Understand Your Field of Interest
To become a successful graduate school applicant, you need to have a solid grasp of what your field is looking for.
Are you applying to a field that expects candidates to have work experience, or one that anticipates students entering directly from undergraduate studies? Should you invest time in laboratory teaching or research?
First, you’ll know what to highlight in your application. Second, you’ll be able to identify any additional experiences you should pursue to strengthen your candidacy. (If it seems you have many gaps to fill, now might not be the right time to apply.)
Research Post-Graduation Prospects
Though you may not want to start thinking about what happens after graduate school, this question could be the most critical when deciding whether to return to academia for your master’s—research what you can do with your degree upon graduation.
Some fields are obvious: law, business, and medical schools attract so many applicants precisely because they offer solid guarantees of post-graduation employment. A PhD often leads to an academic position (though the number of academic jobs is shrinking relative to the growing pool of doctoral candidates).
In other fields, career prospects are less clear-cut: a Master of Fine Arts in fiction writing or a Master’s in Art History promises intellectual enrichment, but the tangible payoffs may be limited.
Similarly, you can decide on a major based on post-graduation salary: 2018-2019 College Salary Report: Which Majors Yield the Highest Earnings?
Manage the Time Required for Applications
Application timelines for graduate school vary. Most doctoral programs have deadlines in December or January, while master’s programs often have deadlines in January, February, or March. Whichever track you choose, you’ll likely need more than a few months to assemble your application materials:
- Take the GRE/GMAT/TOEFL exams
- Solicit recommendations from professors
- Write your personal statement
- Research graduate schools
- Decide where to apply
……
If you decide to pull everything together in November, you may be able to scramble through, but you’ll feel much more satisfied with your application package if you start preparing in August or September.
Present a Cohesive Application Narrative
Your application should clearly articulate who you are and why you are applying to graduate school. Consider how each component demonstrates what you bring to the table and how the graduate program will help you achieve your goals.
How does each part work together? Do they present a clear, consistent picture of you and your objectives?
Showcase Your Personality and Professionalism
Unique achievements are great, and you should certainly highlight them. However, adding a touch of personality to your application can also add color and make you appear more well-rounded. To this end, you can mention your hobbies, interests, and non-academic accomplishments.
That said, you also want to come across as professional. Mentioning that you build cars in your spare time is wonderful; highlighting your skill as an amateur street racer is not such a good idea.
You should also be careful with humor. A slightly amusing anecdote can work well; relying on a joke that makes fun of someone or something is not a wise move. If the person reading your letter doesn’t share your sense of humor, it could make you appear impolite.
Highlight Your Passion
Above all, your application needs to convey genuine enthusiasm. If you come across as lukewarm or uncertain about graduate school, the admissions committee will not be particularly motivated to offer you a spot.
You need to show the admissions office that you are truly passionate about the institution, the program, and the field, and that you will be driven to work hard to achieve your goals.
- Understand industry/field needs
- Research post-graduation prospects
- Manage the time required for applications
- Maintain the overall integrity of your application
- Showcase your personality and professionalism
- Highlight your interests and passion
Be sure to keep these six key principles in mind throughout the graduate school application process, and you will definitely stand out!
