| Application Process | How can Career Services help? |
Request application materials from admissions offices at institutions to which you are interested in applying and pay close attention to admissions deadlines. The components of a graduate school application all work together to provide universities with a well-rounded view of an applicant. Keep this in mind when developing your strategy for effectively "selling" yourself to admissions committees. General information on common components of the application follows, yet is subject to individual institution's instructions.
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You may be required to submit a departmental and a graduate school application form. Make sure your application is typed and free from errors. Consider making a copy and filling out the form(s) as a trial run. Make copies of the finished form for your records and in case your application package gets lost in the mail. Send unfolded in a large envelope and consider mailing via registered mail. It is a good practice to send your application before recommendation letters are sent so that a file is already set up for you at the prospective university.
The admissions exam(s) you will be required to take will differ depending
on your area of planned study. Consult individual programs
for their requirements. These exams are similar to the
SAT and usually assess quantitative, verbal, and problem-solving
abilities. Generally, for graduate school within the Arts & Sciences,
the General GRE (& sometimes
Subject) is usually required. For Law school, you
will need to take the LSAT.
For Medical school, the MCAT is
required. For Business, you will need to take the GMAT.
Take these exams well in advance to leave enough time for
scores to be reported promptly. The GRE & GMAT can
be scheduled throughout the year. The closest testing center
is as follows:
Prometric
Testing Center
855 Central Ave
Albany, New York 12206
(518) 438-6762
At least one (sometimes two) is usually required from each institution you've attended - anywhere you have earned a degree or where you have taken classes. Obtain these directly from the Registrar's Office. You may want to request an unofficial transcript ahead of time to examine for errors. Consult individual programs for their preferences - some will require transcripts to be sent directly; others may prefer transcripts to be sent with other components of the application packet. Some institutions will charge a fee for each transcript request.
The best letters come from those who know you well. Professors
in particular (unless you have been out of school for a number
of years, in which case letters from supervisors are acceptable)
are the best sources of information for admissions
committees, as they can attest to your past academic performance
and predict your success in graduate endeavors. Consider
professors with whom you have taken multiple classes or completed
an independent study. Ask professors at least two months in
advance if they will support your application by writing
a GOOD letter of recommendation for you. If they
are agreeable, present them with the appropriate recommendation
forms (if supplied by the prospective university), information
about your career goals, self-addressed stamped envelopes,
and any other information they may request to assist them
(i.e., transcript or writing samples). For universities requesting
confidential letters, consider establishing
a Career Services Reference File, a for fee reference
file service for students and alumni. Most schools require
you to submit at least three letters. For additional information,
see:
Hanover's 8 Steps to a Good Letter of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation
Graduate
Study in Psychology - Tips on letters
The purpose of most personal statements is for admissions committees
to determine whether the program is a good fit for a particular
applicant & vice versa. The personal statement is an
opportunity for you to distinguish yourself from other
applicants beyond test scores and GPA's. Be prepared to
discuss your achievements thus far, your career goals,
and how that particular university's program will prepare
you to reach those goals. Keep in mind that you may be
competing with hundreds of other applicants for a small
number of open slots, so it is in your best interest to
be succinct yet present your uniqueness. For help with
your statement, you may wish to visit The Writing Center in Humanities 140. For more detailed
instruction, see:
Preparing
Graduate School Application Essays - The Writing Center,
RPI
Writing an Effective Personal Statement - especially but not only for social work
Accepted.com
AdmissionsEssays.com - some sections have fees, but has free writing tips
Writing the Personal Statement
Graduate
Study in Psychology - Tips on essays (includes samples)
Some institutions will request you to submit a copy of your current resume. Some will request a "Curriculum Vita (CV)," or simply "Vita." Both formats showcase your education & experience. However, a CV is geared toward the academic community and lists your earned degrees, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, and related activities. As previously mentioned, admissions committees will receive several applications; create your resume to be succinct and eye-catching yet professional. Have a copy critiqued by one of our staff members. Refer to the Resume section of our main page as a guide or JobStar's Curriculum Vitae page.
Preparation for graduate school admissions interviews follows the same guidelines as preparing for a job interview. The most important thing you should know is yourself. Similar to the self-exploration necessary for composing your personal statement, it's important that you have a firm grasp of your motivation for graduate study and show your understanding of career options. Present yourself as having done the research, both on your program of proposed study and on yourself. For general information on interviewing, consult our Interviewing Information page, The College Admissions Interview (geared toward undergraduate admission, but still applicable) or Drew University's Interviews page. Medical school candidates might consult www.interviewfeedback.com for interview questions and advice from students who have completed the interview process.
Applications are usually due as early as February or March for Master's programs, and December or January for Doctoral programs. Be sure to check individual school's deadlines. Plan early!
JUNIOR YEAR
Research
areas of interest Determine
electives that might be helpful in applying to graduate school Get
to know faculty who may be potential sources of letters of recommendation Acquire
research or field-related experience in your area of interest Visit Career Services for assistance in your graduate admissions pursuits
SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR
Research
programs and universities and request application information
Visit
institutions of interest, if possible
Investigate
financial aid opportunities
Begin
saving money for application fees, interview expenses, & other
associated fees
Register & prepare
for admissions exams
SENIOR YEAR
Ask
professors to write letters of recommendation (at least
2 months in advance) supply with reference forms & transcripts
Request
transcript to be sent to all universities you are applying
to
Prepare
resume or curriculum vitae
Take
admissions exams & request scores to be forwarded to prospective universities
Begin
writing first drafts of personal statements
Prepare
applications for mailing
Once
mailed, confirm that application packet has been received
Confirm
that letters of recommendations have been sent. Thank writers!
Prepare
for possible interviews
Accept
or decline admissions offers
Finalize
financial arrangements
Career Services Library Resources
Anthony, Rebecca & Roe, Gerald. The Curriculum Vitae Handbook: How to Present and Promote Your Academic Career.
Asher, Donald. Graduate Admissions Essays: Write your way into the graduate school of your choice.
Jackson, Acy L. How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae.
McDaniels, Carl. Developing a Professional VITA or Resume.
Peterson's. Peterson's GRE Success.
Robinson, Adam & Tallia, Rob. Cracking the LSAT 1999 (Princeton Review)
Stelzer, Richard J. How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School. (Peterson's Guides)
Stuart, David & Kaplan Educational Center Staff. GRE/GMAT Math Workbook.
Get your Personal Statement critiqued during Drop-in hoursView our presentation on Graduate School
Learn how to set up Reference Files
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