As the director of the graduate program and leader of the admissions committee, I am able to provide applicants with advice that will increase the chances of being accepted into a graduate program. This article should be used as a tool to refine your application file. It in no way guarantees your acceptance into any program. Based on my experience reviewing applications and meeting with potential students, I found that there are some important things applicants need to know and pay attention to.
Applicants must first understand that graduate school is very different from undergraduate programs. For example, undergraduate programs have requirements for students to be well rounded, taking classes in different areas so that students have some knowledge in several areas. Graduate school focuses on a specific area of interest and is a shorter amount of time. You must be sure of your interest in that area because you will be studying all aspects of it. Graduate school is not the place to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. You must know what you want to do and want to consolidate your knowledge and skill in that profession.
Second, the admissions committee uses the required items you submit to build a case for why you should or should not be accepted into their program. In many programs you will be compared to other students. Graduate schools want the best students who are productive and contribute to the richness of the program. They will see the actual application, test scores, transcripts, and read your personal statement and letters of recommendation. These components are what they use to visualize you as a student. This is not a foolproof way, but it is the only way. Some schools conduct interviews, but not many, so these components are all you have to make your decision. The following components are important to that decision:
Transcripts are very important and the first to be reviewed. All programs have a GPA requirement. Some programs will no longer search your file if your GPA does not meet the entrance requirement. Some programs will review the list of courses you have taken and the higher level GPA (most recent two years). Perhaps you had a difficult time or life-changing circumstances that affected your grades for a short time, but you showed improvement. Some programs will take this into account.
The next component reviewed on your application is test scores. Some schools don’t require a test, but many professional degree programs require some type of test, be it GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, DAT, and more. It is imperative that whatever exam you take, you should prepare for it. These exams cost money each time you take them. These are not tests you want to take just to see if you do well. Scores are published in a national database for universities to see. If you receive low scores, those scores will be posted even if you retake the test. Take the time to prepare for the test, especially if you’ve had trouble doing well on standardized tests. Some schools offer prep classes, books are available and if you have the money you can pay a company that offers prep classes. Each exam has a website; You should be able to find practice questions and information on study groups and preparation resources.
Recommendation letters are more important than applicants may realize. Letters should be from professors and job and internship supervisors. Those who write letters to you should be able to speak highly of your work ethic and your ability to do graduate work. This is easy if you have built a relationship with your professors and have a positive student experience. If you are afraid that your teachers will not remember you, then you will have an extra step. Contact the teacher of your choice, request a meeting. During the meeting, you will bring a resume and a writing sample with you. Remind the teacher of the class you took with him or her and the grade you received. Discuss some of the topics that were covered in that class. Then, you must inform the professor about his professional and academic goals. Give them your resume and writing sample, if they ask for it. Discuss your plans to apply to graduate school and how you would be honored if they wrote you a letter of recommendation. Pay attention to his body language. If he is hesitant or seems like he wants to say no, but doesn’t want to hurt your feelings, give him a chance to say no. If they seem genuinely interested in your plans and are asking for more details, this is the person who might be a good reference for you. Let them know the deadline for their submission and send an email reminder if they don’t submit right away, sometimes they forget.
Lastly, an important component is the personal statement or essay required by all programs. Some programs have specific questions to answer, and others allow you to simply write about your goals. The personal statement is an essay that allows the admissions committee to get a sense of your writing style and your ability to write professionally. They also want to make sure that their goals match the mission of the program. Be sure to follow the instructions, do not give more or less than the application requires, and have someone review your work before submitting it.
Graduate school is a great place to hone your skills and challenge your academic abilities. Be sure to research the programs that are appropriate for your goals. Doing that, and heeding the tips above, should ensure you have a solid app. Do your best, getting into the program is half the battle. Now that you’re armed with valuable information, good luck on your journey into the world of graduate education.
