Who is usually part of the Admissions Department at a Univeristy/College?

Question

I'm applying for a graduate program at a University and would like to know who are the people usually responsible for choosing which students to let in. I would like to direct my essay to the admissions board but don't know what type of people they are - alumni? current professors of the school? outside party? Thanks!

Answer 1

The process is very different for graduate admissions than it is for undergraduate admissions.

Your application will first be sent to the Graduate School, where administrators will check it to see if it meets basic requirements, like minimum GPA, etc. They will not read your personal statement, or your writing sample.

Your application, if it meets basic requirements, will then be sent to the department to which you are seeking admission. The faculty of that department (or, in some few cases, a committee made up of some members of that department) will then evaluate your application. The Director of Graduate Studies in that department will chair that commitee.

A successful personal statement is a literate, elegantly written essay in which the student highlights her strong preparation for her intended area of study, articulates her planned area of study and her goals after completing this study, and demonstrates her facility with current theory and practice in this area.

In other words, why do you want to go to grad school? How have you prepared for graduate study thus far? What will you study when you are there? What theories and methods do you find most congenial in terms of your area of study? With whom do you want to study, and why? (Name the scholars you've found most inspirational or influential. You've chosen the schools to which you're applying on that basis, anyway, aren't you? But don't gush, or "suck up." Just state your reasons for wanting to attend THAT particular graduate program.) And finally, what do you plan to do with this degree once you earn it?

Be sure to tailor each essay to each program, and to revise each essay for clarity and style.

Answer 2

Well it depends on the school and the program. It may be that the Graduate Studies office makes the decision, in which case there are several administrative assistants (secretaries) and a director and maybe some others like an asst director, etc. It could also be the department that accepts applicants, so if you are applying for a grad program in biology, the biology department would make the decision, or at least have a say in it. Check with the school to see who makes the decision. It may be a committee of faculty and other professionals.

Answer 3

It depends on the university, but usually the admissions board is comprised of faculty members and administrative staff (eg. admissions officers and directors).

Answer 4

It doesn't matter. Just write your best essay. Most are just employees of the university.