Top Ten Tips for Applying to Graduate School
Written by a successful graduate student- Kristen
Frese, Career Advisor for University Career Center @ BSOS!
Many BSOS majors pursue an advanced degree in their field
upon graduation. Graduate school can be a great opportunity that can sometimes expand
career possibilities, but it is also a big investment of time, hard work, and
money! If you’re considering a graduate degree, stay tuned for our 10 tips for applying to graduate school and check out
our timeline
for applying to graduate school to stay on track!
Want to get started
today? Check out our resources HERE!
10.
Planning for the unexpected- Ten things to do if you don’t
get in to graduate school
Sometimes things don’t work out
the way we plan, so have a parallel plan in place for May just in case you get
waitlisted or declined.
Ten Things
to Do if You Don’t Get In
Donald Asher shared the
tips below with a group of UMD students. He has some great suggestions to
implement for your next application round, if the first set of applications are
not successful. Mr. Asher is the bestselling author of “Graduate Admission
Essays” and is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on the graduate
admissions process.
1. Apply earlier (avoid the last
six weeks before the deadline).
2. Apply to more schools (six is
usually considered a prudent minimum: two schools that are likely to admit you,
two middle-of-the-road schools, and two reach schools).
3. Apply to more safe schools
(even 4.0 students can and do get rejected).
4. Visit and wow ‘em.
5. Go to summer school in the
targeted subject and wow ‘em (it’s easier to get into summer school, even at
Harvard).
6. Take one class at a time in
the targeted subject and wow ‘em (remember: your most recent grades count the
most).
7. Get volunteer or internship
experiences in the targeted field (even part-time, even unpaid).
8. Work in a “real job” in the
targeted field (there’s no substitute for actual experience and recommendations
from supervisors in the profession).
9. Get an intermediate degree
(such as a master’s or even just a credential).
10. Get older and try again (many
times, that’s all it takes).
Don’t forget that the best time
to apply is early in the fall to start graduate school the following fall, so
be sure to plan ahead!
9. The final decision-
Say “yes” to the right program!
It’s an
exciting yet nerve-wracking time once your acceptance letters (or emails) start
rolling in. If you are accepted to multiple programs, you’ll have to choose which program is best for you
and your needs.
Consider the
following factors when choosing which program to attend:
·
Funding:
Money is usually the most stressful aspect after you receive the ACCEPTANCE
letter. Compare funding opportunities at each of the programs you are
considering attending. Some students find they have to accept before securing
funding because of the timeline of graduate assistantships interviews (don’t
worry, this is normal and it usually works out!), while other students (i.e. in
PhD programs) can use the uncertainty of funding as a point of negotiation with
their advising faculty member to negotiate an offer.
·
Opportunities:
What opportunities does each program provide? One program may set up an
internship for you each year or allow you to do research with an esteemed
faculty member.
·
Good fit:
Do you fit in with the culture of the program? This can include several
important factors, including the methodology the program utilizes, the
interests and research projects of the faculty members, and a good relationship
with the professor who would be your advisor. It also includes smaller, but
still important, characteristics. Can you see yourself living in the town for
several years? Do you get along with the current students? Grad school is a big
commitment, so make sure that you would be happy, comfortable and successful at
whichever program you choose!
·
Request
feedback: Remember those professionals and/or professors who wrote your
recommendation letters? Now is the perfect time to share your great news with
them, while also asking for their feedback if you are struggling between two or
more acceptance letters.
·
Waitlisted:
Deciding between an offer or waiting to be called from the waitlist can be
tricky. If you need more time beyond the established acceptance decision date,
contact the admission office and explain the issue; they might give you a
couple more weeks to make a decision.
8. Money matters- Can graduate school be free?
Graduate schools offer many
different types of funding, but each school is different in how much money they
have available and how they distribute it. Examine what types of funding each
program offers, how challenging it is to obtain funding, and what percentage of
students are able to obtain funding (i.e. these are great questions to ask
during the school visit).
·
Now that you are applying to a program to land a
particular position, research the average
salary for that position
to ensure the costs and benefits of graduate school makes sense for you.
·
Loans are
the most common and easily accessible form of funding
for graduate school, but keep in mind that you’ll have to pay this money
back.
·
Some schools offer graduate assistantships – positions where grad students work for
the university in exchange for tuition remission and a stipend. These positions
could be research, teaching, or administrative assistantships and are a
terrific way to gain some skills, work on campus, and save a lot of money! Some
universities have lots of GA positions while others have very few or none. For
example, the University of Maryland has many GA positions available throughout
the year, while smaller universities may have only a few. Look for this
information online or ask during your interview!
·
Review more types
of funding usually offered by the university, the federal government, and
the private sector.
Additional resources
7. Preparing for graduate
school interviews - Be professional, be personable, and be YOU.
Don’t stress – not all programs require an interview – but
review the tips below just in case. The interview allows the faculty to see if
you are a good fit for the program, and you get to see if the program is a good
fit for YOU. With a little preparation we know you can ace your
interview!
Before the Interview:
·
Research
each school/program you apply to and know what they are looking for
(examine their mission statement, program concentrations, etc.).
·
Know
yourself and be able to discuss your skills, experiences, values,
motivations, etc. Create your 30-second
commercial and practice
sharing all of your amazing accomplishments.
·
Be
knowledgeable in current trends in the field (i.e. for medical
school you might be asked about ethical standards or current medical issues).
·
Buy a suit or professional dress clothes.
Even if it’s a phone interview, dressing professionally will make you feel more
prepared.
·
Plan your
budget! Interviewing in person at the schools that truly interest you will
give you a leg up, but airline and hotel fees can add up, so make sure you have
room in your budget.
During the Interview
·
Avoid talking about negatives and always present
yourself in a positive light.
·
It is OK to say you do not know something.
·
Keep interview answers under two minutes to
ensure you keep the interviewer’s attention. The interviewer will ask follow-up
questions if they are interested in learning more.
·
Remember: interviewers are also trying to
impress you. Your decision is just as important as theirs!
After the Interview
·
Send
everyone you came into contact with a follow-up email thanking them for their
time during your visit and again express why you would be a perfect fit for the
program.
·
Update
your recommenders on your progress and thank them again for writing the
recommendation letter.
·
Be
patient!
6.
The Application: How to request letters of recommendation.
When applying for jobs, employers often call your references
to make sure that you are a good candidate. Applying for graduate school is
very similar, but admission committees utilize letters of reference so they do
not have to contact each applicant’s references. Letters of recommendation
should come from respected professionals who can speak positively on your
behalf.
Who should I ask for
a recommendation letter?
·
Professors, lab supervisors or employers who
know you well and can articulate your talents (so form relationships
early!).
·
Some programs prefer letters from professionals
in your field. If you are applying to law school for example, consider asking
your Law & Society professor and maybe a lawyer you interned for to write
the reference letters.
How should I ask for
a recommendation letter?
·
Ask the recommender in person or through email
and explain that you have valued your experience with him or her and would like
to know if he/she would be available to write a positive recommendation letter
for you in the next couple of weeks.
·
Prepare a portfolio of information to give to
each recommender, including…
-
An overview of your experiences with the
recommender and/or a copy of your resume.
-
Your personal statement (a rough draft is fine).
-
The deadlines for each school (this is
important!). List a date that is a week or two before the actual date to ensure
all of the materials are submitted on time.
-
Instructions from the school’s website regarding
how references should submit their letters – online, mail, etc. You don’t want
to paraphrase the instructions and have them be incorrect, so it is best to
copy and paste them directly.
ALWAYS write a thank you letter for your recommenders after
the recommendation letters have been submitted!
Resources:
5. The Application: The art of the personal statement (sometimes
called statement of purpose).
The personal statement can be a
very daunting document, as many schools do not give you specific guidelines or
prompts. Simply put, a personal statement is a persuasive, professional essay
explaining why you would be an ideal candidate for the program and how your
interest in the field developed.
Get started today with the questions below.
·
How did
your interest develop in this area? Consider weaving your competencies and
skills into a story about how your interest developed in your field (i.e. “in
high school I was a peer mentor and I knew that social services was my calling
when I witnessed…”). What has influenced this interest over time (i.e.
professors, classes, labs, papers, research projects, or ideas)?
·
Do you
have a compelling story? Graduate schools seek to cultivate a diverse
student body. Research each program you apply to (i.e. by visiting, reviewing
their website and the program’s mission, etc.) and provide examples of your
research papers or out-of-the-classroom experiences that are related to what
they are seeking and highlight how special you are!
·
Why are
you interested in the program/school? Mention a couple of reasons why you
are targeting the program (i.e. did you visit the campus and learn something
interesting, did you speak with a professor, do they have access to a research
facility, has the program been noted in that industry, etc.).
·
What is
your overall career goal? Graduate schools like to see that you have a plan
after graduating from the program, because that makes you more likely to
complete the program. Consider including your plan towards the end of the essay
(example- “Ten years from now I hope to be an established immigration lawyer
working at a non-profit organization”).
Your personal statement allows the admissions committee to
get to know you – make sure it makes a good first impression! Here are some
tips:
·
Create a
draft TODAY, and step away from it for a week or so. The best personal
statements have depth, which usually comes through multiple drafts.
·
Spelling and grammar mistakes could make you
look careless, so make sure to proofread
your statement several times. Schedule an appointment with the Writing
Center or the University Career Center to receive feedback.
4.
The Application: Prepare your resume or CV.
Similar to applying for jobs, graduate programs will ask you
to include a resume (or CV if you are applying to a science or research based
program) with your application. Admissions committees briefly look at your
experiences out of the classroom to determine if you have the skills necessary
for success in their program. A strong resume is a great supplement to your
application, especially if you may be weaker in another aspect, such as test
scores or your GPA.
Resume/CV tips:
·
Highlight
experiences that demonstrate your interest in the graduate school area of
study (i.e. if you are applying to law school, include your legal internships
and volunteer experiences related to law).
·
Resumes
are reviewed quickly, so list your most relevant
experiences/skills/research experiences first and use customized headings.
Follow all resume application instructions carefully.
·
Include
out-of-the-classroom experiences. Graduate programs do not accept students
based on their skills like an employer would when hiring for a position, but
they look for qualities like leadership, resilience, ability to work in groups,
appreciation for diversity, etc. Your club, sports, Greek life, or volunteer
experiences, for example, could offer great examples of those qualities.
·
A
Curriculum Vitae (CV) should represent all of your college experiences
including: relevant research experience, teaching experience, publications,
relevant coursework, conference presentations, etc.
·
Request
feedback on your resume from faculty, professionals working in the field, UMD alumni mentors on Terrapins
Connect, who have completed a degree in your field of interest, and/or the University Career
Center. Remember, only take the advice that makes sense to you.
3. Ready to apply?
Narrow down your list of schools/programs!
Remember applying to college? If you do, you probably recall
the amount of time and money each application required. Graduate programs are
similar, but may have more expensive application fees and more in-depth
applications. Save time, money, and hassle by narrowing down your list of
prospective schools.
Here are some things to consider when examining a graduate
program:
·
Is the geographical region an issue or a perk?
·
Are there specific faculty you would like to
work with (i.e. conducting research interesting to you)?
·
Does the program have ethnically diverse
students? What is the male vs. female ratio?
“I have read about the programs online, but I am still not
sure. What else can I do?”
·
Schedule a short meeting with a faculty member
of interest (i.e. phone or in person), especially if you will be applying to a
research-based program. Sample
questions to ask.
·
Attend a regional graduate school fair. These
events offer access to many different programs and schools, so if you are
prepared with thoughtful questions, you can gain a lot of information.
-
Idealist Grad Fairs (www.idealist.org/info/GradFairs)
connect individuals with graduate schools in fields such as public
administration, international affairs, education, public policy, public
interest law, social work, nonprofit management, etc. (Free).
·
Locate professionals working in positions you
would like to have and review their education history. Research tools: join a professional
association and review the directory, review educational background on LinkedIn
profiles.
2.
Choose the best degree for your goals.
There are different types of
graduate school that you can consider, depending on your career aspirations and
which skills you hope to obtain. Below, you’ll find a brief descriptions of degree
options.
·
Master’s programs are typically 2-3 years and
are usually more focused on applied education. While some research is required
(such as a thesis), there will be less emphasis on designing and conducting
research than in a PhD program.
·
PhD programs are about 4-7 years and focus more
on research and academia. This is the highest degree attainable in most fields.
PhD programs are more likely to offer
funding. Keep an eye out for Tip 9!
·
Professional degrees, such as the Doctorate of
Medicine and the Juris Doctorate, take 2-5 years to obtain and focus on the
application of specific skills.
·
Read a more in-depth discussion here!
Another interesting discussion: Choosing
Between the PsyD and PhD Psychology Graduate Degrees
Academic
or
professional
doctorate
|
Traditional
master’s
|
Professional
master’s
|
Traditional
professional
|
PhD
|
MS, MA
|
MS, MA, MPH, MHA
|
MD, DDS, JD, MSW, Pharm.D., DMV
|
Research-based
|
Research-based
|
Practice-based, cross-disciplinary
|
Practice-based
|
4 to 7 years
|
2 to 3 years
|
1 to 3 years
|
3 to 5 years
|
Major research project with dissertation
|
Research with thesis or capstone
|
Research project or capstone
|
Clinical practitioner training
|
Still not sure about your options? Use the following
resources or UMD offices to learn more.
- The Pre-Law Professions
Advising Office can assist students interested in law school and
legal careers.
- The Reed-Yorke Health
Professionals Advising Office advises students on health-related
graduate school program admission.
- The University
Career Center meets with students individually to discuss
strategies for choosing, applying to, and evaluating graduate school
offers.
- Locate
UMD alumni who are willing to share their graduate school experiences with
you and offer tips regarding a variety of advanced degrees in the Terrapins Connect.
1.
Is grad school right for you?
Graduate programs can range from one to seven years, so make
sure that grad school is the right choice for you. Sometimes, students find it
most beneficial to go directly from undergrad, while others take a few years
off, gain work experience, and apply later on.
Consider the following questions to help determine if grad school is
right for you.
·
Does your dream position require a graduate
degree? Check out the Occupational
Outlook Handbook for more information on education requirements for
particular job titles!
·
Should I take time off before applying to
graduate school?
Pros for
working first:
-
Land a full-time position with an employer who offers
to pay for graduate degrees. Here
are 15 organizations to get you started.
-
Try out your interests by working in your chosen
field first to ensure you want to pursue an advanced degree (and maybe meet
more professionals to write your recommendation letters).
Reasons for applying to graduate
school immediately:
-
You know that your career field requires a
masters or PhD (i.e. hearing and speech areas, counseling, therapy, medical
fields, etc.) AND you are certain that field is for you!
-
You have unlimited financial funds, or know that
there are available funding opportunities for your program, and you want to
continue learning (kudos to you!).
·
Are you prepared to apply this year? Many
graduate programs have December 1st deadlines, which means you’ll have to take
any required tests (i.e. GRE, LSAT, MCAT),
request transcripts,
complete applications, etc. by this date. Look at this timeline
to see if you are on track.
