Get into Graduate School
Career ID Code
If you plan to go to graduate school, be sure to give yourself time to prepare in advance of deadlines. The time frame for applying is usually a year in advance. Check with your graduate schools of interest to make sure you are meeting all deadlines. In some cases, you may need to begin the application process at least two years in advance. Most deadlines for the fall’s entering class are between January and March.
First Steps (Summer before Senior Year) 1. Gather information: Talk to professors, co-workers, employers, and friends. Consult our website www.uncg.edu/csc/students/getintogradschool, in addition, other guides like Petersons.com, USnews.com, Grad Schools.com. For graduate programs at UNCG go to www.grs.uncg.edu. 2. Identify individuals whom you are likely to ask to write letters of recommendation for you. Make sure that they are aware of your work and your plans. 3. Prepare a resume or a vita which you can include with your graduate school application and that you can give to your references. (Never presume that even your closest professors really know your background and skills!) 4. Visit the individual school websites in which you are interested. Make note of what deadlines you have to meet. Ask for information regarding financial aid and the application process. Often the deadline for financial aid is much earlier than the deadline for admission. 5. Make plans to take all standardized tests that will be required of you. Find out when the tests are administered and register. Be sure that you have scheduled a testing date that will allow ample time for your scores to be reported before application deadlines. Contact UNCG’s Counseling and Testing Center located in the Gove Building (336-334-4156) for information regarding test registration. 6. Visit schools in which you are interested, if possible. If you have submitted an application, write an email to the department’s graduate admissions asking to make an appointment and to meet any other professors in whom you are interested. If you have not yet submitted an application, include information about yourself in your email and enclose a resume. 7. Investigate national and other special scholarship or fellowship programs for which you might qualify.
Application Process (Fall of Senior Year) 1. Take required standardized tests and report scores to all schools to which you are applying in advance of the deadline. 2. Know the application deadline for admission, with consideration for financial aid for each institution to which you are applying. File all financial statements in support of a request for financial aid. 3. Complete applications as early as possible. Be sure to do the following: Personally talk to your references about your plans so they know why you are applying and what they need to do. Provide each with a resume or personal statement. Consolidate your schools requests and give them all at the same time your reference. Make it as simple as possible for them to complete. Request a recommendation at least a month in advance of deadlines. Don’t be bashful about checking that they submitted it–ultimately, it is your responsibility if a letter fails to meet the deadline. Arrange for your transcripts to be sent well in advance of the deadline. Submit your application well in advance of the deadline. 4. Prepare to write a personal statement or statement of purpose, as requested by schools you choose.
Tips Organize your effort: make a chart and list the schools to which you are applying, their deadlines, and various materials each require. Work towards the earliest deadline and complete all tasks at each stage for all schools at one time—prepare and submit applications at one time and request transcripts for all schools at one time. By organizing the application process in this way, you will know where you stand which each school. In advance of the deadline, contact the Graduate School to see that they have received everything. Keep copies of your application materials for yourself, including your check for the processing fee. Do not hesitate to telephone the admission’s offices to ask questions or clarify points.
Standardized Examinations GRE - General Record Examination GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test PRAXIS - Teacher Certification Examination LSAT - Law School Admission Test
DAT - Dental Admission Test MCAT - Medical College Admission Test VCAT - Veterinary College Admission Test MAT - Miller Analogies Test
Admissions Decisions Usually a student’s GPA, test scores, essay, related experiences, and letters of recommendation are the primary factors considered by admissions committees. The appropriateness of the undergraduate degree, impressions from an interview, and evidence of creative talent may also be taken into account. Normally the student’s total record is examined closely, but the weight assigned to specific factors fluctuates from program to program. Check with each school for details from admissions counselors on their requirements and how they make their decisions.
Questions to Ask Yourself When Selecting a Graduate School • • • • • • • • •
What is the emphasis of the program? Strengths? Weaknesses? Research interests of the faculty? What specializations exist within your general field of interest? Does the program offer field experience, teaching, research projects, or opportunities to publish? How competitive for enrollment? What is the placement record of the department? What do their alumni do? How long does it take to complete the program? How large is the department? Will you receive proper attention? Where is the school located? Residency requirements? What are the total costs? What sort of financial aid is offered?
Application Essays & Personal Statements Writing an application essay, or personal statement, is often the most difficult part of the application process. Requirements vary widely in this regard. Some programs request only one or two paragraphs about why you want to pursue graduate study, your strengths and weaknesses related to your chosen program, your greatest achievements, and/or your solutions to hypothetical problems. Other programs require several lengthy essays. The essay is essentially a statement of your ideas and goals. It usually includes a certain amount of personal history, but unless an institution specifically requests autobiographical information, you do not have to supply any. Even when the requirement is a “personal statement,” the possibilities are almost unlimited. There is no set formula to follow. Your aim should be clear, succinct statements showing your definite sense of what you want to do and enthusiasm for the field you have chosen. Your essay should reflect your focus and depth of thinking and your writing ability. Before writing anything, stop and consider what your reader might be looking for. Admissions committees may be trying to evaluate a number of things from your statement, including the following things about you: • Motivation and commitment to a field of study • Immediate and long-term goals • Expectations with regard to the program • Reason for deciding to pursue graduate education • Writing ability in a particular field and at a particular institution • Major areas of interest • Maturity • Research and /or work experience • Personal uniqueness–what you would add to the • Educational background diversity of the entering class Work to edit your essay with a career team member, your recommenders, and the UNCG Speaking Center before submitting it.
Updated 6-2014