Application Tips

Pay attention to application deadlines

Deadlines vary across programs. For safety, you should begin considering schools and looking at application materials at least 8 months prior to when you plan to start graduate school.
Plan for the GRE

It can take up to 6 weeks to receive your official scores for your application. So for safety, complete the GREs at least 8 weeks prior to your application deadline.

To be absolutely safe, allow for the possibility that you may need to take the GRE more than once, with preparation in between, it is ideal to take the GRE 6 months prior to when your application is due.
Prepare for the GRE

Study ahead of time for the GRE. There are computer programs and books available at most bookstores. A minimum of 500 verbal, 500 math is usually required for most Master's programs; for competitive Ph.D. programs, a total score of 1l50, & often 1250, is sought.
Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are typically required, which should be very strong. Letters generally need to be from faculty, although some programs accept letters from employers for those individuals who have work experience. Make an effort to get experiences that will earn you strong letters, such as becoming involved with a professors research or volunteering in your area of interest.
Earn the highest possible GPA

Minimum for Master's programs is usually 3.0. For competitive Ph.D. programs, it can be 3.5 or higher.
Enhancing your application/resume/vita
- Find a faculty member whose research is interesting and work with them.
- Write an honors thesis as an undergraduate student if you qualify for an honor's program.
- If you're interested in applied work, volunteer or work with the area that interests you.
How Many Schools Should You Apply To?
- Depends on how competitive your credentials are.
- Depends on how competitive the schools are.
- Do not only apply to very competitive programs, also apply to other less competitive ones as well (as a back-up plan).
- On the average, most students apply anywhere from 3 -8 graduate programs, sometimes as many as 10 if in a very competitive field.
- Look for and ask about programs that might help with application cost.
Filling out materials
- Avoid spelling or grammar errors
- Avoid leaving spaces blank
- Avoid mistakes that show you didn't follow instructions!
- Leave yourself plenty of time; don't procrastinate
- If didn't do so earlier, may want to contact professors at these schools ahead of time and introduce yourself.
Statement of Purpose
- VERY important!
- Ask a supervisor/professor for general advice
- Have several people read for clarity, content, grammar, spelling, accuracy
- Proof many times and use spell-check, but never rely on spell-check; Can ask a supervisor or professor to review it as well, but only after it's in good shape, & you followed their early advice
- BE HONEST!! Don't say you love research just because that is what you think they want to hear; emphasize your experiences without misrepresenting what you did.
- Highlight your individuality, but do NOT make it a self-disclosure of personal problems.
- Don't procrastinate
Interviewing
- Many programs encourage top applicants to come interview.
- Dress professionally (goal is to look/act professional—not to be “trendy.”)
- Give thought to what you'll say when asked why you want a particular career and particular school
- Come prepared with questions to ask them about, for example:
- What is the nature of the program?
- What jobs have recent graduates gotten?
- What is the collaboration among faculty like?, etc.
- If not pre-arranged, ask to interview with current grads and perhaps even get names of those who recently completed program.

Be realistic, but optimistic!


	Home Undergraduate Resources Graduate Application tips Graduate Studies America Reads Admissions Directory			Application Tips Pay attention to application deadlines Deadlines vary across programs. For safety, you should begin considering schools and looking at application materials at least 8 months prior to when you plan to start graduate school. Plan for the GRE It can take up to 6 weeks to receive your official scores for your application. So for safety, complete the GREs at least 8 weeks prior to your application deadline. To be absolutely safe, allow for the possibility that you may need to take the GRE more than once, with preparation in between, it is ideal to take the GRE 6 months prior to when your application is due. Prepare for the GRE Study ahead of time for the GRE. There are computer programs and books available at most bookstores. A minimum of 500 verbal, 500 math is usually required for most Master's programs; for competitive Ph.D. programs, a total score of 1l50, & often 1250, is sought. Letters of recommendation Three letters of recommendation are typically required, which should be very strong. Letters generally need to be from faculty, although some programs accept letters from employers for those individuals who have work experience. Make an effort to get experiences that will earn you strong letters, such as becoming involved with a professors research or volunteering in your area of interest. Earn the highest possible GPA Minimum for Master's programs is usually 3.0. For competitive Ph.D. programs, it can be 3.5 or higher. Enhancing your application/resume/vita Find a faculty member whose research is interesting and work with them. Write an honors thesis as an undergraduate student if you qualify for an honor's program. If you're interested in applied work, volunteer or work with the area that interests you. How Many Schools Should You Apply To? Depends on how competitive your credentials are. Depends on how competitive the schools are. Do not only apply to very competitive programs, also apply to other less competitive ones as well (as a back-up plan). On the average, most students apply anywhere from 3 -8 graduate programs, sometimes as many as 10 if in a very competitive field. Look for and ask about programs that might help with application cost. Filling out materials Avoid spelling or grammar errors Avoid leaving spaces blank Avoid mistakes that show you didn't follow instructions! Leave yourself plenty of time; don't procrastinate If didn't do so earlier, may want to contact professors at these schools ahead of time and introduce yourself. Statement of Purpose VERY important! Ask a supervisor/professor for general advice Have several people read for clarity, content, grammar, spelling, accuracy Proof many times and use spell-check, but never rely on spell-check; Can ask a supervisor or professor to review it as well, but only after it's in good shape, & you followed their early advice BE HONEST!! Don't say you love research just because that is what you think they want to hear; emphasize your experiences without misrepresenting what you did. Highlight your individuality, but do NOT make it a self-disclosure of personal problems. Don't procrastinate Interviewing Many programs encourage top applicants to come interview. Dress professionally (goal is to look/act professional—not to be “trendy.”) Give thought to what you'll say when asked why you want a particular career and particular school Come prepared with questions to ask them about, for example: What is the nature of the program? What jobs have recent graduates gotten? What is the collaboration among faculty like?, etc. If not pre-arranged, ask to interview with current grads and perhaps even get names of those who recently completed program. Be realistic, but optimistic!