I started thinking about applying to grad school in the summer before my fourth year of undergrad. I knew I wanted to gain some sort of postgraduate education. And after meeting with professors, figuring out what I really wanted, and weighing my options, I started looking at grad school.
I have since finished school and spent the last two years in a different city. Doing my master’s was one of the most beneficial and enriching experiences I’ve had, but more so for my personal development than my academic or professional life. The desire to learn and be better should be huge factors in deciding whether to take the plunge. So, if you’re looking for ways to grow both academically and personally, here are some tips for applying to grad school. Enjoy!
Create a plan
Trust me when I say the application process is LONG and TIME-CONSUMING. The applications are pretty straightforward. But deciding what the heck to put in your letter of intent, actually writing the letter, and then going through a million different drafts—you need a plan of action. Start skimming postgrad programs towards the end of summer. Consider the common components of the applications and when you should begin chipping away at them. I recommend working on your applications in September/October (or earlier, if you can) for a December due date. This will give you enough time to get your stuff together and develop an impressive application package that you will be proud of.
Email your references in advance
Emailing potential references (i.e. past professors) was one of the most daunting parts of getting my application together. I was nervous that my professors wouldn’t remember me, or were too busy to commit to writing the letter, or simply wouldn’t want to. Fortunately, the case is usually the opposite. Professors are happy to write a letter. They are also likely to offer their time to look over your letter of intent and give you advice.
Be sure to contact professors well in advance. Let them know the schools you are applying to, what you hope to research, and the date you plan to have them submit the letters. You can also follow up with an excerpt from your letter of intent following your initial email, so they have more material to mention in their reference letter.
Share your plans with others
When I was in the process of applying to grad school, I made sure to tell everyone! It was intimidating because I wasn’t 100% sure I’d get in. But by sharing my plans with professors, TAs, friends, and other individuals I met, I gained advice, tips, feedback, and encouragement. Many people offered to read my letter of intent. They told me about schools that would fit my research interests and cheered me on. I took all of this as a sign that I was making the right decision.
Attend as many info sessions as you can
Info sessions really helped me zone in on my top choices for postgraduate universities. By attending events at these schools, I figured out what I liked, what I didn’t like, and which aspects of a program sparked my interest or turned me off completely. Even if I would fit into the school’s culture. Funny enough, I didn’t actually attend the info sessions of the schools I ended up applying to. But I still made an effort to speak with the program coordinators and ask questions.
Narrow down your grad school choices
If you’re interested in entering a more traditional program such as Psychology, English, Politics, Engineering, etc., there may be a number of schools you can apply to. However, I recommend narrowing your choices down to three or four. It costs around $100 to apply for each school, and, in the end, you can only go to one. Therefore, there really is no point in applying to 18. If you do your research, have a general understanding of your research interests and desired school environment, then three or four prospects are more than enough.
Believe in yourself!
There were times when I was editing my letter of intent for the 10th time (this is not an exaggeration), that I wondered if all the hours were worth it. But it is! No matter the outcome, you took a step towards something HUGE! And for that alone, you should be proud. Keep at it. Believe in your ability to persevere and try to enjoy the small wins along the way.
What are your apprehensions about applying to grad school?
