Graduate School

Factors to Consider

Here are some important factors to consider when deciding where to apply.

• Program

  The focus and philosophy of a specific kind of graduate program may differ greatly from one institution to another. This means that curricula and degree requirements for programs may vary. Research and choose schools that will serve your academic needs and have a philosophy and approach similar to your own. Review the course descriptions of required and elective courses, and learn whether a thesis is required.

• Faculty

  Learn the specific areas of expertise of faculty in the program and see how closely their research interests match your own. You may want to look up faculty articles and papers and read them to determine their interests and approach. Many graduate programs include faculty profiles with their curriculum vitae (an academic resume) which you can also review.

• Quality

  When evaluating a graduate program or school, you should consider the faculty, facilities, student body, job search success of graduates, career services, and reputation.

  Investigate the highest degree received by faculty members and their availability to graduate students; nature and breadth of library resources and research facilities; educational and work history of current students; marketability of degree holders; extent of career-related assistance; and overall program and school reputation both in and outside academia.

• Financial Assistance

  Some financial aid is available to most graduate students. In addition to federally insured student loans, you can also receive financial assistance (although scarce) via fellowships, assistantships, traineeships, and grants. Check with the financial aid office of each school you’re considering to find out what they offer. The chances for financial aid are increased the earlier you apply. You may need to research additional sources of financial aid independent of your program. Many universities also offer full or partial tuition remission to employees. You can also apply for residence life positions, especially if you served as a Community Advisor as an undergraduate student. 

Application Process

There are many components to the graduate school application, so the sooner you begin to complete your “package,” the better.

Deadline dates and policies differ among institutions and most institutions will not act on an application until all materials have been received. The weight given to each component of the application package will vary greatly in different institutions and programs.

Here are some of the major components of the application process:

• Application Form

  Most graduate school applications are online forms. 

  Copy the application and use the copy as a working draft.

• Essay Question or Personal Statement

  Well-prepared essay questions and personal statements are crucial to acceptance. Devote serious thought and time to your responses. Admissions Committee members want to know not only how you think, but also how well you organize and transfer your thoughts to paper.

  Keep answers brief and to the point, including all pertinent information about your past experiences and educational goals. Personal statements should be edited and revised, with careful attention to grammar, spelling and proofreading. Career coaches in the Career Resource Center can review your application essays.

• Recommendation

  Generally, three letters of recommendation are required as part of the application package. Letters should be written by former professors and employers who can speak to your aptitude, motivation, and ability to succeed in an advanced academic environment, as well as your commitment to the field of study. Request letters well in advance of your deadline, and agree with your recommender on a deadline for the letter to be submitted. Letters are usually submitted through an online system.

• Entrance Exams

  For those schools that require entrance examinations, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are most commonly used.

  Some schools supplement or replace these exams with tests of their own. The GRE is an aptitude test with verbal, quantitative and analytic sections, each scored separately. In addition, the GRE offers advanced tests in 22 fields of graduate study.

  The 50-minute MAT presents analogy matches designed to measure verbal and reasoning ability.

  Our Career Resource Center has test information for the GRE and MAT.

  Other exams include the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Be sure to check the entrance exam requirements of the specific program to which you are applying. Not all graduate programs require an entrance examination.

• Undergraduate Grades

  Graduate schools generally require a “B” average for acceptance. However, institutions differ in how this average is interpreted. Official undergraduate transcripts are required as part of the application package.