Applying to Graduate School

So you have decided graduate school is right for you and you have taken your standardized test. Now it is time to prepare your application. Most applications require prospective students to obtain 2-3 letters of recommendation, provide standardized testing scores and submit a personal statement. Some schools may even require applicants to send a letter of intent, and participate in an extensive interview process. Each element of your application will help tell the story of who you are, and how you will contribute to the program. The articles in this section may help you fine tune your essay writing skills, appropriately present yourself during interviews, obtain respectable letters of recommendation, and avoid common application mistakes to help you present your story to the admissions committee in a powerful and meaningful manner.

Essay Writing

With your sights set on graduate school, get ready for writing to become a major part of your routine. From the application process through your post-academic career, writing is an essential skill which, if practiced correctly, can give you an advantage over less well-written applicants. These articles will teach you about writing personal statements, letters of intent, thank you letters, editing and proofreading essays, and even offers free writing exercises for curing writers block. Not sure what to write about? Check out our video on choosing a scholarly essay topic. Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to writing your essay introduction.

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Graduate School Interview

Many graduate programs require an interview as part of the application process. For some, this may cause anxiety, but for the prepared applicant it is a chance to show off. In this section, you can prepare by reading common graduate school questions and tips to help excel in the interview. Then take our short quiz to find out if you’re ready for your admissions interview. If you are, then continue preparing until it starts with our 24 hour countdown tips on impressing the admissions committee in an interview.

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How to Apply to Grad School

Resources On How to Apply to Grad School

The process of applying to a graduate program begins with developing an understanding of the graduate admissions process. You need to understand how your application will be measured against programs standards as well as how you are likely to compare to other applicants to the program. At this point in the process you will have to make final decisions on the types of programs you will apply to, which degree you want to pursue, and what actions you must take in order to enhance your chances of getting into your favorite graduate programs. In this section, gain insight into how the application process works and learn helpful tips and hints that may help you better manage the application process and present yourself as a viable and desirable candidate to an admissions committee.

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Recommendation Letters

Recommendation letters are a key piece of your graduate school application. They are the only element of an application that helps admissions committees gain an understanding of how others perceive your talents and abilities. Your essay, transcripts, and GRE scores show graduate schools why you think you’re the perfect student and your letters of recommendation affirm those reasons. Selecting an appropriate recommender who knows you personally and will endorse your talents in a positive light may mean the difference between acceptance and rejection. These articles will teach you where to look for the best recommendations, the appropriate way to ask for a letter of recommendation, and the materials you can provide your recommenders to help them compose a compelling testimony to your skills and talents.

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Waiting for Acceptance

Once your applications are sent and your application fees are paid, the time you spend waiting for a response from a graduate admissions committee can feel like an eternity. Wondering what to do now? This collection of articles will teach you how to stay sane while productively waiting to find out if you were accepted. Find out some ways you can take advantage of the time between applying to and starting a graduate program, and find out some possible solutions help you manage multiple acceptances or respond to being denied admission.

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