Example of Scholarship Possibilities

As you continue to prepare your admissions material, I will continue to post information that I hope will be of benefit and will continue to encourage you as you make the MLIS commitment.

For full-time students pursuing school media certification, please note the following opportunity.AASL School Librarian's Workshop Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a full-time student preparing to become a school library media specialist at the preschool, elementary, or secondary level. The recipient must pursue graduate level education in an ALA-accredited library school program or in a school library media program that meets the ALA curriculum guidelines for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The $3,000 scholarship is donated by Jay W. Toor, president, Library Learning Resources. For information on how to apply, go to http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslawards/schoollibrarians/aaslschoollibrarians.htm

Admission Requirements

I am posting this information found on a SLIS webpage because I want all of you to see that the admission process is possible for you! Soon Christmas will be here and postings will cease for a time but I wanted to get this one up so you all could begin thinking about the process and about a plan to meet the deadline. For the June 1 deadline, think April! :)

Admissions Requirements for the MLIS Program include the following:

1. A completed USC Graduate School Admissions Information Form and a non-refundable $40.00 application fee. This application may be completed by paper or electronically.

Go to the home page of the Graduate School and click on "Apply Now" or go directly to the Application.

2. An official transcript showing possession of a baccalaureate degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency. The undergraduate record should show promise for graduate study with a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in the last two years or 60 semester hours of the applicant's undergraduate degree.

3. Official transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended.

4. Two letters of reference from persons who can comment directly on the applicant's professional and academic capabilities and potential. For example, college instructors could comment on an applicant's previous academic performance in relation to potential for graduate study; a supervisor/administrator could address job performance and potential for advancement. Letters which speak only of the applicant's personal attributes will not be accepted. Letters from friends and relatives are not acceptable.

5. The School of Library and Information Science requires one of the following:a. Official score reports for tests taken October 2002 or later showing at least 950 on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE with a minimum score of at least 500 on the verbal portion. b. Official score reports for tests taken prior to October 2002 showing at least 950 on the combined verbal and quantitative or verbal and analytical (whichever is higher) portions of the GRE. c. Official score reports for tests taken October 2004 or later showing at least 410 on the Miller Analogies Test.d. Official score reports for tests taken prior to October 2004 showing 50 or better on the Miller Analogies Test.e. (International students whose native language is not English must also submit an official report showing a minimum score of 570 [230 computer-based total] on the TOEFL exam.)

6. The School of Library and Information Science Supplemental Information Form, which includes a statement of purpose. Download the Supplemental Information Form which is completed along with the Graduate School electronic application. When you write your statement of purpose, please, please include all of the required parts! Dr. Wallace

http://www.libsci.sc.edu/program/degrees.htm#mlisadmit

GRE

http://www.testprepreview.com/gre_practice.htm
http://www.syvum.com/gre/
http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/gre/index.htm

These three websites for GRE review were shared via the listserv and I thought it would be good to have them here also.

It is always important to do one's best; however, the application has a number of parts for consideration of acceptance into the program. Don't stress over this one part; make each part the best expression of who you are, e.g. letters of recommendation, your professional/work experience, and your personal statement.

I was told by Student Services that applications have begun to arrive. There is no numerical cutoff so don't worry. I mention it only because it is exciting to me to see the cohort begin to take shape. The important cutoff is June 1 by which time all persons will have received their acceptance letters! :)