Women's Media Nation | Social, political, and cultural issues relating to women

A savvy chick’s guide to applying for grad school

posted by ChickSpeak
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 2:33pm CDT

First, I want to start off by sending out a big congratulations to all chicks about to begin their senior year. You have survived three years of term papers, 8 a.m. classes, all-night cram sessions, and a slew of co-curricular activities. It’s time for some fun! However, before you start the party, you have a very important to make about the next stage of your life. You can either choose to go out and into the workforce or you can choose to pursue a higher level of education.If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, you have already resigned yourself to several additional years of schooling, but, for other chicks, the decision of whether or not to commit themselves to another few years of schooling can lead to more questions than answers. It can almost feel as if you have reverted back to your senior year of high school when you were selecting your current college or university. Can I afford it? Do I really want to delay my career with more schooling? Where do I even begin? How do I know what program is right for me?

GradSchools.com believes that choosing to attend graduate school is a great investment in one’s future. According to an article on their website called “Why Grad School?,” the benefits of higher education are immense. For example, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in your concentration of study without the hassle of general education classes, and you will work alongside and develop relationships with professors and classmates who are dedicated and passionate about your particular field. In terms of your career, you’ll a little prestige and a stronger sense of credibility to your resume, gain access to valuable networking opportunities, and receive training in areas in the field that normally can take years to develop or cannot be taught at all. Most of all, it has been shown people with graduate degrees start their careers at a higher level, advance at a quicker rate than those with just an undergraduate degree, and are poised to earn higher salaries.

Sounds great, right? Well, if you have chosen to take this route already or are seriously considering it, there are several steps in the process. First and foremost figure out which standardized test is required for your field of study. Here are the most common:

GRE General Test-You’ll take this one if you’re applying for a degree rooted in the arts and sciences.

GRE Subject Tests-You’ll take this one if you’re applying for a degree in math, literature or a specific field of science.

GMAT-You’ll take this one if you’re applying to MBA programs.

LSAT-This is required for all students applying to law school.

MCAT-This is required for all students applying to medical school.

Once you know which test you’ll need to take, sign up for prep classes or invest in a prep book and set time aside each day to prepare in order to maximize your score.

Next, you’ll need to select the type of program you want to apply for. This can be the trickiest part of the process. Unlike undergraduate programs, programs found in graduate schools are much more focused on one area of study. Most likely, you already know what direction you want your career to go in. You may just not know which graduate program will be the best one to take you where you want to go. GradSchools.com recommends finding colleges and universities with your desired program or programs and reading over the information provided on their websites. Often, the website will have a great deal of information on courses, estimations on the length of time it will take to complete the program, and financial aid opportunities. If you can’t find certain information or have further questions, don’t be afraid to contact the institution or plan a visit.

Your professors are another great source of information. Often, they can help you narrow down your options or put you in contact with professors who teach programs tied in with your desired career field. Also, seriously consider reaching out to people who have your ideal dream job. Did they attend graduate school or not? How do they feel their decision impacted their career? What program do they recommend or what facets should you be looking for in a program? Don’t be afraid to contact authors, magazine editors, congressmen, or CEOs. You might not get a response, but, if you do, you’ll gain a great deal of insight into the field.

With a short list of programs in place, it’s time to start the application process. Make sure you read over everything carefully. Some programs require portfolios or samples of previous work and others do not. It is important to make sure you include everything the school requires to be considered for acceptance.

Most likely, you’ll be required to get recommendation letters. By this stage of your college career, you probably have developed a relationship with at least a couple of your professors. Choose the ones you feel will be able to offer the best insights into who you are as a person and a student. And just when should you start asking for these letters? In an article on getting the most out of your recommendation letters, GradSchools.com advises students not to wait until the last minute. Application deadlines tend to fall in November and/or December, which can be hectic times for both professors and students as the semester draws to a close. The earlier you start, the more likely you’ll end up with a nice, strong letter for your submission.

The other key component you will most likely be asked to submit is a personal statement. This essay about you deserves a little extra time and attention as it can play a big role in whether or not you make the first cut. It is a way for graduate schools to get to know you as a person and the chance to see how you write. Creating an interesting introduction and developing paragraphs with distinct topic sentences and examples can help set your essay apart from others. Just don’t go overboard with academic language. You want your essay to sound intellectual, but you don’t need to use stilted or flowery vocabulary. Most importantly, don’t try to repurpose the same essay for several schools. Each program will offer guiding questions for this essay, and you should make sure you cover every single one.

Applying to graduate school may feel like an overwhelming process, but, if you get a head start, it can be a little easier. Just remember to stay calm and keep this thought in mind. Once your done with the application process, you can let your hair down and enjoy the fact that you’re a senior!

Shannon Kirk is a senior Communication major at DeSales University in Center Valley, Penna. She is currently in the process of applying to graduate school programs and is desperately trying to narrow down her desired field of study.