So you want to go to graduate school for Marine Science?

/ saradwms

Intro and note:

     This is a compilation of google searches, personal thoughts, and crowd-sourced advice on applying for graduate school, with a focus on grad schools in Marine Science. It was initially developed as additional resources for a presentation to the interns at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota FL during the summer of 2017. So if there are any specific dates listed below, check that they are current. Make sure that you check the most up-to-date websites and information for funding/fellowship due dates and required application materials, and do not rely only on the information I’ve posted below.

I only applied to one graduate school to work with one advisor who I had already worked for as a technician for a year and a half at Northeastern and as an undergrad at the College of William and Mary. My advisor and I work well together, he supports me as I pursue the research that I am passionate about, and I have my own funding (NSF GRFP). This path does not work for everyone, which is why I highly recommend applying to multiple schools and funding sources. I hope that if you have stumbled upon this blog post that you find it helpful, and good luck!

Some crowd-sourced advice from grad students at Northeastern:

  • Start conversations well before applying – like in the spring
  • Find people who are doing interesting stuff
  • Start by asking “Are you accepting students?”
  • Watch your grammar!
  • Talk to graduate students
  • Don’t rush in
  • Make sure it’s right for you
  • Make sure you are doing the right project
  • Ask yourself “What are your professional goals?”
  • Go to meetings if you can, and talk to people
  • Talk to your undergrad advisor, they know people
  • Use a directory like evoldir
  • Advisors like to get a professional email as an introduction
  • Get on Twitter! It’s a great way to learn more about different labs and hear about open positions.

Links to Useful Blogs and Websites:

Resources for finding open positions:

Resources for Fellowships and Funding:

  • The Big Ones:
    • National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP)
      • General website: https://www.nsfgrfp.org
      • Read the Solicitation in full when applying.
      • Generally due late October, different fields have different due dates
      • 3 References are due slightly later, usually first few days of November
      • When can you apply / how many times?
        • As an undergrad senior or when you are also applying for grad school
        • Grad students are limited to only one application during first or second year only
        • “Applicants who have completed more than twelve months of graduate study or have earned a previous graduate or professional degree are eligible only if they have had an interruption in graduate study of at least two consecutive years prior to November 1 of the year the application is submitted. To be eligible, applicants must have completed no additional graduate study by August 1 of that year. Applicants must address the reasons for the interruption in graduate study in the Personal, Relevant Background and Future Goals Statement.”
        • Also, you have to be a US citizen
      • How much support?
        • Max of 3 years of financial support
        • Stipend is currently $34,000 for a 12 month tenure
        • Some research allowance, but depends on your institution
        • Have to use a full year at a time, can’t break it up into semesters
        • Access to more funding through the Graduate Research Internship Program and Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide (GRIP AND GROW)
        • Cyberinfrastructure resources available
      • Very Competitive.
      • Application materials:
        • Background info in Fastlane
        • Electronic Transcripts
        • 3 references
        • Personal, Relevant Background, and Future Goals Statement (3 pages)
        • Graduate Research Plan Statement (2 pages)
      • Notified in early April, award about 2,000
    • NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster
      • General Website: http://fosterscholars.noaa.gov
      • Particularly for female and minority students
      • Only award 2-4 a year, highly competitive
      • For NOAA mission-related sciences: have to tailor it to NOAA’s goals
      • Deadlines:
        • Application process opens in October
        • Usually due in early December
        • Announced in May
      • Restrictions:
        • Only US citizens at US institutions
        • Pursuing an advanced degree in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology, and all science, engineering, social science, and resource management disciplines involving ocean and coastal areas
        • Can apply during all stages of masters and Ph.D. studies, even when applying to schools
        • Have and maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher and full time student status
      • How much support?
        • Yearly allowance of $42,000 (12-month stipend of $30,000 and $12,000 education allowance)
        • Up to $10,000 of support for a 4-6 week program collaboration at a NOAA facility
        • Master students are supported for up to 2 years
        • Ph.D. students are supported for up to 4 years
      • Application Materials:
        • Standard Form 424
        • Table of contents
        • General info sheet
        • Statement of interest
        • Transcripts
        • Enrollment verification/schools applied to
        • Transcripts
        • Research proposal
        • Two letters of recommendation
        • Statement of financial need
        • Declaration statement
    • EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Graduate Fellowships
    • National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NSDEG)
      • https://ndseg.asee.org
      • Similar to the GRFP
      • Usually fund more applied oceanography research
      • Applications open in September, Due early December
  • Some other links for fellowship/funding resources to checkout:

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