Planning for Graduate School

Perhaps graduate school has been something you have always wanted to do, maybe you need a graduate degree for your chosen field (dentistry, counseling, etc.), or you may have recently just started thinking about it for the first time. Whatever stage you are at, deciding to attend graduate school is a big decision and requires a significant investment of time, energy, and financial resources. It is imperative to do some preliminary reflecting and researching before you decide to apply.

Things to Consider

  • What is your purpose for going to graduate school?
  • What are your personal and professional goals and values?
  • Program specifics (opportunities, costs, alumni connections, etc.)
  • Application timelines and requirements

Additional Questions to Think About

  • What additional information do you need to know before you start graduate school?
  • This could be something about yourself, a program, or a specific career path.
  • What do you want to learn while in graduate school?
  • What do you want to accomplish with a graduate degree? How have others accomplished this?
  • What can you do now to prepare for graduate school later?

Make a Plan

Once you decide to pursue a graduate degree, start researching and planning so you are ready once it’s time to start applying. It is also important to know that MANY PEOPLE decide to take one or more gap years between finishing their bachelor’s degree and starting graduate school. In some fields, it is even advantageous to work for a while before going back to school!

STEP 1: Research and Selecting Programs: Develop a list of criteria to analyze possible graduate programs, including:

  • What kind(s) of professional development support does the program provide?
  • Where do alumni of the program go? Could I talk to a graduate of the program?
  • What kinds of financial or academic support is offered during the program?
  • Will I be able to work or have an internship during the program?
  • What is the overall structure of the program (duration, class schedule, research opportunities, etc.)?
  • Does the program’s curriculum meet the requirements needed for licensure or certification?
  • How much financial aid will I need? What is my expected starting salary after graduate school?

STEP 2: Things To Do While You’re Waiting to Apply

  • Maintain relationships with faculty members. Let them know you are considering graduate school.
  • Get involved in your field of interest. Attend lectures, volunteer, do research, travel, complete an internship, or other related pursuits.
  • Practice writing. Most grad programs require a lot of writing! Draft out some paragraphs of a personal statement.
  • Conduct informational interviews with alumni. Learn about career paths associated with your graduate program(s) of interest.
  • Read scholarly articles in your field. Journal articles and books are available at most public libraries free to members.
  • Take standardized tests. Many scores are good for multiple years, so plan ahead and get studying!

STEP 3: Getting Letters of Reccomendation

  • Start by developing professional relationships with work supervisors, faculty members, and others well in advance of when applications are due.
  • Demonstrate skills that show you are prepared for graduate school, like working hard, being on time, attending office hours, asking questions, and working well with others on group projects.
  • Select recommenders based on how well they know you and feel comfortable speaking to your ability to succeed in a graduate program.
  • When you ask recommenders, provide supporting materials and information to assist their letter writing process (resume, samples of work, personal statement, etc.).

STEP 4: Reflect Before Writing Your Personal Statement

Writing an effective personal statement means knowing your self, telling your story, and showing how you mat ch specific programs and areas of faculty
research. It i s a written component of a student’s application to graduate or professional degree programs that allows student s to explain their reasons for applying, and usually serves as the answer to a specific prompt that is given.

Consider the following:

  • What personal skills/traits do you posses?
  • What is unique or distinctive about you?
  • What obstacles have you over come?
  • How have your experiences influenced you?
  • What interests you about this school, career, field, etc. ?
  • What might you need to explain (e.g. work history, clinical hours, etc.)
  • How has your interest in the area evolved over time?
  • Why are you personally motivated to apply?

Where to Get Support on Campus

Planning for Grad School (PDF)