Tips on applying to graduate school

Black Collegian, Oct 1995 by Copeland, Elaine S, Alvarado, Ave M

If you are interested in applying to graduate school, you need to start early. It is crucial to research institutions that meet your academic and personal needs. Information about graduate programs may be obtained in several ways. First, discuss your desire to attend graduate school with your faculty advisor. Frequently, they can help you assess your choice of institutions as well as your academic performance. Secondly, you should select up to five institutions you would like to attend. If you have a stellar academic record, you should target the top graduate programs in your field. However, if your record is not as competitive, you may decide to choose two or three other programs that are not quite as competitive. Your advisor, or other faculty in your field, can help you in identifying these graduate programs.

When looking into particular graduate programs, keep in mind that certain areas of specialization may have varying academic homes. For instance, Counseling Psychology may be found in the School of Education or in the School of Psychology; and Chemical Engineering may be listed in the Physical Sciences or in Engineering. Some other items that should be considered when selecting each of your top-ranked institutions are: the quality of the graduate program, the reputation of institution and faculty research, the accessibility of research facilities, and the cultural/social climate.

Once you have made your choices, you may obtain information and materials about programs at various institutions by:

1. Asking faculty in your major who may be familiar with various institutions and the programs at those institutions

2. Visiting your university's career services center to view graduate school guides and directories

3. Using library/resources to view catalogs, etc. from the institutions to which you plan to apply

4. Writing the graduate school directly to request an application and specific information that describes the graduate program of your interest

5. Participating in locator services and name exchanges

6. Attending graduate education conferences and recruitment fairs

7. Seeking information using computer searches on the World Wide Web

If you are attending an institution with grate programs, you will also want to discus your choices of institutions with graduate students. These activities will help you determine whether a particular program fits your needs and your chances of being admitted given your grade point average, background, and experiences. Review materials to find out whether or not you have met all of the prerequisites. Find out whether you need to take a standardized test for your particular program.

When applying to graduate school, make certain that you are clear on what items you need to send to the graduate schools of your choice. It is critical that you submit all of the required forms and information before the application deadline and, more importantly, before the selection process begins.

The Application Form

Review the application carefully and provide all of the information required. Follow the deadlines specified. Often, a fee is required. Some institutions may waive the fee if you can show financial need. Applications will not be processed without the appropriate fees or waivers.

The Statement of Purpose

A personal statement is extremely important, especially if you do not have an opportunity to interview. It should include your reasons for applying to graduate school in a particular discipline; your area of interest; a description of specific academic accomplishments related to the discipline, including related work and/or research experience; and a brief description of your career goals. If necessary, you should provide an explanation of any low grades or areas where performance was less than adequate. It is also a good idea to mention your knowledge of the research that is currently being conducted by faculty in the department you are interested in.

Once you have completed a draft of your personal statement, you should submit it to a faculty mentor. He or she can often provide you with constructive criticism that will help you as you refine your essay.

Letters of Recommendation

Ask faculty members who can evaluate your academic ability to write letters of recommendation for you. Character references are generally not used in evaluating applications. When requesting a reference, you should ask the referrer to mention each activity in which he or she has evaluated your work. To help the referrer, provide him or her with a copy of your personal statement and a resume listing your academic achievements, awards, and experience.

A Report of Standardized Test Scores

There are a several different standardized tests that may be used by graduate programs as admissions criteria. Typically, you are required to take only one such test. Exams such as the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), and the Miller Analogy Test (MAT), are more commonly used by graduate programs leading to the MS, MA, and PhD. Commerce and business majors may be required to take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). If you are interested in a professional degree, e.g., Law or Medicine, you will be required to take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), respectively.