Applying to Graduate School
Once you have decided that graduate school is in your future and found programs of interest, you will notice that each school has a different application, including deadlines, fees to apply, and how many letters of recommendation you need. Browse our resources below to learn what you need in order to apply for various graduate and professional school programs.
Testing Information
Many graduate programs require this general graduate admissions test. It tests your verbal, quantitative, and analytical abilities. Some programs also require a subject test.
Required by The American Bar Association for admission to most law schools. It measures your reading and verbal reasoning skills.
Required by almost all U.S. medical schools. It tests your knowledge of biology, chemistry as well as your critical analysis and reasoning, among other sections.
Graduate management programs around the world use this test. It scores your analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal abilities.
Transcripts
Official transcripts are available for purchase from the Registrar’s Office website. You can receive them as soon as 24 hours electronically.
Letters of Recommendation
It is common to need 3-5 letters of recommendation. Each program may have different requirements regarding who can write them (faculty members, TA’s, supervisors, etc.). Reference our tips below:
- Choose people who know you well. Unless the head of the company really knows you, this will work against you. Grad schools are more impressed by letters with specific examples that illustrate your interests and abilities.
- Select people who know you in different ways. Three people raving about your research skills is less effective than three individuals who can highlight three different skills like research, leadership and writing.
Give your recommenders plenty of time. Allow one to two months to write your letters. Check in with them after a couple of weeks or a month to ask if they need additional info. This also serves as a gentle reminder.
Provide everything the recommender needs. Make sure each person has your resume, personal statement, and research information, if appropriate. Don’t forget the appropriate forms, stamped and addressed envelopes, and other details specified by your target schools.
Say thank you. Writing a letter of recommendation takes time and thoughtfulness. Make sure to return the same gesture with a thank you email or card.
Personal Statement
The most effective statements hook a reader right at the start. Admissions counselors only spend one to two minutes per essay, so invite them to linger on yours with a compelling introduction. Here are additional tips:
Reflect on how best to tell your story and develop an outline before you start writing.
Admissions counselors only spend one to two minutes per essay. Develop an effective opening statements to hook a reader right at the start.
Choose a turning point, important lesson, or self-discovery that corresponds to the essay question, demonstrates why you are applying to this particular program, and shows why you are a fit. Tailor statements to each program.
Utilize the following resources to help you develop your personal statement:
- If you are provided prompts, create a draft, edit, and seek out the career center for edits and adjustments.
- If NO prompt is given, consider these general questions to generate a solid topic: Â
- What challenges have you faced in your lifetime that you have overcome? Â
- What makes you a captivating individual by way of a life story? Â
- What about YOU makes you a unique candidate for the college program of your choice? Â
- Have you listed a defined number of reasons why you would be the most interesting candidate for the grad admission panel? Â
- Why this field and when did the interest become important to you? Why do you want to continue learning about the field and why are you confident this is the right decision?Â
- How have you learned about future opportunities from graduate school education? Who or what has helped you to think about this field long-term? Â
- What work, volunteer, community engagement opportunities have you had through your time as a student? How have you grown in the role(s) as an individual. Â
- What attributes do you believe will contribute to your success upon receiving an advanced degree? Â
- What are your short-term and long-term goals after obtaining your additional education? Â
- Always make certain the question(s)/prompts are answered within the word limit requirements.Â
- Writing over the word limit is fine for drafts, it’s all about refinement and creating a concise personal statement or answers to questions. The career center is available to help as you navigate this endeavor. Â
