Applying to Graduate School
By Tara Kuther, Ph.D., About.com Guide
Overview and Timetable for Applying to Grad School
What can you expect when you're preparing your graduate school application?
- Graduate School Admissions 101
- Timetable for Applying to Grad School: What to Do When
- Grad School Admissions: What to Do During Your Junior-Year
- What Do Graduate Schools Want?
- How Graduate Admissions Committees Evaluate Graduate School Applications
- What's the Role of GPA in Graduate School Admissions?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Applying to Graduate School
- Admissions Outcomes: Acceptance, Rejection, and Wait-Listed
- Applying to Graduate School with a Low GPA
Choosing Graduate Programs
The most important step in applying to graduate school is choosing the programs to which to apply. How do you approach this big decision?
- Where Should You Apply for Graduate School?
- What is the Difference Between a Master's Degree and a Doctoral Degree?
- What Does a Master's Degree Entail?
- Master's Program Rankings?
- Can I Switch Fields and Go to Graduate School in a Different Area?
- Is It Too Late for Grad School?
- How Do I Find an Online Graduate Program?
- What Should I Consider When Choosing an Online Graduate Program?
- You've Been Accepted: How to Choose?
- Choosing Among Two Graduate Programs
Recommendation Letters
Solid recommendations are a critical ticket to graduate school. What is a letter of recommendation? How do you obtain helpful letters of recommendation? How do you approach faculty?
- All About Letters of Recommendation
- Get a Letter of Recommendation: A Step-By-Step Primer
- Frequently Asked Questions About Letters of Recommendation
- Who Will Write Your Recommendation Letters? Choosing Referees
- Requesting a Recommendation Letter: Proper Etiquette
- 12 Don'ts for Getting Letters of Recommendation
- What Is a Good Letter of Recommendation?
- Characteristics of a Poor Letter of Recommendation
- Experiences that Lead to Good Recommendations
- Midlife Applicants: How to Get a Letter a Few Years Out of School
- How Do I Get a Letter of Recommendation When I Attend an Online University?
- When Letters of Recommendation Don't Arrive
- Sample Recommendation Letters
- Thanking Your Letter Writers
Admissions Essays
The admissions essay or personal statement is your chance to present yourself to the admissions committee as a person rather than just a GPA and standardized test score. Take advantage of this opportunity and sell yourself to the admissions committee by writing an excellent admissions essay.
- Preparation and Your Graduate Admissions Essay
- What Do Admissions Committees Look for in Admissions Essays?
- What are Common Topics for Graduate School Admissions Essays?
- Questions to Ask Yourself Before Writing a Personal Statement
- How to Organize Your Personal Statement
- What to Say (and Not Say) in Your Admissions Essay
- Beat Writer's Block to Complete Your Graduate Admissions Essay
- Trouble Starting Your Admissions Essay?
- Graduate Admissions Essay Checklist
- Do's and Don'ts for Writing Admissions Essays
Admissions Interview
If you're invited for an interview you have a leg-up over the competition. Prepare for your graduate admissions interview and you'll be more likely to impress the admissions committee as well as learn about the program.
- Interviewing for Graduate School Admissions
- Graduate School Interview: Dos and Don'ts
- Common Interview Questions
- What to Ask During a Graduate Admissions Interview
Standardized Admissions Exams
Standardized tests are no fun, but they're a critical component to your application to graduate school and can even determine whether you get financial aid. Learn about the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, and LSAT.