Deciding to pursue graduate study and graduate school is equally exciting and challenging. Students often take the next step in their educational and professional journeys with an intensive, career-focused degree program.
Graduate school offers students the opportunity to pursue specializations, advance their careers, and build a professional network, making it a significant personal and professional investment.
Yet, it is also not without its challenges, starting with the task of putting together a successful graduate school application and applying to graduate school.
This article will discuss the graduate school admissions process and share several tips to ensure students have a successful graduate school application and are accepted into the school and degree program of their choice.
What is Graduate School?
Whereas undergraduate degrees allow students to qualify for entry-level jobs, graduate degrees prepare students for career advancement and increase their marketability when applying for higher and senior-level positions.
As such, graduate school programs offer more focused and comprehensive classes with far more readings and research. They are also more niche in topics as graduate school prepares students to be experts in their chosen field of study and graduate with a fully enhanced and developed skill set and knowledge base.
While students may take fewer classes and sit for fewer exams in those classes than in an undergraduate degree program, graduate classes and exams require students to demonstrate an in-depth and far-reaching understanding of the material.
Graduate School Admission Requirements
While both undergraduate and graduate schools have admission requirements, the similarities often end there, and students should research to understand what their desired graduate school and degree program require.
Generally speaking, graduate admission requirements are much more involved, as students will be asked to submit undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and resumes.
Students will also likely be asked to complete an interview process or fulfill program-specific requirements, such as applying directly to their specific program of interest or taking prerequisite courses.
Interested in going to graduate school at University of Bridgeport? Check out our Graduate Student Hub for more information on our programs, admissions requirements, and more!
Six Graduate School Application Tips
Applying to graduate school can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider implementing these graduate school application tips and strategies to smooth out the process.
Tip #1: Ace the Personal Statement
Graduate schools usually require an applicant’s personal statement or essay so the school and professors can get to know a student, their career goals, and why they want to attend graduate school.
Similarly, this is your opportunity to set yourself apart from other applicants by showing them that you’ve researched and know why and how their graduate school can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Research the school’s and program’s mission statement and the backgrounds and achievements of the faculty. Be sure to share why you are choosing to attend graduate school at this point in your life.
Tip #2: Choose References Who Know You Best
References can be an amazing advocate for students and their graduate school applications. These need to be the people who know you and your skills and can express your unique value and contributions to the graduate school admissions committee.
Make sure your references have information about the program and know the contents of your personal statement, as they need to be able to support and endorse those materials as well.
Tip #3: Show Your Engagement with the Subject Matter
If you are applying to graduate school, chances are you are incredibly passionate about your chosen program and field of study.
This can look like being self-assured and confident in your work thus far and expressing how you want to utilize the degree to further enhance and expand your skill set and career. Allow your diverse resume or portfolio to showcase your work to the admissions office.
Tip #4: Don’t Overvalue the GRE or GMAT
While many graduate schools and programs still require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores, others are placing less emphasis on them or forgoing this requirement altogether.
Performing well academically is, of course, still important, and students should work hard in their undergraduate degree and graduate school entrance exams. But, graduate schools tend to look at the whole picture of a student during the admissions process.
If you must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), give yourself plenty of time to study and retake the test if needed, but know that all of your admission materials will be assessed and evaluated.
Tip #5: Make a Personal Connection
When selecting and applying to a graduate school and graduate program, it’s essential to research not only the program but also the faculty and staff teaching you.
You plan to spend the next one to three years learning from and being guided by the people in your program. They will, in turn, along with your peers, be the foundation of your professional community and network after graduation.
You may take this personal connection a step further and email someone on the faculty to get information about them, the courses they teach, and why they are passionate about their program and profession. This connection can go a long way in determining a student’s graduate school acceptance.
Tip #6: Showcase Your Success
Graduate school applications are not the time to downplay your personal and professional accomplishments. However, avoid misrepresentations, grandiose statements, and negative or judgemental statements.
Graduate programs are looking for accomplished students eager to learn and expand their knowledge and skills, so don’t be shy about showing what you have done thus far in your life and career.
Lastly, be authentic to yourself rather than give the admissions office or program faculty the answers you think they want to hear. Think of graduate school as a collaborative experience instead of catering to them.
Graduate school often paves the way for personal and career growth and success, starting with the decision to apply to graduate school. This exciting and important decision and process does not need to be done alone.
In fact, our graduate admissions team at University of Bridgeport is dedicated to helping students navigate the application process and obtain the resources and financial aid they need. Together, we ensure you’ll get through graduate school and into a great career.
Contact us for more information about our graduate school degree programs and admission requirements.
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