Tips for Completing Graduate School Applications

By Jordyn Austin on March 1, 2017

If you are planning to go to graduate school after undergrad, you know that the process can be quite overwhelming. There are multiple steps for graduate school applications, especially if you are applying to multiple schools. So here are some tips for filling out graduate school applications.

Create an organizational chart

The first step you should take is to look up the schools you want to apply to and begin to organize a chart. The chart should have the name of the school, the cost of application, the deadline to apply, additional materials needed, where to send your materials, and who to contact for questions. This can be a simple Word or Excel document that you add to as you get more information.

Also feel free to adjust it to fit your personal needs. The most important aspect of this is filling the chart out thoroughly and accurately. By doing this research, organizing and gathering your materials, you should be able to look at a school and know whether or not you need transcripts, test scores, personal statements, etc. This makes the process of applying to graduate school much easier.

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Gather application materials

Once you gather all the information needed, depending on the application deadline, the next step would be to schedule time out to start to complete them. If you need transcripts sent, then you should start to request them from the school you attended for undergraduate studies. If you need a resume or personal statement you should begin to write those. If you need portfolios or samples for your program, you should start to get those together and make sure they include everything the department is asking for. Incomplete applications and missing materials almost guarantee that your application is thrown out.

It would also be a good idea to have check boxes as you complete and turn in the various parts for your application. This not only helps you stay organized during the process but also helps you to see how much you have completed. Check boxes give you a visual to track your progress and make sure you’ve completed everything by the designated deadline.

Since graduate school applications have multiple parts and questions, it may be best to take out enough time to thoroughly think about what is being asked so you can provide accurate answers. Free yourself from distractions if you need to so you can focus. You don’t really want to make mistakes because once the application is already submitted, it can be hard contacting the committee to make corrections afterward.

Save up money

If you have to, you should save up enough money to pay the application fee beforehand, because most graduate school applications require you to pay the fee at the time of filling out the application. This can cause an issue if you have multiple schools you’re applying to with very close deadlines. You do not want to run out of money and not be able to meet the deadline, so it is better to save up money ahead of time. Many application fees are nonrefundable as well, so this is another reason to be organized and have your money saved up.

Follow directions and ask questions

Following directions is also very important. If you fail to follow directions, the graduate review committee might see that as a reflection on your ability to follow directions in graduate school. First impressions make a difference and you want yours to be positive. That is why following directions, organization, completeness, and accurateness is so important.

If you don’t understand a request or question on the graduate school application, be sure to contact the person given for questions. You don’t want to assume anything because you could possibly have the wrong understanding. This goes back to following directions. Part of following directions is understanding what they mean. If you are unclear about anything on the application, it is best to contact someone for further explanation.

Be professional

The next tip is to be professional. Professionalism is essential to preparation for graduate school. Some things that were permissible in undergrad probably will not fly in graduate school because it’s now a higher level. Your application is included in this professionalism. If you have to provide a personal statement, etc. professionalism is so important. Misspellings, poor grammar, and inaccuracy all reflect laziness. Graduate school is the preparation right before professional careers where professionalism is a requirement. Practicing professionalism now will help you get a head start.

Relax

The last tip is to just relax! Applying for graduate school is already a stressful process, so worrying about everything is the last thing you need during this time. As long as you have taken the steps above to stay organized, save money, and make sure your application and all its supplemental materials are completed by the deadline, then you should not have anything to worry about. You can definitely be sure to relax and find rest when you’re done and submit your application with confidence.

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