Graduate Admissions

Events Graduate School Admissions DATE AND TIME On Demand Free Watch Now ABOUT THIS EVENT More college graduates are opting to pursue post-graduate degrees than ever before, and with a plethora of master’s, MBA, and law programs available across thousands of US universities it’s important for students to take time to evaluate the best options for their academic interests and career goals. Whether you are just beginning your college journey and keeping your options open, or a rising senior planning on applying to graduate programs this upcoming cycle, join IvyWise Graduate Admissions Counselors Indhika and Nellie for an introduction to the graduate school admissions process. In this webinar, our IvyWise experts give an inside look at the current graduate school landscape, insight into how applications are evaluated, and tips on what it takes to stand out amongst the competitive applicant pool.

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.

Graduate school offers a rigorous curriculum in a fast-paced environment. ­One way admissions officers determine your ability to be academically successful is by reviewing your transcripts. Official transcripts from each institution you have previously attended showing all undergraduate and/or graduate work included will be a required component of the application materials.

By Mike, IvyWise Academic Advisor As a former academic advisor and faculty member 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. If students are lucky, their high school might have one or two courses related to career exploration.

By Nellie, IvyWise Graduate Admissions Counselor As your college experience is nearing its end, you may be wondering about the next steps for your career. Should you apply to graduate school immediately following your undergraduate studies, or would it be better to seek full-time employment? Both options have advantages and disadvantages.

By an IvyWise Law School Admissions Counselor There are nearly 200 American Bar Association-approved law schools in the United States. With so many options, it can be difficult to determine which law schools you should apply to. When you research potential law schools, look at their admitted student profile, such as the average GPA and LSAT score, to better understand what schools will be likelies, targets, and reaches on your list.

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 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.

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 For most undergraduate students, graduate school is a possibility, but many aren’t sure until closer to application time. By then, you’ve passed many opportunities to work on areas that will influence your application to graduate school. Even if you’re not entirely sure which field you’ll be pursuing in a few years, it’s important to get involved the moment you step foot on campus to ensure that you’re making the most of your time in college and that you have the best chance of gaining admission into a top-choice graduate school.

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?

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. GRE stands for Graduate Record Examinations, a standardized test that is often taken as part of the graduate admissions process in the U.

If you’re looking to apply to graduate school or plan 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. This trend accelerated with the College Board's recent move to an all-digital SAT, which involved a major overhaul of that test's content.

Planning to attend graduate school? You will find the graduate admissions experience to be like the undergraduate process in many ways, but there are a few differences that stand out. Researching the type of programs offered, knowing what to consider, and understanding the requirements for admission can help you more smoothly navigate the process of submitting your grad school applications.

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 U.K. vs.

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.