Are you thinking about applying to graduate school? It can be a daunting task for sure, but there are plenty of ways to prepare! Follow the tips below to see how you can get the upper hand on the admissions committee to ensure that you’re accepted into your school and program of choice.
Research Programs/Specializations
Not all graduate schools (and programs) are created equal and considering the amount of time and money you’ll be investing in a program, you really owe it to yourself to do your research ahead of time to ensure you find a school and a program that’s a good fit for you. Make sure you choose a graduate program when applying to graduate school that will lead to your preferred career. You may also want to look into the faculty (what are their teaching styles and preferred assessment methods, where have they been published, do their values align with your own?) as well as the location of the school and how much it costs.
Fees especially can vary greatly from school to school, so do your homework and ensure that you can afford the program before you go to the trouble of applying to graduate school. In addition, we recommend you do some research into the course structure of the program (is it entirely online, hybrid, or in person? How many classes are you expected to take at one time?) You’ll never regret doing this work prior to applying to graduate school; you’ll only regret NOT doing it if you get accepted into a program and find out later that it’s not a good fit for you.
Start Early
Timing is crucial when it comes to applying for graduate school, so you’ll want to begin the application process well in advance to ensure you have enough time to prepare. Most likely you’ll have to send in various supporting documents along with the actual application, and these can take some time to gather and submit. You should allow up to eight weeks for official transcripts and exam scores to arrive, and it’s polite to give your professional recommenders at least four to six weeks to submit their letters (more on that later).
In addition, you’ll probably need to write a personal statement and/or a statement of purpose essay, and that’s not something you want to rush through. Finally, if you plan on pursuing financial aid, you should allow yourself at least four to six weeks to familiarize yourself with that process and complete the necessary paperwork. Applying to graduate school is definitely not something you can do in a weekend, so plan accordingly!
Prepare for Standardized Testing
Some schools will require you to pass a standardized test, such as the GRE, before admittance into a program. Prior to applying you’ll want to ascertain if this is a requirement for the university you’d like to attend, and if it is, plan to prepare far in advance. The GRE, especially, is not a test that you can cram for in a weekend. You’ll need time to research the test format, determine your baseline and target scores, study GRE vocabulary, take practice tests, etc. It’s also a good idea to research the school to find out the average testing score that students earn who have been accepted into the program so you have an idea of where you stand and how much you need to prep. Standardized test scores can make or break your admission chances, so don’t sleep on this requirement when applying to graduate school.
Request Strong Letters of Recommendation
“Letters of recommendation are excellent when it comes to showing an admissions committee why you would be a good candidate for a program. They are an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to demonstrating the full picture of who you are as a person: a student, an employee, and a contributing member of society.”
You should ask people who know you well in a professional capacity, who can attest to your work ethic, integrity, and other factors that will be important to a graduate admissions committee when applying to graduate school. Ensure you give them enough time to write the letter (four to six weeks are recommended) and share any requirements for information or templates put forth by the university.
Write a Strong Personal Statement
The personal statement component of a graduate school application can be particularly stressful if you’re not a fan of writing. However, this is not an area to skimp on or leave for the last minute. A personal statement essay is a great way to show the admissions committee your personality, and to distinguish yourself from their other applicants.
Prepare for the Interview
Does your school require an interview prior to admission? If so, similar to the personal statement essay, this could be a great way to set yourself apart from the crowd IF you interview well. One way to ensure you do is by researching and practicing the interview process. Familiarize yourself with common questions that you might be asked and think through your responses to them. Here are some sample questions and answers you can use to give yourself a head start. If you typically become nervous during interviews, practice calming techniques like deep breathing strategies. The more you practice, the more natural you’ll feel, and the less nervous you’ll be.
Have your friends and colleagues act as the interviewee and then give you constructive feedback on how you can improve. You’ll want to appear confident, even if you’re nervous, and practice is a great way to truly feel confident in your abilities. Also, be mindful of your nonverbal communication, such as eye contact and body language. Make sure you look the person in the eyes when you shake their hand, sit up straight throughout the interview, smile, and be present.
Follow these tips when applying to graduate school and you’ll be accepted into in no time!
Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.
