Graduate & professional school
Graduate admissions, guided by a professor and dean.
One-on-one guidance on program selection, statements of purpose, and application strategy for graduate and professional school candidates.
Scope
From the program list to the decision.
- Clarifying goals and identifying programs that fit them
- Building a balanced list of programs
- Statements of purpose and personal statements
- The academic CV or résumé
- Recommendation strategy
- Interview preparation
- Weighing offers and deciding
Why his perspective matters
Graduate programs are chosen by faculty. Dr. O’Connell has taught as a professor at two universities, served on a university admissions committee, and worked as a dean and administrator. He understands what faculty look for because he has been the one looking.
The process
Deliberate, and on schedule.
Work is planned backward from the first application deadline.
Initial consultation
Your field, your goals, your record, and your timeline.
Program strategy
A list of programs, balanced for fit and admissibility, with deadlines mapped.
Application materials
Statements, CV, and recommendation strategy, developed and revised in one-on-one sessions.
Interviews and decisions
Preparation for interviews and a clear-eyed comparison of offers.
Questions
Common questions.
Do you work with applicants outside Wisconsin?
Yes. Dr. O’Connell works with applicants on a state, regional, national, and international basis, by Zoom or FaceTime.
Will you write my personal statement?
No. He helps applicants clarify their purpose, structure the statement, and revise their own writing. Committees read for an authentic voice.
When should I begin?
Ideally well before the first application deadline, so there is time to refine the program list and draft the statement carefully. Call to discuss your timeline.
Contact the office
Describe the program and the timeline.
Share the field, the programs under consideration, and the application deadlines. Dr. O’Connell will recommend where to begin.
(414) 719-1112