Getting Into Grad School

By Nancy Mucciarone, Syracuse University

As graduation looms, millions of college students are scrambling to get into grad school. Whether you’ve chosen an undergraduate major that requires a higher degree, have decided you’d prefer a degree in another area, or ... ahem ... want to delay getting into the workforce, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about applying to grad school. (And if you don’t get in the first time, no worries! We also tell you how to up your chances of acceptance next time around.)

Step No. 1: Find an adviser.
Most schools offer graduate or law school advisors to help students with the application process, so find someone who can help you develop an action plan, says Laura Zuppo, executive director of the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning at Stetson University College of Law. As you go through the application process, keep in contact with your adviser so you can be sure you’re staying on track.

Step No. 2: Do your research.
Go online and look at various programs and schools to determine which ones best coincide with your professional goals. Make sure you check out programs in a variety of related fields as well, advises Dr. Mariangela Maguire, associate director of the Center for High Achievement and Scholarly Engagement at Butler University. This will help expand your options for potential schools.

Step No. 3: Make a list.
Dr. Maguire suggests choosing three to five specific programs you’re interested in and making a list of the specific admissions requirements, including undergraduate GPA, GRE, GMAT or LSAT scores, and required undergraduate courses. Just like when applying for undergraduate schools, it may be a good idea to add a few safety schools to the list as well, so you have a better chance of getting accepted somewhere. Next, check out the application process, being sure to make note of deadlines, personal statements, letters of recommendation and transcripts.

Step No. 4: Complete the application.
“Make a calendar of deadlines that includes when you’ll take required exams, whom you requested letters of recommendation from and when they’re due, when you requested transcripts and when they’re due, and when the completed application is due,” says Dr. Maguire. This will ensure that everything is finished on time. Then, take a look at each part of the application individually:

Personal Statement or Essay Zuppo recommends making your personal statement specific for each school you’re applying to -- don’t just write a generic essay and swap out the school name. Schools often ask questions in a slightly different way, so it will be obvious that you didn’t put the time in to make each essay great.

Standardized Tests Graduate school tests are similar to the SAT, but typically weigh heavily when schools are deciding on admission. “Don’t take it lightly or think you can just see how you do,” says Zuppo. “That never works in the candidate’s favor.” Prepare for the test by studying vocabulary, brushing up on your math skills and enlisting a tutor if necessary.

Letters of Recommendation Professors and internship supervisors are typically busy and may have to write recommendations for lots of students, so ask for a letter early on. Be sure to choose people who will only have the best things to say about you -- admission is competitive, and any negative statements could be a huge setback.

Transcripts Double-check to make sure your undergraduate school sent your transcripts to all the graduate schools for which you’re applying. If you had one bad semester, Zuppo recommends asking the school if you can submit an amendment to your application explaining the grades.

Backup Plan: If You Get Rejected …
First, don’t panic. Graduate schools are much more selective than undergraduate schools, and there are only so many seats available. Plenty of students don’t get into graduate school the first time around, but you can spend your time off wisely by making sure that you get an acceptance letter next time.

Talk it out. Many schools let a denied candidate talk with a counselor to see what areas they can improve on for a future application, says Zuppo, so call and make an appointment to meet with someone. Keep what is said in mind for the next time you apply, and make any necessary changes the following year.

Study more. If your test scores are the issue, practice and prepare during your time off from school to ensure better performance down the road.

Be realistic. Zuppo says to reevaluate which schools you chose. If your credentials aren’t up to par, it may be a good idea to consider some other schools.

Gain more experience. Some schools require you to list out any relevant research you’ve done or internships you’ve had, so try to bulk up that portion of your application. Contact professors at a local school to see if you can help them with anything, and apply to work as an intern at any relevant positions you can find.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/vm