What does a graduate school application consist of?
By: Georgina Antwi-Boasiako
April 11, 2023
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Have you decided to pursue graduate school but have no idea what the admissions committees are looking for or where to begin?
The graduate school application process can be intimidating at first because it is a lot of effort. Even though it is a lot of work, it is well worth it when you receive your admission letter in the mail! It is a genuinely overwhelming sensation to know that your hard work has paid off. Based on my own experience as well as additional research, here is all you need to know about applying to graduate school. Okay, let's get right to it.
Okay, I lied, but I wanted to mention it because I believe it is significant. The very first thing you must do is select the appropriate program and university. Here are some points to consider:
Understand why you want to pursue the degree. It does not have to be profound, but you must understand and hang on to your why.
Conduct research and investigate all of the many types of degree programs available in your selected field of study, as well as the opportunities each can provide.
When selecting a program, keep your career aspirations in mind. If you are undecided, you could explore obtaining a broader degree, such as a Master of Business Administration.
Make sure the program fits your lifestyle, including the location, whether it is in-person, online, or a hybrid program, and so on.
Consider your budget, which includes the cost of the program, textbooks, and any hidden fees, such as transportation and student activity fees.
Scholarships, loans, grants, assistantships, and fellowships can all be used to pay for graduate education.
Finally, once you've decided on the program(s) for which you want to apply, speak with admissions advisors, current students, and alumni. The following are some questions you might ask current students:
Do you have enough academic and professional guidance?
Typically, how many graduate students are allocated to one advisor?
How would you characterize the interaction between students and faculty?
What do you wish you had known before you enrolled?
If you haven't determined which program(s) to apply to, stop reading (or continue), make your selection, and then return to finish this post. Otherwise, let's get started.
Know your application deadlines and requirements
Before beginning the graduate school application process, determine what information you will need and when the application is due. The application deadline for my program differed for local students, overseas students, and students interested in assistantships or fellowships.
Take 10-30 minutes, depending on the number of graduate programs you intend to apply to, to visit each program's website and jot down the application requirements and deadlines in your calendar or planner. Then, based on the dates for each program, plan when you will begin the application process. You should set up at least 2 hours every week to complete some of the tasks on the application.
When it came to graduate school, I only applied to one program. I began with the simplest things first, which were filling out my personal information and uploading my résumé. I then proceeded to finish my interview and essays.
Most frequent application checklist (may vary from program to program):
Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
I did not take this because it was optional for my program, but like I mentioned above, make sure you visit your program's website and write down all of their criteria. Make sure you know which standardized test to take because some require one over the other, others require either one, and some make it optional.
Letters of Recommendation
Most graduate programs require at least three letters of recommendation. I submitted three letters of recommendation: two from undergraduate professors and one from my work manager/mentor. It is preferable to request letters of recommendation at least a month before you want to submit your application. Make sure to give them a deadline for their letters (hopefully after you ask if they can write one for you) and to follow up 2 weeks and 1 week before the deadline.
Selecting the appropriate people to write letters of recommendation for you can propel your graduate school application to the top of the "accepted" list. Make sure they are people who can speak about how you are as a student, such as your previous professors, and if you are in the workforce, ask for one manager who can speak about how you are as a team member when applying. A sample email to ask for letters of recommendation can be seen at the bottom of this post. For undergraduate students, request this in person by scheduling a meeting with them and informing them of the purpose of the meeting. For professionals in the workforce, you may have to ask for it via email.
Statement of Purpose
This is known as an application essay or a personal statement, but it is the same thing. It's a written statement in which you can explain who you are, what you want to do with your career, and why you want to study the subject you've chosen at their university. Also, if there is an optional essay that you can submit, please do so. Use that as an opportunity to discuss something you didn't cover in your main essay.
Official Transcript(s)
I didn't have to do this because I obtained my undergraduate degree from the same university, but make sure to send the request in a month before your application deadline.
Fill Out Your Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Fill it out regardless of whether you are currently employed or not. This is free money that you simply cannot pass up. Filling it out and not receiving anything is preferable than not filling it out and wondering if you would have received something. According to my research, around 58% of graduate students (2017-2018 school year) received some type of financial assistance. I recommend that you complete this as soon as you have decided on the programs you wish to apply to. The earlier you submit your application, the more financial aid you may be eligible for.
Interviews
There are numerous approaches that a university can take. My application was submitted online through Kira. Kira Talent Interview is an admissions assessment tool that academic admissions departments uses to evaluate and enroll individuals. It took around 30 minutes to complete the interview, and I was able to practice beforehand to ensure that my microphone, video, and other features were all operating properly. You may be required to conduct your interview in person or online, depending on the program you select.
My final two cents
Most graduate school programs require a GPA of 3.0, however this does not mean you cannot apply or will not be admitted. Many other variables come into play, such as your letters of recommendation, interview, essays, résumé (CV if applicable), and GRE/GMAT score (if you submit one).
If you are an undergraduate student reading this post and intend to apply to graduate school, keep your cumulative GPA at 3.0 or higher to eliminate that worry when the time comes. Because you will need at least two letters of recommendation from your professors, developing that relationship now will make it easier later.
If you are a professional, such as myself, and are considering applying to graduate school, highlight your experience and accomplishments over the years in your essay and resume.
Sample of asking for letter of recommendation [Professionals]:
Dear Professor [insert full name],
I hope everything is good with you. My name is [insert full name], and I am a former student of yours from [Insert Year] in [Name of Course You Took]. I'm writing to ask whether you would be willing to write a recommendation letter for me. I [insert anything positive about their class] and believe you are the best person to capture my characteristics as a student.
I appreciate you taking the time to evaluate my request. You can find an updated version of my résumé attached. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any additional information.
Thank you for your consideration.
[Your name]
*Once they respond that they will be able to write you one, include the deadline in your next email to them. Give them at least one month's notice.*
Sample of asking for letter of recommendation [Current Undergraduate Students]:
Dear Professor [full name],
I hope everything is going well for you. My name is [insert full name] and I am currently enrolled in your [insert course name and meeting time]. I am applying to graduate school at [insert university name] in [insert graduate program name here].
I was wondering if I might speak with you during your office hours about writing a letter of recommendation for the program on my behalf.
Please let me know if you are available to meet with me and if there are any materials or documents I can bring with me. Thank you for your time, and I eagerly await your response.
Best regards,
[Your name]
As always, if you ever have questions or comments, please Contact Me. If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it and follow my Instagram page to get notified of future posts! Thank you very much and I'll see you in the next post!
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