How to Apply for Graduate School

Whether you plan to jump from undergrad into a graduate program, or you have taken time off, this is a checklist of things you need to prepare well in advance.

Depending on the program for which you are applying there are different levels of difficulty. This is not a guide to choosing the right university as that is an entire process of its own.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Recommendation letters
• GRE scores
• Transcripts from all colleges you attended
• Personal essay letter
• List of deadlines
• Portfolio - depending on program
• Resume
• 8 1/2 x 11" Envelopes
• the ability to handle rejection

1. Apply to more than one school. Programs choose applicants based on the universities ability to fund students that year, and a balance of different types of backgrounds. Though you may not be right for one school, you may be perfect for another. If everyone rejects you, reapply the following year because you may be perfect a year later. Many people apply 4-6 times before being accepted, so do not take it personally. If you do reapply, fine tune your application materials.

2. Take the GRE. Some programs (the arts) do not require the GRE for their department, but the overall graduate studies department may require it for ALL applicants so be prepared. Programs in the sciences, law, etc. have additional testing that they will require. Take the tests at least 6 months before the application deadlines so you can focus on the application, and so if you perform poorly you have time to take the test again.

3. I recommend a year's notice to anyone you want a recommendation letter from. Schools require between 2 and 4 letters, and each school has a different format for submission. Some are online only, some want envelopes sealed, signed across the seal and submitted separately or with the application. Many times the recommender will also have to answer a short survey about the person they are recommending, so prepare them for this extra step. HAVE A BACKUP! Have at least one additional person willing to write a letter in case someone doesn't meet the deadline.

4. There are many ways to approach the personal letter/essay or statement of purpose, so do research online for examples in your specific field. Each college will have a different length requirement, some will tell you exactly the questions they want you to answer, others will be very vague. Draft each essay specifically geared in subject and length to each of the universities to which you are applying.

5. Fill out the application early. Many applications are online, some are not, so you will need to request an application. Applications are the easy part, questions about where you worked, schools you attended, your GPA, your residency, etc. Easy to do, but they are long: 10-14 pages sometimes, so get it out of the way first.

6. Request transcripts at least 2 months before the application deadline, but even better to request 4 months ahead of time. Your former university can be slow, or ignore your request, and you will need to follow up. If the transcripts are sent directly from a former school to a potential school, make sure the school you are applying to has received your transcripts. This and recommendation letters are the two steps that most often delay your application.

7. Write a resume, but write it in the vein of a curriculum vitae. This is an academic resume, not a rundown of summer jobs, so make sure information is in line with your academic pursuits. Some universities require a resume or CV and will allow for 2 page lengths, some universities do not require either.

8. Portfolio: if it is required for your program, make sure it is polished, has a central theme or aesthetic, and that it demonstrates the direction you are going and want to go as described in the personal essay. Have a professor or professional in the field review the portfolio.

9. Send everything well before the deadline. If you are dropping things in the mail ON the deadline, take it directly to the post office to insure it is stamped for the right date. WARNING: some deadlines are 'postmarked by' some are 'received by'. Estimate 10 days for anything sent USPS. If you don't think it will be received in time, go to FED-EX and pay for the overnight shipping. You are already investing in the application costs, transcript costs, GRE costs, so don't skimp on the mailing costs.

10. If they don't ask for it, don't send it! These are busy people, whether department heads, professors, or graduate student peers, they don't want to review things that won't affect your entrance to the university. Sending something extra will not give you an edge, but it will annoy the department.

Tips & Warnings

• Send items in large envelopes so that nothing is folded. Put your full name and middle initial on the envelope and all supporting documentation. If the university gave you an application ID, include that as well.
• Follow up, online or over the phone, to be sure that all your items made it to the school on time. Though missing the deadline with one item can nullify your application, many universities will make allowances for being one item short - as long as you resend it as quickly as possible.
• Most of your acceptances or rejections should be known by the end of May. If you haven't heard from a school by the end of that month, call them. Some schools reply as early as January. If you are wait-listed, call after to May to see if there is a change to your application status.

Resources

• Write a Resume
• Prepare for an Interview

[helenrobinson]

on 11/4/2008 Graduate studies requires good preparation for GRE, Take the tests 3 months before, and some online sites are very helpful, There is a site named www.examville.com that has lot of good and new features. You will get study materials free to download. I find this site very useful. GRE need more practice..Read some famous GRE preparatory books. Keep taking many online practice tests in the site, I use to take many free online practice tests and see my score card. Try that out..May be useful for you too..All the Very Best!