It’s not as scary as it sounds!
Recently, I have found myself about to begin the last two semesters of my master’s program. It’s wild to think I’m more than half way there (my program is technically two and a half years). Junior/senior year of undergraduate I decided that my schooling was definitely not over and if I wanted to attain any of the goals in my head, I needed to go to graduate school. I decided at the last minute on a program and while it is going to be a critical tool of mine in every professional endeavor in the near future, I will be entering a career field slightly different than my masters (hopefully). It’s nothing major, but my assistantship I am currently in has shown me what I’m passionate about: career services in higher education.
With all that being said, navigating the graduate school process can be a little tricky and honestly for each program it can look slightly different. From my experience working in career services in higher education where we work with students everyday who want to pursue graduate, medical, law, etc. school and from my own personal experience of applying to graduate school: I have six helpful tips. Or at least I consider them helpful.
- DO. YOUR. RESEARCH.
This one seems like a no brainer, but you wouldn’t believe how many times what someone told me didn’t match up with the real application process or some other aspect. Different schools request different credentials for their programs and you have to read and do your research especially when you’re going to apply to these schools! For example, your GRE test score can be super important for some graduate level programs, however, for my specific program I am in now, you only had to take the GRE test, there was no “particular” score needed. Now do I know exactly if the admissions department looked at my GRE score or not (because I did have to submit it as proof)? I do not. But, as a result, research every aspect of the process! From the personal statement to the requirements of each school to the application fees: do your research!
2. Have a well written personal statement
I cannot stress this one enough: do not save this one for last and spend time on it!! If you are new to the graduate school world, personal statements are your personal glimpse to the admissions department about why you want them and why they should want you (in short).Many students use personal narratives or experiences they’ve had to sum up these feelings. When writing this, ask for help! Visit your career center and have multiple individuals review it, not just your parents. It never hurts to have a fresh pair of eyes, especially one who has been through the process before (professors, faculty, career center staff).
3. Take your resume seriously
Remember all of those clubs you participated in during undergraduate? Or jobs or internships anything professional! Add these to your resume and have your resume reviewed at your college’s career center. They can help you out with formatting and how to properly describe the activities you were involved in on your resume. Be sure your name is at the top and in larger font than the rest of the resume (your contact information should be included as well). Additionally, highlight your educational or professional experiences that you can really showcase. A tip of mine is if you can talk about it, it should be on your resume.
4. STUDY for the Standardized Tests
Tests suck. Trust me, I get it. However, you can’t slack on this one. Whether it be the GRE, LSAT, GMAT, or some other standardized test, study and be prepared! For most students, these tests are a lot different than tests you take during your undergraduate years and studying for this test specifically is a must. Invest in this! You may need to ask around your campus to figure out which is the best deals but invest in a prep course or other prep materials. They really do help!
*I have two free resources for my GRE peeps that helped me during this time:
- Magoosh – an app that helps with vocabulary which is a major part of the english section of the GRE test, has flashcards and quizzes, etc.
- Khan Academy – a website that allows you to polish up on many different aspects of math that are included in the GRE test (i.e. geometry)
5. Visit your career center!
Maybe I’m biased because I do work at my university’s Career Center, but you should visit yours! These centers are a wealth of information that most students don’t realize resides right on their campus. They can help with professional development opportunities, experiential experiences, resume and personal statement help, and other career development or planning tools. Don’t let the word career make you think that graduate school isn’t also implied! Graduate school is part of your professional journey and your career, career centers can provide a lot of help during the application process.
6. Breathe
The graduate school application journey is slow and complex but don’t let it get to you! Things will work out. If a gap year seems like the only option before hand, don’t fret. This is an amazing opportunity to build your resume. Dive into the professional world of work and build your skills and credentials while preparing for graduate school. Take this chance to network and meet other professionals. Find a mentor! There is so much to do that can benefit you personally and professionally. You just have to get out there and explore.
