Thinking of Applying to Grad School? Tips and Advice for Getting Started
As graduate application season gets underway, and prospective candidates are researching programs and degrees, the College of Arts and Sciences understands that graduate school is a big decision -- and that the application process can sometimes seem overwhelming.
To help out our prospective candidates, we reached out to Jonathan Harper, assistant director of听graduate recruitment, to ask him what advice he has for students who are thinking of applying to graduate programs in 海角换妻鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences.
Here he shares his expertise:
1. Identify Your Goals and Choose the Right Program
So now you鈥檝e identified your academic and professional goals, and you鈥檝e determined what you want to study in graduate school. But your work is not done. Harper recommends doing lots of research on individual programs and departments within your universities of interest. You want to get the most out of your graduate experience, and that starts with finding a good fit. Does the program line up with your goals? How about your values? Harper says that a major part of the application process is compatibility鈥攄o you have the right foundation for this program? Are your strengths and goals compatible with the program, the faculty, the research focus? 鈥淵ou are a unique applicant,鈥 Harper says. 鈥淓ach program is also unique. We want to go into this knowing how well we will work together.鈥
Did you know
CAS offers more than 40 graduate degrees and certificates in the humanities, arts, sciences, and social sciences. Each program reflects our philosophy that a combination of academic training and real-world professional experience is the best preparation for success as a leader in your field.
2. Choosing a Program of Study: Do Your Homework
Remember that when you鈥檙e applying to graduate school, you are not just applying to 海角换妻. You are applying to a specific program with its own individual criteria, requirements, and deadlines, and you must be prepared. Be sure to review the program鈥檚 website carefully for applicant requirements and deadlines, which may include your resume, personal statement, essays, transcripts, and test scores.
3. Get Organized: Start Early
Harper advises creating a spreadsheet with the requirements and deadlines from each program you are considering. That way nothing will catch you by surprise. Also, Harper suggests making sure all your applications are ready to go two weeks in advance. That way, if anything goes wrong, you鈥檒l have plenty of time to fix it!
One insider CAS tip from Harper is that the College needs to submit application forms early, before you need to submit your other documents. So complete your application first, and as early as possible!
Did you know
All applications submitted by our priority deadlines are automatically considered for graduate funding. This includes tuition remission, stipends, and/or research assistantships!
4. Choose Your References Carefully
The best references can talk about your ability to succeed in your chosen field of study. 鈥淵ou want to use someone who can confirm that you have the foundational skill and intellectual curiosity necessary for your program,鈥 Harper says. It doesn鈥檛 need to be your current supervisor; it鈥檚 okay to reach out to a previous professor or boss and update them about what you鈥檝e accomplished since you last saw them. 鈥淎nd if possible, sit down and talk with them in person,鈥 he adds.
5. Use Holistic Writing Samples
鈥淚f your application requires a writing sample, it should present a holistic view of who you are as an academic,鈥 Harper advises. Faculty reviewers use these to not only assess your writing and research skills, but also your interests. Choosing an academic paper on a subject you feel passionate about will help us understand you better and help faculty see how you fit in with their own research specialties.
Did you know
海角换妻 averages 14 students per graduate class.
6. Reach Out and Connect
If you have additional questions, the CAS Graduate Enrollment Marketing (GEM) office is one of your best resources. You can talk to them about individual programs, applications issues, or anything else you might need. Also, if possible, join one of GEM鈥檚 events (held in person, regionally, and virtually), and check out its calendar for upcoming events that can give you an insider鈥檚 view of CAS graduate programs.
*New on-campus, online, and regional events are added throughout the year, so check back frequently.