Name

Shweta Rawal

School

Florida State University

Degree Program

Second year Master of Science student in Nutrition Science

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, 2008

Thesis Topic

The impact of green tea extract, caffeine and other ingredients on the abdominal fat of overweight men and women

Research Interests

Solutions to the obesity epidemic

Advisor

Dr. Michael Ormsbee

Advisor’s Research Focus

Weight loss; protein supplements

Hobbies

Dancing, music

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I selected Florida State University’s masters program in nutrition science because I wanted to attend an American research-based institution where I could explore my interest in sports nutrition. After a little research, I determined that Florida State met those criteria. I am happy with my decision to go to school here because I feel that this program allows me to gain research in my preferred area.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared for graduate school by performing basic research about my subject area and working on my application materials. I read several articles that pertained to my general research area so that I could narrow my interests down to the topics that I wanted to focus on. I also studied for the GRE and worked closely on my statement of purpose because that is the most important requirement.

I found it difficult to prepare for graduate school in the United States since I completed my undergraduate education in India. The higher education system in India is run differently than it is in the United States, so I felt like I had little guidance as to what I needed to do to prepare.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, Florida State University required me to submit scores from the GRE exam. Each applicant is required to make a minimum score of 500 on the quantitative section and 500 on the verbal section, for an overall required score of 1000.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

In my personal statement, I primarily wrote about my major research interest, which is sports nutrition. I discussed the first-hand experience that I had gained conducting studies in that area during my undergraduate program so that the admissions department at Florida State University could see that I was serious about my academic and career goals.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I chose to ask for letters of recommendation from people who could speak about my academic skills and professionalism. For example, I picked 2 faculty members from my undergraduate institution who had known me for a long period of time. I also asked my boss to write me a letter, because I thought that a professional recommendation would be helpful since my job skills would be important in graduate school.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in nutrition science?

Students who want to apply to graduate school in nutrition science should work on fulfilling the admissions requirements as early as possible. They should ask their professors for letters of recommendation early to allow for plenty of time to write them. I also recommend that students make their personal statement a top priority. A clear, confident statement of purpose is half the work of getting accepted into a masters program in nutrition science.

Graduate School – The Program

What is the focus of your masters research?

For my masters research, I am part of a team that is conducting an 8-week study on the effects that a particular supplement has on overweight individuals. The supplement contains some natural ingredients that we consume on a regular basis, such as green tea extract, caffeine, fatty acids and essential amino acids. We are observing the combined effect of all of these ingredients on body composition and abdominal fat in men and women.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your thesis?

The thesis process for my masters program in nutrition science requires heavy background reading and independent research before you even start to write. I started my research by reading over 150 papers so that I could write my review of literature, which required me to summarize the research that had already been conducted on my topic.

Specifically, I took note of the pros and cons of each of the ingredients in the supplement we are studying. I needed to find out how effectively those ingredients cause certain chemical reactions in the body, as well as what research potential each ingredient has. After that, I narrowed the research down and came to the conclusion that the supplement might have beneficial effects on body fat, so I started to design an experiment to test the idea.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

The major difference between Florida State University’s graduate program and my undergraduate experience is that now we are not just doing theoretical work. As an undergraduate in India, I mostly learned from books and from taking exams, so there were fewer opportunities for practical application of theory. We still read many articles in grad school, but that research leads directly to real experiments.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

I do not know exactly how much the graduate program at Florida State University normally costs because as an international student, I pay 3 times the tuition as an in-state student. It gets very expensive.

How are you funding your education?

I paid for my education with loans during my first semester because I didn’t receive any kind of tuition waiver. But this semester, I have a teaching assistantship position that reduces my tuition. Some of our research is funded through grants from athletic organizations like the International Sports Medicine Association.

How difficult do you anticipate it will be to pay off your loans after graduation?

Once I get a job, I don’t think it will be difficult to repay my loans. My program prepares graduate students for internships in research facilities, so I feel very confident in my ability to get a good job after I graduate.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters degree in nutrition science?

I split my time between teaching and studying, so my program takes up at least as much time as a full-time job. My teaching assistant position requires about 10 hours of work per week. In my case, I am the full time instructor, as opposed to an assistant. Preparation for the classes takes about an hour each day, while grading exams and quizzes adds another 2 hours a week. I also work as a wellness educator in a gym, which requires another 3 hours each week.

Outside of work and class, I spend about 15 to 20 hours per week researching, which occupies most of my morning at least 5 days a week. But I do make an effort to take a full day off each week so that I can recover for the next week.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Between working on my thesis, conducting research, studying for class and teaching, I don’t have much time left over for friends and family. Because of that, I make an effort to involve them in what I am doing and to enjoy the people around me. Students need the cooperation and support of their loved ones, but they can also make friends with their peers and coworkers.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

As a nutritionist, there are many career paths that I could follow during the next 5 years. For instance, I could work in a healthcare setting or even as a manager in the food service industry. But in my immediate future, I plan to pursue an internship that will let me explore the different specialties within clinical and sports nutrition.

Are you planning on pursuing a PhD? If so, how are you preparing for the admissions process?

I think my chances of getting a PhD are slim because I am mainly interested in the practical implementation of sports nutrition theory. I love the coursework, but I want to get out of academia so that I can work in the real world.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in nutrition science?

Prospective nutrition science graduate students should communicate closely with their advisors and any peers who are already taking courses in nutrition science. Their advice and experiences can help a student create a directed plan for graduate study, which is important because it is easy to lose focus with so many different options.