Updated: Tuesday, November 05, 2024
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.
Consider your motivation for attending grad school. Do you have the desire to deepen your knowledge and expertise in a specific field? Do you need a graduate degree to open doors to career advancement and a higher earning potential? Maybe being intellectually challenged is your motivation. Before applying, it’s essential to reflect on your academic and career goals, the potential return on investment, and your readiness for the rigorous demands of graduate study.
Acceptance rates vary widely and depend on several factors, including your academic and professional record, the field of study, and the competitiveness of the program. Graduate schools are looking to admit candidates who are specialists in their disciplines. At the highest-ranked programs, those who are admitted performed exceptionally well in their academic careers and have an impressive résumé to demonstrate their abilities in a professional setting.
To increase your chances of acceptance, strong standardized test scores, a compelling personal statement, good letters of recommendation, and a clear alignment with the program’s focus are crucial. However, less competitive programs may have higher acceptance rates and different evaluation criteria. Ultimately, thorough preparation and a strong graduate application are the keys to success.
You already know that the undergraduate admissions process is challenging and competitive. The graduate admissions process is even more so, due to the key differences highlighted below.
Graduate admissions offices receive a lower volume of applications than their undergraduate counterparts. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 15.8 million students were enrolled in undergraduate programs in fall 2021, compared to 3.2 million in graduate-level studies across all disciplines.
Every graduate application form is assessed critically and compared repeatedly to all the other applicants. With such a small applicant pool, it is much easier to make comparisons between a few hundred applicants versus tens of thousands. This places significant weight on each part of a candidate’s application, especially the personal statement or statement of purpose. Do your research about the school and explain why attending that school aligns with your reason for attaining a graduate degree.
Enrollment managers are tasked with keeping lecture halls filled with enough highly qualified students “to keep the lights on.” Considering that graduate school is an immense undertaking, sought out by only a few people, having enough students to finance the entire operation through tuition dollars is essential.
Even though most universities are non-profit organizations, they must still operate as businesses. Their main objectives are to produce experts and scholars while simultaneously enrolling enough students to continue functioning year after year. When you submit a graduate school application form, you are applying to a semi-independent program within the university. Graduate programs are smaller entities within larger academic institutions, like a small department in a corporation. And like a department within a corporation, they must justify their existence and financial stability to continue producing graduates.
If you’re weighing the pros and cons of grad school vs. work experience directly following undergraduate study, rest assured that relevant professional experience can help your grad school applicant profile. Work experience doubles as an indicator of preparation to study advanced topics and a gauge of how a graduate degree will help a candidate attain career goals.
A well-prepared student can offer keen insight into the course material and draw connections to what is happening in the field. Scholars are constantly updating their research to analyze what is happening in the world beyond academia, and students with real-world experience are excellent providers of this knowledge. What is most important, however, is that earning an advanced degree will result in a tangible benefit to the student’s career path. This means that, for some, it will lead to a doctoral degree, or it will provide specialized knowledge and skills to become an expert in the field.
Beyond assessing your preparation and knowing how a graduate degree will help you, admissions officers are also concerned with an applicant’s employability once they graduate from their school as well. In a sense, they want to admit people who will boost the school’s placement statistics after they graduate. This, in turn, makes the graduate program more attractive to new applicants and ensures that the program will have enough enrollees to continue operating.
Professors in your chosen field of study are also likely to be evaluating your application. Graduate students are expected to work closely with their professors, so they are careful about choosing students with whom they can collaborate. Professors are going to select the candidates that align with their research interests, so it is worthwhile to thoroughly study what your future mentors are researching before you apply. A personal statement or statement of purpose is the best place to write about how you could contribute to their work and what interests you most about it. Again, it is always good to do your own research about the school to which you are applying.
It’s important to build a balanced grad school list that aligns with your academic and professional goals, and research will help with this, too. Consider factors like faculty expertise, research opportunities, program reputation, and location. Do you plan to work while attending grad school part-time, or will you commit to being a full-time grad student? Do you prefer an online, on-campus, or hybrid program?
Determine what you need out of your grad school experience and use this information to identify programs that are the best fit for you. If possible, plan a campus visit so you can get a more complete picture of your compatibility with the school.
It’s important to review each program’s admissions requirements. In some cases, you may be offered conditional admission instead of regular admission if you need to make up program requirements that you do not meet; however, you are more likely to be admitted if you fulfill all the requirements.
Review the application requirements carefully so you can submit all the necessary materials and meet the deadlines. While individual programs may vary in the application materials and prerequisites they ask for, most have similar requirements.
Most graduate programs require a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and a solid academic foundation in the relevant field of study. Many programs require specific coursework that provides the necessary background knowledge, such as foundational courses in mathematics, science, or humanities. Some programs might also require or recommend certain skills or experiences, such as research, internships, or relevant work experience.
Competitive undergraduate grades serve as a key indicator of your academic capabilities and readiness for advanced study. Admissions committees use your GPA and course performance — especially in upper-level and major-specific courses — to assess how well you have mastered foundational knowledge and skills pertinent to your intended graduate program.
Schedule and prepare for the graduate admissions exam, if required — this could be the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT, depending on the type of graduate degree program you are pursuing. It’s important to schedule this exam well in advance so you can receive your test scores before the application deadlines. Utilize study guides, take practice tests, and consider prep courses if needed.
Some non-native English speakers may be required to submit English language proficiency scores, especially if they did not complete their undergraduate degree in an English-speaking country. Commonly accepted tests include the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). These scores assess your ability to understand, speak, read, and write in English at a level necessary for success in graduate studies.
Transcripts are a vital component of grad school admissions, providing a comprehensive record of your academic performance and coursework during your undergraduate studies. Most programs require transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you attended. Admissions committees use your transcripts to evaluate your background and fit for the program, ensuring you have the necessary foundation to succeed in graduate-level work.
Letters of recommendation are a crucial part of grad school admissions, providing personal and professional insights into your qualifications, character, and potential for success in advanced studies. Ask for recommendation letters from professors, employers, or professionals who can speak to your qualifications and potential for success in grad school. Provide them with ample time and relevant information to write strong letters.
A statement of purpose or personal statement is another important piece of your graduate school application, allowing you to articulate your academic and professional goals, research interests, and reasons for pursuing advanced study in your chosen field. This essay provides an opportunity to showcase your passion, motivation, and suitability for the program, highlighting relevant experiences, accomplishments, and future aspirations. A well-crafted statement should demonstrate a clear alignment with the program’s strengths and faculty expertise.
Unlike a standard resume, a graduate school resume emphasizes your academic achievements, research projects, publications, presentations, and relevant work experience. It may also include skills, honors, awards, and involvement in professional organizations. It should be tailored to highlight experiences that align with the program’s focus, demonstrating your potential to succeed and contribute to the academic community.
Learn more about how to prepare for grad schools by building your applicant profile as an undergraduate.
Graduate school is a significant financial commitment that requires careful planning and exploration of various funding options. In addition to the cost of attendance, it’s important to consider application fees, books and supplies, living expenses, and other costs. Fortunately, various options for financial aid are often available for graduate students.
Many graduate programs have application fees, which can add up quickly. In some cases, you may be eligible for a fee waiver — this typically applies to applicants in certain demographics or income brackets. Alternatively, you can find graduate programs that do not charge an application fee.
Prospective graduate students have many of the same funding options as undergraduate students, including scholarships and fellowships, grants, and loans. If you plan to continue working while pursuing your graduate degree, check if your employer offers a sponsorship or tuition reimbursement benefit. You may qualify for this benefit if you are pursuing a program of study relevant to your profession.
A common option for full-time students is a graduate assistantship. These are typically teaching assistantships (TAs) or research assistantships (RAs) that require you to work part-time at the university in exchange for a tuition waiver and stipend.
The cost of living for grad students can vary widely depending on several factors, including the location of the university, housing options, lifestyle, and whether you have dependents. While housing is typically the largest expense, you’ll need to consider utilities, food, transportation, health insurance, books and supplies, and miscellaneous costs. In many cases, your financial aid can help cover these expenses.
Ultimately, the right time to consider graduate school is when you are intellectually and practically prepared to commit to the next level of your educational journey. Ideally, this consideration starts during the later years of undergraduate study or early in your professional career. Reflect on your long-term objectives, industry requirements, and personal readiness for the demands of graduate-level coursework and research. It’s also crucial to have relevant experience or a strong academic foundation in your chosen field.
If you are considering graduate school, it’s always great to have an informed plan as there is a lot of information to absorb before you start the process. For more information on the graduate admissions process and how IvyWise can help you gain admission to your best-fit graduate program, consider our graduate admissions counseling services.
There’s More to Expect Than Just a Case of Senioritis There are hundreds of books, movies, and TV shows that portray senior year as a time of independence and growth. It’s true that once you hit senior year, you’re no longer a small fish in a big pond. As a senior, you’re a campus leader—it’s […]
Students who are starting to research undergraduate programs can easily be overwhelmed by information. It’s not just a matter of which schools to apply to, but which type. Different types of colleges and universities offer different campus environments, class sizes, and program offerings, among other things.
Let’s examine the different types of U.S. colleges you may come across.
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 medical school is a very different process than the undergraduate admissions process that students have already experienced. While MCAT scores, applications, interviews, and prerequisite courses are important, it’s also critical for med school applicants inject their personality into their applications and find ways to stand out in the increasingly competitive medical school admissions process.
