graduate studies at New York University, gave University undergraduate students tips on how to make the arduous process a little easier.
Oppenheim addressed students yesterday at the University Medical Center's Towsley Center, in a lecture titled "How to Apply to Graduate School," as several graduate schools from across the nation advertised their programs for browsing students.
While most students applying to graduate school to pursue biomedical and health research have acquired the necessary scientific background, Oppenheim said he looks to admit mature students with a range of interests.
"I'm looking for well-rounded students, for students who read the newspaper and can talk to me in an intelligent fashion," Oppenheim said. "You have to be able to understand the society around you."
Oppenheim said students should take many factors into consideration when applying to graduate schools, including the quality and flexibility of their programs, finances, geographical location, library and computer resources, minority offices and child-care services.
To find information about potential schools, Oppenheim advised speaking with professors, using career service programs and looking up schools in periodicals such as Peterson's Guide.
Oppenheim said oral and written communication skills are essential for scientific researchers, and advised students to hone their reading and writing abilities as undergraduates.
"You can do great science, but if you cannot communicate this research to the community and your peers, your work will never be recognized," he said.
LSA junior Nora Kuriel said the lecture was helpful because it was less formal than most applications seminars.
"I've been to other graduate programs before, but I think this is the best," Kuriel said. "He gave a lot of details that other schools don't give and didn't try to be intimidating."
Oppenheim advised casual dress and spontaneity for interviews and honesty on applications, which he said some students fill with exaggerations, only to contradict themselves during the interview process.