Overview of the Graduate Admission Process
On this page, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about graduate school and the graduate admission process.
These include:
How is graduate school different from undergraduate?
Some reasons to consider graduate or professional school
What do graduate programs look for?
Helpful hints related to the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Financing (paying for) graduate school
How to find a graduate program
What does "fit and match" mean?
How is graduate school different from undergraduate?
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Some reasons to consider graduate or professional school
- higher earnings
- economic security
- upward mobility
- ability to make a difference
- work variety, independence
- ability to change employers
- personal satisfaction
What do graduate programs look for?
- quality of your undergraduate institution
- appropriate undergraduate preparation
- GPA
- admission test scores (GRE, GMAT, PCAT, MCAT, LSAT)
- fit of your goals to their program
- research interests
- work experience
- letters of recommendation
- communication skills
Helpful hints related to the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- begin preparing for the GRE your sophomore year
- acceptable scores vary by field of study (major)
- some fields of study require a "subject" test
- develop your own preparation schedule - use study groups, online programs, books, etc.
- studying/preparing will improve your scores
Financing (paying for) graduate school
The most common ways of paying for graduate school are
- teaching assistantships
- research assistantships
- fellowships
- grants
- tuition waivers
- loans
*tip: continue to complete the FAFSA
How to find a graduate program
- web search
- ask your professors, graduate students in your major
- brochures, professional guidebooks
- contact the graduate coordinator (a staff member) in your field of study
- contact the graduate advisor (usually a faculty member) in your field of study
- send meail to professors you are interested in doing research with
- ask if you can talk to graduate students currently in the program
- visit (but don't show up unannounced)
- apply to 5 - 10 universities - 1/3 overreach or "stretch", 1/3 very possible, and 1/3 sure admission or "safety"
- You will need at least 3 good letters from professors, administrators, mentors, and supervisors.
- Generally recommendations from faculty members carry the most weight.
- Begin developing productive relationships with your faculty and departmental (major/minor)) administrators and staff.
- Start making connections with your professors and mentors and talk to them about your graduate school plans.
- A CV - curriculum vitae (loosely translated as course of life) is an academic resume that highlights your scholarly accomplishments.
- Use the CV to emphasize your research experience and presentation skills.
- Typical categories include: research experience, conference presentations, publications, professional associations.
- Unlike a resume, which is typically limited to 2 pages, a CV grows in length throughout your academic career. Start now and revise it as you progress.
- Describes your goals and reasons for attending this particular graduate program and addresses the issue of 'fit and match'.
- Use it to distinguish yourself from other applicants. It is an opportunity to 'speak directly' to the admissions committee.
- This is often the first and best opportunity to showcase your communication skills.
- Start early (e.g. junior year) and show a copy to your mentors and professors for feedback and revision.
What does "fit and match" mean?
- "Fit and match" is an essential aspect of the graduate admission process. You want to be sure that you are a good "fit" for the program you're applying to for admission and that your interests and the programs interests "match".
- In your personal statement, be sure to show why you are interested in that particular field of study and that particular graduate program.
- Explain any gaps/discrepancies in your academic record.
- Describe your short-term and long-term career goals.
- Identify specific faculty members you are interested in working with and why.
- Provide evidence of your suitability for admission to the program: do your research interests align or match with the program's?