15 Tips for Applying to Grad School

Hello everyone, I am a senior in college. Part of being a senior in college for me, is applying for grad schools. I have spent many an hour these days scouring different grad school websites, making spreadsheets, and writing personal statements. Throughout this time, I have received a lot of advice about all of the parts of the application process. This blog is me relaying that advice to you. 

Getting organized:  

1. Make your own due dates

Lots of schools have due dates in December and January, but it has been recommended to me to turn things in earlier than that, because often, many of the schools have rolling admissions, and limited spots in their programs, so you want to get your name in there as soon as you can.  

2. Apply to a lot of programs

The number I have heard to shoot for is 8-10 schools. I don’t know if I’ll quite make it to 8-10 different schools, but I do think it is a good idea to apply to at least five schools. This doesn’t just allow you to have options if/when you get accepted into these schools, but it also allows you the opportunity to get to know and compare lots of different kinds of programs.  

3. Don’t be afraid to apply to a few different types of programs 

It's okay to apply to different programs. If you feel like you know exactly what you’re looking for in a program, then that’s great, you can stick with one type, but if you’re wanting to explore a few options out there, you don’t have to feel bad about that. It’s all a learning process.  
 

Letters of recommendation: 

4. Ask for your letters of recommendation way in advance 

It seems like when you give people ample time to respond, they will respond more positively to you asking them for a recommendation. Some have told me they need at least six weeks to respond, and some have been able to get back to me within one week. Regardless of how long it takes them, it is a courteous thing to give your recommenders time to think about stuff. 

5. Give your recommenders some background about the program. 

I think you just gotta do all you can to be able to set your recommenders up for success. This means, letting them know what you’re specifically interested in about this program, and maybe the specific program of study you’re going into. You can also give a little info about the program’s mission statement and values, that way, they can get the opportunity to look at the website and speak to the way your actions align with those things. 

Application fees: 
6. See if you can get fee waivers 

Those application fees can be pretty intimidating, and if you are applying for several programs all with application fees upwards of like 60 dollars (and that’s on the cheaper end), things can add up very quickly. Most program applications offer fee waivers through different scholarships or you can just apply for fee waivers. The worst they can do is say no, and every little bit helps when you’re putting yourself in a position to be destitute for a few years.  

 
 Resumes: 

7. Look over specific resume guidelines for your program 

For all of the programs I have looked into, the resume guidelines have been slightly different. Make sure you’re adhering to their rules, and maybe look over the specific school’s values and rules, so that you can make your stuff align with what they're looking for.   

Essay questions/personal statements: 

8. Be mindful but don’t overthink 

This is a next step in life, but remember you are a whole complex person with a lot of thoughts and feelings and probably potential career paths inside of you. This is one way your life might go, and usually in your personal statement, you have to really sell yourself to the program, but remember, you are complex and cool and capable of a lot. If you don’t make it here, you’ll make it somewhere.  

 
9. Use keywords 

I have been told from a person that went to a bigger grad school, that sometimes, bigger grad schools look at your keywords before they look over the deeper content of your personal statements. This means, that you want to have keywords in your personal statement and essay questions that align with what the university likes. A good way to see keywords they are fond of, is by taking a gander at the school’s mission statement and values and literally using words from there in your own responses. This is not sneaky or connive-y, it is just the way things get evaluated these days. 

Extenuating opportunities/events: 

10.See if you can talk to a real person who has gone through the program.  

 Oftentimes, there are zoom meetings and opportunities to meet with admissions counselors, or even people who are currently in the program. Talk to real people! They are nice and can be real with you, and usually can give you the general vibes of the programs. 

11.Go to the interviews 

Some schools require interview days for admission to their programs, and I would say, go to these! Even if they are scary! They are super good experiences and they can give you exposure to the program and help you learn stuff. I was also told that it is helpful to get a little treat after the interview. Hehe. 

12. Go to events or visit

The schools you are looking at will most likely host events you can attend. These might look like talks from speakers who have gradauted from the programs, question and answer sessions, and sometimes they might even offer a class you can sit in on. These events can provide you with more insight into the programs, networking opportunites, and they give the school the impression that you are committed. All good things! 

Financial Aid: 

13. Be up front about financial aid/paying for school 

Sometimes, schools can be pretty sneaky about how much financial aid they offer. Do not be afraid to ask questions about cost and what scholarships/assistantships schools offter to offest that cost. Some schools have scholarship programs that you apply for as you’re applying to the school, and some have things that are only accessible after you apply. Some don't offer scholarships at all. You don't know until you ask! 

14. Get an idea of how much your future job will pay and be willing to pay for school accordingly  

Grad school is sometimes just expensive and that is all there is to it. But it is possible to make an informed decision about how much debt you’re going to be in once you have a real job, and how much the salary of your real job will help you to offset those costs. You can calculate this by literally searching how much the job you’re wanting after graduation pays and then choosing how much you want to pay for grad school as a result of that. 

General vibes:  

15. You will end up where you are supposed to end up 

In different times when I have talked to people about how I worry about my future, the most helpful and grounding advice I have received is that God will put you where you are supposed to end up. I choose to believe that this is true! You’ll be okay, and God will be with you wherever you go. If that’s the case, you really can’t lose :)