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Applying to Graduate School

By , About.com Guide

Applying to graduate school is no easy task. Below is what you need to know about applying to graduate school, including information about how to get recommendation letters, write admissions essays, and assemble a competitive application.
  1. Overview and Timetable for Applying to Grad School
  2. Choosing Graduate Programs
  3. Recommendation Letters
  1. Admissions Essays
  2. Admissions Interview
  3. Standardized Admissions Exams

Overview and Timetable for Applying to Grad School

What can you expect when you're preparing your graduate school application?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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