Getting Into Grad School 101
Reported By: Sierra Reisman
Illustrated By: Addie Patterson
It’s that time of year again as college acceptance season is upon us. Maybe you’re sighing with relief because GFU is your last educational stop, and you’ll never go through application season again. But maybe, you’re a junior or a senior, and postponing adulthood is starting to look extremely promising. What better solution than applying to grad programs? (For legal reasons, this is a joke. There are cheaper ways to kill time.)
As a graduating senior who has completed the graduate program application process, there are plenty of lessons I learned and pieces of advice I received to make the application process smoother and maximize chances of success.
Organize and consolidate.
Unlike undergrad, where you could apply to most schools through a centralized program like the Common App, many graduate programs will require you to apply to each school individually. This makes organization crucial. For me, the solution was creating a spreadsheet into which I consolidated all my application materials for every school, all my login info and helpful links, and all important deadlines. Having all relevant information and resources in one place made the organization process much less of a headache and saved valuable time.
2. It’s never too early to start.
The grad school application process can be grueling, so save yourself the pain by not leaving anything to the last minute. If nothing else, start the research process as soon as possible, so when applications open you already have a game plan. A rushed application could be the difference between acceptance and rejection, so it’s incredibly important to give yourself adequate time to review your application materials, gather your recommendations, take any necessary exams, and edit your personal statements.
3. All about personal statements:
Writing a personal statement is one of the most challenging parts of the graduate school application process. Program requirements for personal statements may vary widely, but in general, one of the best pieces of advice I received was this: start your essay as though your reviewer won’t get past your first paragraph. Depending on the program, yours might be the thousandth application someone reads. Make sure you open your essay with an impactful explanation of who you are and what you want to achieve. Keep the rest of your essay concise, and don’t forget to include as much specific detail as possible about why this school is the right fit for you.
4. Pursue application fee waivers.
Some programs charge exorbitant fees just to apply, and often the path to a fee waiver isn’t well advertised. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for a need-based waiver, it never hurts to inquire into all your options. A little extra research could end up saving you a lot of money.
5. Bonus tip! Create a new email address just for your grad school applications. The process will generate atrocious amounts of spam you don’t want clogging up your personal inbox.
Applying for graduate school can be a long and difficult process, so don’t be surprised if you feel like you’ve just run a marathon after you submit that last application. Approaching the application process with organization and strategy can make all the difference. Remember to rest and take breaks. And one last friendly reminder, even though it may feel like it at times, the fate of the universe doesn’t actually rest on your grad school decision results.