Applying to Graduate School Webster University | Career Planning & Development Center

Application Requirements

Every graduate program has its own set of application requirements. Even if you apply to two graduate programs at the same university, there may be slightly different materials requested. Make sure that you are well aware of all requirements ahead of time and plan accordingly. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure that you submit all of the application components in an accurate and timely manner.

Common application components include:

• Personal statement
• Resume or CV
• Letters of recommendation or references
• Entrance exam
• Interviews
• Additional requirements

This guide will outline each of these components in the sections that follow.

Personal Statements

Many graduate school programs require applicants to submit a personal statement as part of the application process. Personal statements typically consist of questions related to how you became interested in a field, your professional goals, or aspects of your character and background that make you a qualified candidate. A personal statement may also be referred to as a letter of intent, statement of purpose, professional goal statement, or another name that represents a narrative essay. Some applications will ask for a single statement while others may ask a series of short essay questions that encompass similar information. Regardless of the name, be sure that you carefully follow any writing prompt specifications that are outlined by the graduate institution.

If there is no specific character, word, or page limit, 1-3 pages is fairly typical. Do not ever go over the specified limit, but make sure you are using the space allotted to you well. If the limit is 2 pages and you have only written half a page, it is unlikely that you have covered all the key information in enough detail.

When reviewing personal statements, readers are often looking to answer the following questions:

• Has the individual put in thought and effort to their application?
• Is the individual specifically interested in this particular program and if so, why?
• Will the individually be academically successful in this program and have they prepared enough to succeed?
• Have they shown a commitment to this career field through their research, work experience, volunteering, academics, etc.?
• Does the individual have professional goals that align with the program?

For assistance with personal statement writing, you can schedule an appointment with your career advisor at the Career Planning & Development Center or at the Writing Center within the Reeg Academic Resource Center. Additional personal statement resources include the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) and the University of Alberta Personal Statement Guidebook.

Resumes and CVs

Many graduate school programs require applicants to submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV). Resumes are 1 or 2 page documents while CVs are more comprehensive and academic focused documents. There will be less difference between a resume and CV for individuals with less experience than professionals who have more extensive experience.

Ensure that your application materials are reflective of the skills, experiences, and pieces of information that would highlight your likelihood for success in your field of study.

If applying to multiple programs, adjust your resume or CV with each application to accentuate skills and experiences relevant to that program. Meet with your career advisor for feedback on your resume or CV and strategies for crafting your document. Additionally, you can utilize the CPDC's online resources such as Guidelines for Resume Writing and Preparing a Curriculum Vitae (CV) for further information.

References and Letters of Recommendation

You may be asked to provide a list of references or one or more letters of recommendation as part of the application process for admittance to graduate school. When determining who to select as a reference or to write letters of recommendation, consider the following:

• Have you interacted with this individual over time?
• Has this individual had opportunity to observe your academic/professional growth?
• Would this individual be able to describe your academic/professional strengths?
• Would this individual be able to speak to your ability to succeed in your intended graduate program?

Common examples of references or sources of letters of recommendation include current or former instructors, advisers, or job/internship supervisors.

Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

Reach out to request letters of recommendation well in advance of the application deadline, leaving plenty of time (six weeks or more) for your prospective recommender to craft their letter. You should include information in your request to remind them of your relationship and your background, the deadline, and instructions for submission. It is also helpful to provide your resume/CV and personal statement so that they have information about the breadth of your skills and experience, some of which they might not have had the opportunity to observe.

Sample Request Letter

Dear Professor Gorlok:

I'm reaching out to share the exciting news that I am in the process of applying for graduate study in public policy. As part of the application process, I've been asked to submit letters of recommendation.

When enrolled in your American National Institutions, Comparative Politics, and Advanced Studies in International Politics courses, I believe you had an opportunity to evaluate my educational capabilities and could comment on my suitability to complete a graduate program in public policy. Would you be willing to write a strong recommendation letter on my behalf?

I'll be applying to four programs, so I've attached a document outlining the deadlines for each and instructions provided by each institution for submitting a letter. I've also attached my resume so that you can understand how my coursework pairs with my extra-curricular activities and work experience. If you're unable to write a recommendation, please let me know by September 1.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions. I very much appreciate your consideration and time.

Sincerely,

Avery Webster

Entrance Exams

Many graduate programs require entrance exams, and each school will have a deadline for when your test scores are due. Some programs list an exam as optional. It could be a way to strengthen an application for some candidates while others may decide that the exams are not necessary for them.

Plan to take the exam earlier than the school deadline because many exams can take between 4-6 weeks to return your scores.

You can find out when tests are offered on the individual entrance exam websites. Common exams requested are:

• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) and GRE Subject Tests: The most common graduate school exam used for entrance to a wide range of graduate school programs.
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Most often required for entrance to business school graduate programs.
• LSAT (Law School Admission Test): This exam is used primarily for admittance to law school.
• MCAT (Medical College Admission Test): Generally required for applications to medical school and other health related occupations.

Many of these exams require extensive preparation and will necessitate a significant amount of time to study in order to be prepared. Factor this exam preparation time into your graduate school application plans and timeline. The test providers may offer free resources or practice exams on their website. It is recommended to take practice exams to identify the specific content areas in which you could develop more knowledge and estimate the preparation to achieve your desired score. Always factor in enough time to retake an exam in the event that you are dissatisfied with the original score.

Interviewing

Some graduate schools may require candidates to participate in an in-person, phone, or technology-based interview. While many programs have become more flexible with their interviewing requirements over the last few years, some programs require any applicants who wish to be considered to attend a specific interview date if invited. This is more common with professional programs and Ph.D programs although it can vary by career field.

Prepare for an interview by reviewing the application requirements and essay prompts to discern the types of questions that might be asked. Develop and practice potential responses ahead of time so that you can be prepared to answer them confidently and effectively. You should always be prepared to answer questions about your relevant experiences (work, volunteer, or involvement), academic qualifications, research skills, strengths, professional goals, and interest in the program.

You may also want to consult with faculty members or students familiar with the program in order to prepare and discuss questions to ask the interviewer(s). It is a good idea to have questions prepared for different audience types such as a faculty member you want to conduct research with and questions for current students in the program. Some programs will incorporate campus/city tours or social events so you can get to know students, staff, and faculty in the department during an interview day or weekend. Remember that all of your interactions will be scrutinized so be professional at all times.

Consider scheduling a mock interview appointment with your career advisor to practice for your graduate school admissions interviews.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the common application components outlined above, some programs may have specific requirements such as:

• Academic transcripts
• A portfolio or work samples
• Observation/shadowing hours
• Other application requirements specific to the field of study

Research the application requirements carefully to identify the components you need to prepare. While your undergraduate program may prepare you to meet some requirements, you will also need to be developing your skills and building experience outside of the classroom to be a strong candidate. If you are considering graduate school, acquaint yourself with these requirements specific to your intended career field as this information may impact how you choose to spend your time while working on your undergraduate degree.

Tips for Success

Stay Organized

Maintain an awareness of application timelines and selection processes. If applying to multiple programs, employ a system (e.g., spreadsheets, email labels, calendar reminder alerts, cloud drive folders) that aligns with your organizational style to manage and track application components throughout the application process. Use a clear labeling system for your documents so you know what version is most updated or intended for a particular audience.

Find a Balance

Depending on your goals and competitiveness as an applicant, consider how many programs to apply to. It's best to apply for several programs so you can potentially have more options. You do want to find a balance as applying to a large number of programs can be challenging. Like your undergraduate university search, it can be good to have some options that you are confident about your acceptance as well as goal programs that are more competitive.

Plan Ahead for Expenses

Applying to graduate school can be an expensive process. While not all programs require an application fee, many do. There may be fees to apply to the university, for the specific program application, to send transcripts from all your prior institutions, to take exams such as the GRE or LSAT, to send exam scores to universities, travel costs to visit universities for interviews, etc. Some programs may offer assistance for lower-income applicants to waive fees, but it is good to look into options early so you are not surprised by any last-minute application costs.

Choose the Best Program for You

After conducting research and going through the application process, you will likely have an internal ranking of programs where you applied. There are many factors that go into the decision-making process and you want to find the best program for your interests and values. Consider what program will help you achieve your professional goals and where you will be supported. You may have logistical concerns such as geographic preferences and cost of living.

Consider Options

Set yourself up for success by considering all your options. For example, what will your next steps be if you don't get into your top program? What will you do if you aren't accepted into any program? How certain are you about pursuing this career path and what can you do to increase that confidence? Are there any steps you can take to continue building your skills even after you have submitted your applications?

If you hope for the best and plan for the worst, you will be less likely to feel overwhelmed if things don't work out the way you hoped. Some graduate programs are extremely competitive so you may decide to apply again in the future after strengthening your application by gaining more experience, improving your academic qualifications, increasing your entrance exam score, clarifying your professional goals, practicing interviewing skills, etc. There is no one path to career success so determine what feels best to you.