Applying to Graduate School

The graduate application process is similar to the process you went through for your undergraduate college search. There are some common items that will need to be submitted no matter what program you are applying to, they include:

  1. Application
  2. Nonrefundable fee
  3. Personal statement
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Transcripts
  6. Resume/CV
  7. Entrance Exams (depending on the program)
  8. Interview (depending on the program)
  9. Financial aid applications

Application Basics

Keep in mind that deadlines vary by institution, from a strict date to a rolling admissions process, thus keeping track of each deadline is important. Determining how many schools to apply to can also be a challenge, because application fees can be expensive. While there is no "right" number of schools or programs to which you should apply, maximize your chances by including both "safety" and "reach" schools. When you apply to graduate school, your grades, test scores, personal statement and letters of recommendation typically make up the bulk of what the admissions committee will consider for their decision. Additionally, you will want to keep copies of all documents that you send out, incase there is an issue, you will have an additional copy to rely on.

Personal Statement

The admissions essay is an essential part of your application. This is the time for you to share your story with the admissions committee and stand out as a candidate. In this document schools are looking for your potential as a scholar; your professional goals, academic interests, related experiences and your research experience. It is important to read the question or prompt carefully before answering, as some programs are very specific about the information they want in a statement, and others are vaguer in their questions, allowing you to craft and mold your individual voice in the statement. No matter what is asked, there are some common tips you will want to keep in mind:

  • You should always address the question (if stated directly)
  • Make sure to follow any guideline set by the prompt (length, font, etc.)
  • Take time to craft your statement, this may be the best way to express your interest in the program and field.
  • Have your statement looked over! Asking for feedback from those within your field of interest, professor or Career Design Center staff member is a must.
  • Read through for grammatical errors!

Making sure you are able to address what the committee is looking for is key. Your statement of purpose should address these three issues;

  1. What you have done in the field and how it has prepared you for graduate school
  2. What you want to study and why, including your career goals
  3. Why a particular program is a good fit for you

It is important to communicate your potential as a scholar and not just your love for the subject. By being specific on why you are embarking on this journey is a good way to stay on track.  Another factor that can strengthen your statement (if pursuing research related fields) is indicating how your research interests address current problems in your discipline, as well as if there are resources for the type of research in which you want to engage in locally at or near that institution.

Letters of Recommendation

It can be difficult to ask your professors for a letter of recommendation, however, a strong letter could make the difference in your application.

So who should you ask?

Many schools prefer that they be written from someone that knows you well, thinks highly of your work and are able to write a thoughtful and informative letter on your behalf. Consider the purpose for which you'll want to use the letter and try to include recommendations from people who have worked with you in your academics, clinical, research, extra-curricular, athletics, past supervisor, and/or professional experience relevant to your field of study. By asking the individual if they would be willing and able to write you a positive letter, is the first step in securing a strong recommendation.

When should you ask?

It is essential that you give yourself plenty of time to reach out to your recommenders. Faculty members especially receive many requests, so asking well in advance so they have enough time to formulate a strong letter on your behalf it important. We recommend asking at least six weeks in advance. When asking for a letter of recommendation from an individual you will need to keep these tips in mind:

  • Give your recommender a set deadline that is prior to the actual application deadline.
  • Keep in touch with them throughout the year to help them best understand your motivations for wanting to pursue your field or program of interest.
  • Make sure they have all the necessary information to write the strongest letter.
  • It is your job to make sure they are staying within the designated deadline, so sending gentle reminders or checking in with them about three weeks before the deadline is a good idea.
  • Make sure the recommender knows where they are submitting their letter to (directly to the school, an online submission, interfolio, etc.)
  • Follow up with the individual and send them a thank you note for their help!
How you should ask?  

You will want to make sure that your recommenders are able and willing to do so, so asking in a way that could can allow them to accept or gracefully decline is important. Pressuring someone to write a letter will likely result in a recommendation which might do more harm than good! Letters of recommendation are most effective when they can describe you as well-suited to a particular goal. Thus, it is important to have a conversation with your recommender in person so that they can re-familiarized them self with you and your strengths, goals and overall personality. You may also need to remind the recommender of your educational/academic background by providing an updated resume or past work examples from their class.

Need a place to store your letters?

Establishing a creditial file to house and manage not only your letters of recommendation, but transcripts and other graduate school related documents can be an easy way to keep track of your important documents. One such service for electronically establishing and maintaining a creditial file is called Interfolio. Interfolio is an online service that provides safe storage and electronic or paper sending of your credential documents. You will want to open your account prior to starting the application process.

Transcripts

A transcript is the official record of all your courses, grades, and degrees awarded from SUNY Geneseo. The Office of the Registrar takes responsibility for handling official and unofficial transcript requests. More information about transcripts can be found through the registrar's website.

Resume/CV

A resume or CV may be a supplemental part of your application process that will allow the committee to gain a better understanding of your involvements both academically and professionally. You will want to make sure that you are submitting the appropriate version of your resume with your application materials. It is recommended that you have your resume or CV reviewed before you send your applications out. The Career Design Center offers drop in hours for resume reviews daily as well as individual appointments. Check out our fall drop in hours.

Entrance Exams

Different programs require different standardized admissions tests, and you will want to check each program's individual requirements. Not all tests are offered at the same frequency, and you will want to check to see when and where they are offered in your area. Additionally, you will want to know how much each test costs along with how long scores will be valid for. There are numerous resources available to help you in preparation for these tests including formal courses (such as Kaplan), study guides and practice tests. You will want to make sure you are as prepared as possible. Scheduling your test well in advance of application deadlines, along with setting aside time to study before you take your test is important. Additional resources for test prep can be found at, The Princeton Review, Peterson's Guide and Kaplan Test Prep.

Questions? Information about each test can be found below, or contact the Career Design Center for additional information and resources.

Interview

Many graduate programs will not require an interview, however, for those that do, the interview is another way to share your experiences, reasons for applying and your time to ask questions. You should present yourself professionally and be especially prepared to talk about your research or related work experiences and career goals. You will also want to know as much as possible about the specific program, and be ready with well-informed questions about it. They will be looking for a good "fit" between you and the program. Looking to practice or brush up on your interview skills? The Career Design Center can help! Make an appointment for your mock interview today.

Financial Aid

Graduate school is a big financial investement and learning more about the options available to you finacially is important. One factor to keep in mind is that many financial aid applications have set deadlines that may or may not correspond to your application deadlines. Become aware of them by connecting with all the available resources to you at your insitition of choice. More information can be found under financing your degree.

Final Words of Wisdom

Taking the time to prepare your materials can make a world of difference for your application, and the Career Design Center is here to help. Make an appointment to meet with a counselor today at (585-245-5721).