Getting Ready for Graduate School Admissions

There are four parts to almost any graduate school application: GRE/standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, the personal statement, and the transcript. An incomplete application will lead to an automatic rejection.

Standardized Test Scores

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the most common standardized test required for admission to graduate school. However, certain specialized graduate schools require different tests, including the LSAT for law school, the MCAT for medical school, and the GMAT for business school. Certain programs require GRE Subject Test scores for specific disciplines.

You should take these standardized tests at least several months before applying to graduate programs. Your scores may affect where you apply. You also want to make sure that your scores arrive to the program admissions committees prior to the application deadlines.

Begin preparing for these tests as soon as you know you will take them. They are very difficult, and some programs (such as law schools) look down on multiple testing dates. Thus, you should do your best in one try.

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation begin to humanize you to the admissions committee. Make sure to build good relationships with professors, and carefully choose those whom you ask for letters. A good letter may not get you in (though it will certainly add to your application), but a neutral or poor letter can kill your admissions chances.

Ask professors for letters well in advance of the due dates. Make sure they have plenty of time to write a flattering letter.

Make sure to provide the types of letters required by the graduate program. Some will accept employer letters, but some only want academic references. It is also helpful to get letters from professors with Ph.D's, as graduate committees look upon them more favorably.

Personal Statement

The personal statement is your chance to shine. Be creative in conveying your passion about your area of study. Explain why your skills and interests make you a good match for the program. Remember that the people who admit you have a passion for the same interests, and they want to see passion in your essay.

Draw upon experiences and skills to make your case. Do not tell them that you want to "help the world"; instead, explain specifically how you want to help the world. Try to convey how they can help you, as well as how you can help them.

Also, if you are asked to answer specific questions, make sure to answer those questions. Nothing is more frustrating for admissions readers than poring over essays that don't follow instructions.

Transcripts

Your transcript communicates your overall GPA, which courses you've completed, and grades for each of those courses. The transcript tells the admissions office how well you do in academics, as well as how much you like to challenge yourself.

You do not send the transcript with your application. Instead, you visit your undergraduate registrar's office to have a transcript mailed straight the graduate programs. Complete this step as soon as you know where you are applying, because you do not want the transcripts to be late.

Most programs have online application statuses that will let you know when they have received your transcripts. Monitor these, and if you feel that your transcript should have arrived, but it has not, contact your registrar's office.

Nicole Rodgers has been blogging for three years; she encourages all business students to take GMAT practice tests before the real exam.