As you navigate the graduate school admission process, an important (albeit frustrating) thing to remember is that no two grad schools have the same definition of the “ideal” student. Less hazy, however, are the required components of the application itself. Almost all U.S. grad schools ask candidates to submit a résumé, undergraduate transcripts, standardized test scores, letter(s) of recommendation, and an admission essay. The right grad school is waiting for you, and by following a few simple application guidelines, you can increase your chances of getting in.
1. Work history: Don't discount that retail job.
Even if you don't aspire to the MBA, where acceptance hinges on professional experience, your work history could say a lot about you. Did your undergraduate jobs and affiliations include leadership roles? Did you do charity work? In terms of work history, it's the quality, not the quantity, that will have the most impact, so your résumé should emphasize your strengths.
2. Transcripts: 'D' doesn't always spell disaster.
Admission boards are most interested in grades earned during the final half of undergraduate study, since it is then that students focus on coursework related to their major. But while a strong academic history certainly helps, don't fret if your transcripts are less than perfect. Not all grading systems are created equal, and one school's “deal-breaker” may be perfectly acceptable for a program with different goals and criteria.
3. Entrance exams: The test is the thing.
Admission to grad school almost always requires standardized test results, the most common being the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). High test scores are a great way to make up for lukewarm transcripts or limited experience, so if you haven't registered to take the necessary exams, be sure to take full advantage of online test prep tools like those available at www.gradview.com/testprep/index.html. If your test scores are lower than you'd like, you can find out how to retake them at www.ets.org.
4. Letters of recommendation: It's about who you know…and how to ask.
Solicit letters of recommendation only from respected professionals who can speak to your work ethic and potential. Avoid asking in an e-mail or casual conversation; make an appointment to meet in person well in advance of the deadline. Make sure that your writer has enough information about your background goals to make a thorough assessment. Further, if you sense reluctance from a potential writer, seek another source. The best references are enthusiastic friends and colleagues who are genuinely interested in your success.
5. Admission essays: Sell yourself.
The admission essay could be your one opportunity to convince admission representatives that you will make an excellent addition to their program. There are multitudes of online writing resources to help you draft a personal statement that showcases your maturity, your intellect, and your willingness to take on the rigors of a graduate curriculum.
