Author: jbonasera

Demystifying the IRT Application Process

The IRT 2020 Cohort Is Underway 

Monica Reum
Monica Reum, IRT Admission Programs Specialist

By Monica Reum, IRT Recruitment and Admission Programs Specialist

This year, we focused on transparency when explaining the IRT application components to prospective students. Knowing that some applicants were unclear and sometimes even overwhelmed by the application process, I hosted monthly webinars to serve as a support to prospective students. Research shows that often, first-generation college students tend not to reach out for help; therefore, my strategy was to provide an alternative avenue to answer student questions if they were hesitant to call or email directly. The webinar series covers application topics such as how to secure recommendations or how to have a successful interview. The sessions have helped to demystify the intricacies of the application process, expose students to some best practices and give them an inside look at the IRT application process.

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University of Maryland, College Park Office of Graduate Diversity & Inclusion Host IRT Alumni Event



photoby Brittany Zorn, IRT ‘13
IRT Arts and Sciences Programs Specialist

Once again, I had the honor of attending the Annual IRT Alumni Holiday Dinner hosted by the Office of Graduate Diversity & Inclusion (OGDI) at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) on December 3, 2019. This was the third annual dinner organized by OGDI and my second time in attendance, and each year the event has gotten bigger and better! I was proud to observe that IRT alumni from all stages of their graduate school journeys attended: Xahn Tran, IRT ‘17, Arman Liwanag, IRT ‘17, and Dominique Young, IRT ‘15, all current UMD graduate students, made an appearance. Current IRT student and UMD applicant Frangy Pozo, IRT ’19 brought her parents with her to the dinner, which made for a delightful contribution to the feeling that we were all dining with family. However, the greatest treat, for me personally, was getting the chance to reconnect with three of my own IRT cohort mates, Sharon Edwards, IRT ‘13, Amber Montgomery, IRT ‘13, and Kathy Vu IRT ‘13, who have all earned their Master’s degrees and entered the workforce. Surrounded by IRT alum who are all at different phases in their professional/graduate school journeys, reconnecting with former advisees and fellow Summer Interns from my IRT class, and meeting IRT friends, family, and peers was genuine soul food.

Continue reading “University of Maryland, College Park Office of Graduate Diversity & Inclusion Host IRT Alumni Event”

Write a post for the IRT Blog!

We invite all IRT alumni and partners to participate as guest authors and encourage you to submit articles that you wish to share with the IRT community. Contribution submissions are flexible and can vary in length. Some topic ideas are included below, but we welcome new ideas for the blog, so please reach out!

    • commentary on your work and/or research
    • an editorial on an educational issue of interest
    • news and milestones on your IRT cohort and its members
    • insight from participation in a recent conference
    • how you develop curriculum in your classroom
    • thoughts on a published work – your own or others
    • any news that you think is valuable and would be of interest to the IRT community

We hope you will consider contributing a piece to the IRT blog, if interested, please contact Janelle Bonasera  – jbonasera@andover.edu.