Graduate and Professional School Preparation
The Application Process
Prepare a comprehensive list of the graduate schools in your area(s) of interest. The easiest way to do this is to consult such resources as Graduate School Finder, or Peterson's Annual Guides to Graduate Study or the GRE/CGS Directory of Graduate Programs. In addition to these comprehensive listings, you may find directories for your field helpful, such as The Pre-Law Handbook or Graduate Study in Psychology.
Once you have obtained a comprehensive list of schools, begin trimming the list. Your faculty advisor can be especially helpful in identifying programs that will be good matches for your interests and abilities. Also talk with a career counselor, practicing professionals; consult ratings; and use your criteria. Cut the list to five or ten schools and telephone or send a post card to each school requesting a catalog, application material, and financial aid forms. You can also request this information on-line.
You are now ready to begin submitting applications to the schools of your choice. The applications consist of six parts: the application form; transcripts of all past academic work; letters of reference; national examination scores; financial aid forms; and application fees.
The Application Form
You should either type or neatly print your responses to all questions. Black ink is best. If typing, avoid using "script" typeface. Make all corrections as neatly as possible. If the application form does not look good, you will not look good. Write out answers on a separate sheet of paper beforehand, and then transfer those answers onto your application to avoid mistakes.
Essays and Personal Statements
Graduate school applications often times require a personal statement that introduces you to the graduate admissions committee. This statement should tell the committee who you are and why you are interested in the field. This is your opportunity to sell yourself and to expand on information in your application. The key is not to bore the reader.
Make sure you answer any specific questions that were asked on the application form. This is also your opportunity to explain any special circumstances in your academic history (i.e. unusually bad grades one semester). Edit, Edit, and Re-edit, as poor writing will reflect negatively on you.
Normally the essay should only be one to two pages long, unless specified by the institution.
Transcripts
Transcripts can be requested through the Registrar’s Office, many times with a small fee. It is your responsibility to forward an official copy of your transcript to each graduate school’s admissions office which requests one. It is your responsibility to make sure they have been sent.
Letters of Recommendation
A letter of recommendation is written by a professional to the admissions committee to inform them of your capability to perform well and benefit to their graduate program. Most graduate schools will want two to five letters. Some schools may ask that you simply supply names and addresses. Most, however, will provide you with forms that you must give to the persons you wish to have write recommendations.
The selection of references should always be in accord with the graduate school’s direction. To facilitate the reference person’s letter you should provide them with three things:
1. Information about you and why you want to attend graduate school.
2. Information about the graduate school.
3. A pre-addressed, stamped envelope.
When requesting recommendation letters, you should try to be sure that the professionals know you and your academic work, often times this may be a professor.
Note: For some seniors, it may be possible to use a credential file rather than asking faculty to write a number of different letters. Ask your advisor if a credential file will assist your graduate admissions process.
Graduate and Professional School Preparation . Wartburg College. 20 Apr. 2006 <http://www.wartburg.edu/pathways/gradprep/adapp.html>.