Applying to Graduate School

Have you ever wondered how many people in the United States have higher degrees? According to the 2018 census, approximately 13.1% of adults have attained either a Master’s or Doctorate degree.  For certain careers in STEM an advanced degree is absolutely necessary but for others there may be other routes to professional success.  If you are amongst the thousands who are planning to apply to graduate programs across the U.S. there are some things you might want to consider.  As someone who was intimately involved with graduate admissions for years here is my advice.

Decide if you are ready to take the first step.

· Research whether a graduate degree is necessary for your career aspirations. Check the Occupational Outlook Handbook or other similar resources for information regarding your potential career path.  A conversation with either a mentor or a career counselor can also help shed light on your proposed career.  A higher degree may insert you at a higher level within the career path, or it may be the minimum requirement to get you started.  Knowing how this degree will be leveraged is vital before you begin looking for programs.

· Decide if you are personally ready to begin a graduate program. Do you feel excited and prepared for more time in school? Depending on the program, you may be spending between 2-6 years in a program to obtain your degree, therefore an honest assessment of your commitment to that degree is important.

Define the type of program you want to apply to.

· Consider the size of the school and program you are applying to.  Do you want to blend into the background of a large program or do you want the individualized attention that may come from a smaller one?  Are you confident you will stand out in a large one or will you be more comfortable in a larger cohort?  Does a larger school or program mean that it will be more diverse?  Do you see yourself reflected in the faculty and administration? Take time to identify what features are most important to you to find the appropriate program.

· Consider where you want to live and if you can afford it. Depending on the degree, you may be paying for your degree program therefore you need to account for the cost of living on top of your tuition.  You may want to stay living at home to reduce costs, or live in a cheaper city to make things more manageable.  Paying out of state tuition costs may be a burden you are unwilling to consider.  If you are lucky enough to be given a stipend or scholarship that may open you up to live where you want.

· When thinking about location, you may also want to consider how far away you will be from your family/support system.  If you are a caretaker of a family member, relocating may not be feasible.  As most graduate programs are rigorous and require focus, this will also mean you may only be able travel to visit your family every so often.  For applicants with partners and/or children, you will also need to consider the benefits (and cost) of relocating. Research the programs thoroughly before you apply.  Review the program website to learn about the admissions process as well as potential mentors and students.  If the information is not readily accessible then reach out to the program administrator to ask.  Remember it is a person you are asking and write a polite message.  This may be your first point of contact with the program so being prepared can help you build rapport with members of the office and potentially the admissions process.  Another great resource to check is the program and mentor public social media accounts. Many researchers and universities now have public accounts to highlight student achievements and exciting research.

· Only apply to programs where there are a few people you could be interested in working for.  You wouldn’t want to be accepted only to find that the one individual you liked isn’t taking students this year, or that you are no longer interested in their lab after starting the program.  Mention these individuals in your application materials to ensure the reviewers know your interests but also to demonstrate you did your homework before applying.

· Consider the additional training the program provides.  Does your program provide additional professional development opportunities or services that will benefit your training?  Even if you feel you are bound towards a research or teaching career it is better to have information on a multitude of options and be prepared for other paths.

· Now that you have researched the potential programs that are a good fit for you, consider which schools are right to apply to.  Be honest with yourself regarding your chances of acceptance.  Create a list that includes schools that you will be reaching for, schools that are within your abilities, and “safety schools” which you anticipate you will be accepted by. By having options, you are increasing your chances of getting accepted to a program.

Prepare Your Application.

· Take time to write your personal statement.  Tailor each statement to graduate programs you are applying to.  While there are sections which can remain the same (why you want to attend graduate school, what your career goal is) there are other parts which need to be specific (why this graduate school/program, why you will be successful, and who you want to work with).  In addition to these changes, some schools have their own spin to the personal statement.  Make sure you are answering what they are asking.  Let your personality and unique qualities show in your statement to ensure your application is memorable.

· Ask the individuals writing your letters of recommendation well in advance.  Many of them will be writing a number of letters therefore to ensure that they are submitted in time it is best to provide them sufficient notice.  You should also provide them with an up to date CV/resume and other pertinent information to help them write you the best letter. Consider who you request letters from.  A generic letter from someone who doesn’t know you very well could harm your application.  You want to receive a recommendation from someone who knows you well, can speak about your strengths, and give you a ringing endorsement for graduate school.

· When you take an admissions test such as the GRE, MCAT, or TOEFL, try and take it as few times as possible.  When the result is sent to the admissions office your other test results are included, not just the best you have.  If you are only incrementally increasing your score it may not be worthwhile repeating the test.  If, however you feel that you can greatly increase your score you should consider retaking.  Also, if you took the test a few years ago it may be out of date and the school may require an up to date test result.

Submit Your Application.

· Each school may have an application fee.  This can easily add up and may mean you will want to review your financial situation before applying.  Depending on your previous communication with the program, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver or discounted fee.  Many schools have this for early applicants or if you have met them in advance through tabling or at a conference.

· Know when the application window ends and always hit submit to your application as early as possible.  Some programs begin reviewing candidates before the deadline if all supplemental materials have been received.  There can be occasional glitches in the application system therefore you wouldn’t want to miss the application deadline because of a technical error.  The programs are unlikely to provide extensions to their deadlines as the application systems automatically cut off at the appropriate time.  If procrastination gets the best of you and you are cutting it close to the deadline, ensure you know which time zone your application is in.

Good luck in your application process.  Remember in most cases the application is to get you noticed by the admissions committee and hopefully get an invitation to interview.  Ensure that your application is well presented, spelled correctly, and has decent grammar.  That may sound simple but you want to make it hard for the committee to remove your application from the pile.  Taking the time to dot your I’s and cross your t’s will only increase your chances of moving on to the next stage of the admissions process.  

To watch a video with more detailed information on applying to graduate school : https://youtu.be/1cxrrAYZsII

To watch a video with specific information on writing a personal statement (statement of purpose): https://youtu.be/7o8R4oY46G8