How to Apply to Grad School Online

Most grad schools have websites on which prospective applicants can look up admission requirements, course listings and financial aid information. Some grad school programs allow students to apply online for admission. However, the online application in most cases is just a first step in the admissions process. After submitting an online application, applicants must follow up by sending transcripts, test scores and any other additional material.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Grad school application fee
• Social security number
• Personal statement or essay
• Official transcripts
• GRE test score reports
• Letters of recommendation

1. Have your credit card ready before you apply online to the grad school program of your choice. In most cases, you will be required to pay a non-refundable application fee when you complete this first phase of the application process.

2. Complete the personal information section of the online application for grad school. You will need to give your birth date, social security number and contact information. Proofread carefully to be sure you have entered all numbers correctly.

3. Fill out the section about your educational background. Enter in the dates that you attended college and your major program of study. The grad school application may have drop-down menus for you to choose your majors from.

4. Enter in your personal statement or essay if there is space provided. A personal statement is a short piece of writing that explains why you will be a good addition to the grad school program or it may answer a specific question posed by the admissions committee. Some schools may accept personal statements online, while other schools will want you to mail it with your transcripts.

5. Print out your online application or save a copy of it on your computer before you submit it. This is a safeguard in case the application somehow does not arrive at its destination.

6. Mail your Graduate Record Exam (GRE) report, official college transcripts, letters of recommendation and any other required information to the grad school. Try to do this right after you apply online to avoid mislaying the papers.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure you have some quiet, uninterrupted time when you are applying to grad school online. Mistakes may not be easy to fix on an online application, especially once you have hit the "submit" button.
• In the event that you have entered information incorrectly or inaccurately, don't panic. Find the phone number to the grad school's admissions office and call them to find out what you can do to correct the problem.

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