Applying for Graduate School

It's never too early to begin planning for graduate and professional school.

To get a thorough overview of the planning and application process, please refer to our Graduate & Professional School Planning Guide.  The guide includes a planning timeline, required tests, CV example, and tips on writing a personal statement.

Planning Resources Available to Students
•  Graduate & Professional School Admissions Fair held each   
   October
•  GC Grad Program Showcase in November and February
•  Special workshops and advising sessions with faculty 
•  Free copies of the Graduate Guide through the Career Center
•  Mock interviews with Career Center staff
•  Web based mock interviews through Interview Stream
•  Advising appointments with the Career Center to help you review
   your resume, CV, and personal statement
•  Careers in Student Affairs & Higher Education is hosted each
   fall  for students interested in this career field

Websites for Researching Programs
http://www.graduateguide.com  
http://www.petersons.com

Do you have the purple graduate school guide?
Pick up your FREE copy of the Graduate School Guide.  Graduate School Guides publication is provided free to the University Career Center each year. If you don't have your purple book, stop by Lanier Hall to pick yours up at any time.

What You’ll Need for Most Applications
By the summer before your senior year, you want to research potential programs and make a list of what each program will need according to their deadlines.  Requirements vary; therefore, the list below is to be used as a guideline only. 

•  To apply to law, medical, dental, and other professional
    programs, you may have to use a centralized application process
•  Letters of recommendation from faculty or previous supervisors
    in the field you are pursuing
•  Transcripts from all colleges attended (you’ll most likely have to
    send your final one after graduation as well)
•  Scores from the appropriate standardized test
•  Personal Statement or Letter of Intent
•  Interview (depends on the program but will be necessary for any
    assistantships)
•  Resume or Vitae (depends on the program but will be necessary
    for any assistantships)
•  Campus Visit (optional but highly recommended)

Graduate Admission Tests and Centralized Applications
This list is based on general research the staff conducted on graduate programs.  You should always research your specific field and program requirements to verify which tests are required and if your field of study has a centralized application service.

Graduate and Professional School Fair Annual event happens each October!

Each October, you have the opportunity
to meet over 50 graduate programs from
across the U.S. at our annual Graduate
& Professional School Fair.  To prepare
for the graduate school fair, we
recommend the following tips:

1)  Make a good impression.  Dress in
      professional or business casual
      attire.  Comb your hair, iron your
      clothes, and leave the flip flops
      at home.

2)  Bring a resume.  Resumes are not
      required but can definitely be an 
      added benefit if you want to be able
      to hand something to the recruiters
      that will help them remember you
      later.  If you're also seeking an
      assistantship, it could land you a job.

3)  Prepare questions.  Use this event to
      get information on graduate 
      assistantships, admissions
      requirements, career opportunities
      for the field, and anything else
      you would like to know.

4)  Ask about the faculty.  If you are 
     pursuing a graduate degree in an
     academic field with a research or
     teaching preparation focus, make
     sure the  faculty are interested
     in the same subjects as you.  Also,
     getting in touch with a     faculty member
     in your research area can help your
     application get the attention it
     deserves and can open up doors
     for assistantships that will pay for 
     you to attend school.

5)  Send a thank you note to the
      recruiter.  If you plan to apply, this
      gesture will keep you fresh in the 
      recruiter's mind. 

Most of all, know who is attending
so that you know what to say to the
recruiters.  All schools attending
the fair can be viewed on
Career Connection.