Graduate Admissions

By Indhika, IvyWise Graduate Admissions Counselor Similar to undergraduate applications, graduate applications usually have a prompt to submit additional information or an optional statement. Applicants often wonder if and how they should use the ‘optional’ prompt and whether it is tacitly required. The short answer is – no.

By Indhika, IvyWise Graduate Admissions Counselor Many graduate programs require three letters of recommendation as part of their application process. Recommendation letters are the only part of your application that you will not be able to review and, as such, it is important to identify recommendation letter writers that will most compellingly capture your skills, achievements, personal attributes, and potential contributions to the school you are applying to and field you are building a career in. While admissions committees read A LOT of recommendation letters that often sound very much alike, there are some recommendation letters that truly stand out and enhance an applicant’s profile.

By Mike, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor “What do you want to do with your life?” As a former academic advisor and faculty at a public college, I often found that this question struck fear in the hearts of first-year college students, turning a conversation about potential majors into an existential identity crisis. In high school, the conversation around college majors and career paths is typically held within the lens of graduation or college admission requirements and fails to give the requisite time to answer such a big question in a thoughtful and informed manner.

By Nellie, IvyWise MBA & Graduate Admissions Counselor Recent graduates and working professionals may be wondering what an MBA admission committee is looking for as they build the next generation of business leaders. Overall, it is important to understand that you need to tell your own unique and consistent story throughout the application. However, MBA admissions committees will also be looking for specific traits throughout your application.

As MBA admission offices are seeing an increase in applications due to the pandemic-induced recession, you may be wondering whether now is the right time for you to go to graduate school. Before you consider applying, it's important to understand the basics of an MBA degree. MBA stands for Master of Business Administration.

If grad school is in your future, it’s important to have ample preparation and support in order to have the best chance of admission to your best-fit programs. Many prospective graduate students start the graduate admissions journey while still completing their undergraduate degree. For those current college students preparing for the graduate admissions process, guidance from an academic advisor can put you on the right path to achieving your graduate education goals.

By Sarika, IvyWise Medical School Admissions Counselor  You have taken all the right pre-med courses. You have worked diligently in a research lab for over a year. You have shadowed a neurosurgeon.

Are you passionate about making an impact on a global scale? Are you inspired to solve complex global challenges? Do you want to be part of an institution that shapes global policy and events?

Applying to Grad School: Frequently Asked Questions Applying to grad school is a big decision for many students and working professionals. Whether you’re still in college or have a few years of work experience under your belt, it’s likely been a few years since you’ve applied to school. The graduate admissions process can be daunting but understanding how it works and when to start can make it more manageable.

Applying to graduate school is an intensive process, and whether you’re a current undergrad looking for tips for applying to graduate school or a professional looking to go back to school, the most important preparation you will do for the graduate admissions process is building a balanced grad school list. After finding the answer to, "should I go to grad school?" it's important that students prepare for the process properly.

The MBA admissions process is highly competitive, and for many applicants, especially those who are applying after years in the workforce, navigating the MBA admissions landscape can be difficult. There are a number of questions that come up time and time again when applicants are weighing their MBA options and our expert MBA admissions counselor is here to answer them. How can MBA applicants identify their best-fit MBA programs?

By IvyWise MBA Admissions Counselors There are a number of resources out there that provide tips for applying to graduate school, but what about graduates who are years removed from academia? For many people, the MBA path isn’t apparent until after they have been in the workforce a few years, and, actually, the ideal time for most people to think about attending business school is with a few years of professional experience under their belts. Many working professionals don’t prepare ahead of time for the rigorous application process that exists at most top-tier business schools.

If you plan on attending graduate school, whether it’s business school, law school, medical school, or some other graduate program, you’ll most likely need to take one of several graduate admission exams as part of your application. Preparing to take graduate admission exams long after your initial undergraduate admissions process can seem daunting, but the sooner you get started the sooner you can be on your way to a rewarding graduate school experience. The entrance exam that you take will depend on the graduate degree you are seeking and, in some cases, the specific school or program to which you apply.

By IvyWise Graduate Admissions Counselors You made it to college! You’re attending the school of your dreams and enjoying all that college life has to offer. For most undergraduate students, graduate school is a possibility, but many aren’t sure until closer to application time.

Graduate school is becoming an increasingly attractive option for many students, if only because it provides a sense of security and purpose in an economic climate that does not. Still, applying to grad school on a whim is ill-advised. So, how do you know when grad school is right for you?

After navigating the undergraduate admissions process, many students might mistakenly assume that applying to medical school is more or less the same. While there are some familiar components, such as essays and standardized testing scores, the medical school admissions process is unique and requires considerable planning in order to gain admission to your top-choice medical schools. There are many steps on the road to becoming a doctor and gaining admission to a medical school that aligns with your goals is a major piece of the puzzle.

Just as in undergraduate admissions, the graduate admissions process often requires standardized testing as part of the application process. Whether you are a current college student considering your postgraduate options, or a professional looking to advance in your current field or make a career change, studying for the GRE is an important way to prepare your strongest application to graduate school. The Graduate Record Examinations is a standardized test that is a crucial part of the graduate admissions process for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada and few in other countries.

MBA applications are on the rise, and while most business school applicants are well aware of how much time they will need to spend preparing their applications or studying for the GMAT/GRE, many don’t necessarily consider the amount of time they should be spending on program research. Pursuing an MBA is a huge investment of your time and money, so it’s really important to do your due diligence in choosing a program that will best fit your goals. There is more to consider than just the prestige, rankings or “name brand” of an institution.

If you’re looking to apply to graduate school or live outside the US and want to take the ACT, you might soon be faced with a computer-based standardized test. Computer-based testing (CBT) is increasingly the norm, as test-makers feel they can be delivered and administered more securely, with the trend moving towards exams entirely unique to individual test-takers. Happily, CBT means more choices and tools for you as you leave the messy world of misbubbled Scantrons behind!

The graduate admissions experience isn’t that much different than the undergraduate application process, but there are several aspects that make it special. No matter what the reason may be to go back to school, it is important to understand how and why graduate admissions offices function as they do in order to maximize your chances of admission to your best-fit graduate program. Graduate programs are available for most disciplines of academic study and they generally entail research, gaining specialized knowledge beyond what is offered at the undergraduate level, or some sort of terminal qualification that imparts a specific skill set.

By Indhika, IvyWise Graduate Admissions Counselor If you are considering applying to master’s programs, you may have debated the merits of attending a program in the UK vs the US. Depending on where you completed your undergraduate studies and your career ambitions, both locations offer exciting opportunities and benefits. Below are some factors to consider when choosing between master’s programs in the UK and US.

By Indhika, IvyWise Graduate Admissions Counselor and Academic Advisor In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis, and rapidly changing domestic and international political landscapes, have underscored the need for a new generation of leaders who are motivated and well-prepared to address complex societal challenges. Across sectors, it is important to elevate the importance of measuring program impact, identifying policy recommendations, and contributing to the public sphere. Public policy experts can be found in roles as diverse as business analysts, artists, engineers, educators, lawyers, and healthcare professionals.