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Applying to Graduate or
Professional School
The key to successfully applying to graduate and professional
schools is good preparation and organization.
The
more schools to which you apply, the greater your planning
and tracking will need to be.
You may apply to as many schools as you are comfortable
with or have time for. However, you should not apply
to any school or program that you would not attend
and each school’s application will require both
time and an application fee.
- Identify a group of potential schools. Peterson’s
Guide to graduate and professional schools,
available both online and in book form in the UCS
career library, is a good place to start.
- Research each program by visiting its website. Note
carefully all application requirements and deadlines
for tests, letters of recommendation, transcripts,
financial aid forms, etc. While application
processes are very similar, each will have their
own special requirements.
- Create some type of tracking system.
This will help you better manage all of your applications. This
is particularly important if you plan to apply to
a large number of programs or schools.
- Talk to a career counselor if you’d
like some help or resources. They
can answer most questions about the application
process: testing, letters of recommendation
and writing your personal statement. They
will also work with you in practicing for a graduate
school interview.
When to Apply
Application deadlines vary from program to program
and for different types of schools. Some schools
review candidates using a rolling admissions process,
which means that they make admissions decisions as
applications are received. To avoid being wait-listed,
you should submit your application as early as you
can as many programs may fill their programs prior
to their published deadlines.
What You Should Send
Application packets typically require that you send:
- a completed application form
- a personal statement
- official copies of transcripts from all schools
attended
- letters of recommendation
- financial aid forms
- application fee
- test scores
Writing your Personal Statement
A personal statement (or statement of purpose) is
your chance to show the admissions committee your personality
and give them further reasons for granting you admission. They
need to be personal and not merely a repetition of
information found elsewhere in your application.
Some programs may ask you to write a statement but
provide little or no content guidelines. Others
may ask you to respond to very specific questions. The
cardinal rule for all statements is to make sure that
you take time answer the question(s) and follow all
directions completely.
There is no single best way to write your personal
statement. A really good personal statement takes
time so it is important that you allow time to not
only write your statement but edit it into a polished
piece as well. Being familiar with the elements
of a good essay may help you form your basic structure and
outline.
While your final essay will likely be about two double-spaced
pages with one inch margins, do not worry about length
as you begin. It is important that you get all
of your ideas out. Once done, you can edit these ideas
into a really effective statement. At any point
career counselors, professors and people at The
Writing Place can
assist you with your statement to make sure it is clear,
concise and correct.
Your statement might address questions such as:
- Who am I?
- Why am I making this choice?
- What do I hope to accomplish?
- What are my career goals?
- Why is this program important to me at this point
in my life or career?
- What experiences (research or otherwise) have I
had in my field of interest?
- Am I committed to this area of work and study?
- What strengths and skills will I bring to the program
and profession?
- Why do I believe they should admit me?
- Are there any special circumstances or inconsistencies
in my life that need to be addressed?
Set Up a Graduate School Recommendation
File
University Career Services offers file services for
students applying to graduate or professional school. You
can start a recommendation file for your letters of
recommendation by coming to our office in person to
fill out some required paperwork. Click here
to learn more about our file services and to
download the forms.
Getting Help
If you would like some help with this process, you
can set up an appointment with a counselor. Career
counselors provide individual appointments to discuss
all components of your application process and any
other concerns you may have about graduate or professional
school. Our career library also provides resources
that you may find helpful.
Resources for Getting Started
Graduate Schools
Peterson’s
Guide
Northwestern University Office of Fellowships
US
News and World Report: America’s
Best Grad Schools 2007
Taking Graduate
School Entrance Exams
Preparing for Your Test
How you prepare for your test in an individual decision. There
are test preparation courses,
preparation manuals and disks put out by various
publishers. There
are also test preparation products put out by the
makers of the test themselves. However, the
important thing is not what test preparation method
you use, but that you make sure you set aside the
time to adequately prepare.
To decide on your preparation strategy, first look
at your preferred study methods.
- Do you have good enough time management skills
so that you will set aside time each week for preparation
and practice tests?
- Do you like to study with a partner?
Answering yes to these questions may mean that purchased
test prep materials and practice tests can work well
for you.
- Do you fear you would not stick to a study schedule
of your own making?
- Do you like the structure and guidance a class
can provide?
Answering yes to these questions may mean taking a
test preparation course may suit you better.
UCS does not endorse any specific test preparation
course. As with any investment, you should thoroughly
investigate your options and choose the best one for
you.
Test preparation Websites
Best Time to Take Your Test
LSAT
The LSAT is offered four times a year in October, December,
February and June. It is best to take it by
December of your senior year for admission the following
fall, however, taking the test earlier in either
June of your junior year or October of your senior
year is more advantageous. Schools begin viewing
applicants early in October and those with a rolling
admissions policy begin to send out acceptance letters
as early as November. A general rule of thumb is
that the later you apply the greater are your chances
of being wait-listed. LSAT test
scores are good for five years (though some schools
may not accept scores older than three years).
Contact information: Law School Admission Council,
Box 2000, Newton, PA 18940—0998; phone: (215)
968-1001.
MCAT
The MCAT is offered twice a year in April and August. It
most advantageous to take the MCAT by April of your
junior year for admission in the fall following your
graduation. MCAT test scores are good for three years.
Contact information: MCAT Program Office, PO
Box 4056, Iowa City, IA 52243: phone (319) 337-1357.
GRE
If you think you will be going to graduate within five
years of your graduation, it may be most advantageous
to take the GRE while still an undergraduate. Like
the GMAT, you will still be in an “academic
mode” and may find it easier to prepare for. The
GRE General test is computerized and available throughout
the year on an appointment basis. When you take
the GRE will depend more on the admission deadlines
and requirements of each school you are considering. Some
programs may also require that you take a GRE subject
test. Subject tests are still administered in
the traditional pencil-and-paper format and are offered
in September, November, and April.
Contact Information: Educational Testing Service,
PO Box 6000 Princeton, NJ 08541-6000; phone: (609)
771-7330.
GMAT
Most top business schools require 2-5 years of work
experience prior to applying to their programs. However,
many students elect to take the GMAT during their
senior year, as they are in an “academic mode” and
may not have the time or motivation to prepare for
the test after leaving school. The GMAT is
completely computerized and is available throughout
the year on an appointment basis. GMAT test
scores are good for five years.
Contact Information: Educational Testing Service,
PO Box 6103, Princeton JJ 08541-6103; phone: (609)
771-7330.
Other Entrance Exams
You may be required to take other examinations depending
on the requirements of different graduate programs. Make
sure you know which ones will be required for you.
In addition to those discussed above, other tests include:
DAT (Dental Admissions Test)
The DAT is required from students who intend to apply
to Dental School
Contact information: American Dental Association, Department
of Testing Services, 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 1840,
Chicago, IL 60611-2678; phone: (312) 440-2689.
FSE (Foreign Service Exam)
The Foreign Service Exam is given once a year in April. For
information and/or an application, as well as test
sties, contact FSE online.
MAT (The Miller Analogies Test)
The Miller Analogies Test is a standardized test of
verbal analogies used by some graduate programs in
place of or in addition to the GRE. The MAT requires
you complete 100 analogies in a timed 50 minute testing
period.
Contact information: Psychological Corporation, 555
Academic Court, San Antonio, TX; phone: (210) 921-8802.
TOEFL (The Test of English as a Foreign
Language)
The TOEFL is used to evaluate the English language
proficiency of those whose native language is not English.
Contact information: Educational Testing Service, PO
Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151; Phone: (609) 771-7500.
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