FAQ’s

+ When do I start preparing for graduate school?

The short answer is, the sooner the better. Beyond maintaining good grades, the first step in your preparation for graduate school is to get as much experience as you can. We recommend students begin getting hands-on experience starting their sophomore year in college. Early on, do not rule out any experience. A combination of volunteering, internships and belonging to clubs and organizations along with research experience(s) should be sought out. Learning what you like and don’t like are equally important. These experiences will shape your future trajectory by defining the types of programs you apply to, give you evidence to speak to in your personal statement, and provide mentors and potential references for when you do apply down the road.

+ How do I figure out which schools and programs to apply to?

Program and faculty match are of the utmost importance. For non-research-oriented master’s programs, consider whether the program aligns with your target career goals. Check out the mission and vision of the program along with any data they publish about what their graduates are doing in the field. Ask yourself, are they doing work that I want to do? If yes, this is a good sign. Next, reach out to the program director to ask questions and see if you can connect with a current graduate student. Consider visiting the campus if possible to get a feel for the campus and departmental culture. For PhD programs, the above advice also applies, but there are some additions. PhD applicants apply to specific faculty at programs whose current research interests align with their own. You’ll need to thoroughly research each prospective faculty mentor along with the program itself to ensure your potential mentor is taking students, is a good match, and that the program will prepare you for, and is in alignment with, your career goals. Finally, depending on your field of interest, specific program accreditation can matter a lot. For other areas, this is not a factor. If your area or field does have an accreditation body, this is an important element to consider when creating your Program Spreadsheet of targeted programs. If you are wondering what accreditation is or why it matters, this is something we can review together. Here are a few examples to give you an idea of what we mean: Clinical Psychology PhD programs must be accredited by the American Psychological Association, Law Schools must be accredited by the American Bar Association, and Business Schools must be accredited by either the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). There are many others.

+ What is the GRE and do I need to take it?

The GRE stands for the Graduate Record Exam. It is a standardized test and is required for admission to many graduate programs. “The GRE General Test measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills — skills that have been developed over a long period of time and are not related to a specific field of study but are important for all” (ETS.org). In addition to the GRE General Test, there are multiple GRE Subject tests. Many graduate programs require the GRE General Test and some require an additional subject area test. It is important that you research your desired program(s) thoroughly to know which exams are required or accepted and what score(s) you need to obtain to be competitive. It is recommended to take a free practice test to get a baseline score to highlight the areas of the exam in which you may need to improve upon. Next you can decide how you want to prep for the test. There are many options for test prep that we can review. To learn what the GRE General Test covers, and how/where to take it, click on the hyperlinked GRE above. As far as when to take the exam, this will depend on when your applications are due. For most master’s and PhD programs, the recommended timeframe to take the GRE General test is the August, September, or October before your applications are due. You can expect your application due dates to be as early as December. It is also recommended to take it during this time so you have a chance to take it a second time should you get a score that is not to your satisfaction. The Law School application cycle begins in September and closes mid-February (usually). The LSAT is the traditional exam required for Law School and it is not offered as often as the GRE. Either exam you choose, we recommend getting it done early in the summer. For Business Schools, it is recommended to take your exam even earlier. The GMAT is the traditional exam that Business Schools require but the GRE is now more widely accepted as well.

+ How do I write a Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose?

There are some very specific and more obvious things to do when writing a statement of purpose like following the required formatting, answering the statement prompt, etc. The tricky part is in the what to say, how you say it and most importantly what not to say. Always be sure to keep in mind your audience. Where are you applying? What is the program’s training model? When we advise our clients, we teach them the PEG method. The goal of the PEG method is to not only ensure you are a good-fit for the program and faculty, but that the program and faculty are a good fit for you. PEG stands for Passion, Experience and Goals. Does your PEG fit? We can show you how to create and deliver a well-written professional story to illustrate why your desired program should select you for an interview, and ultimately, as a student in their program. In addition to the PEG method, we can help you avoid the many pitfalls students fall into that can easily get your application tossed out or passed over. If you need help crafting your Personal Statement, check out the Personal Statement Services we have to offer to help you with this important task.

+ When should I begin gathering my application materials and what is needed to apply?

The end of your junior year marks the beginning of the application phase for most programs. Researching programs, reaching out to faculty to see if they are taking students, and getting organized are your primary concerns at this point in the game. We take a very proactive approach when it comes to applying to graduate and professional programs. The following tools are available for purchase to help you get organized and informed on all materials needed as you head into the application season: Typical Timeline, Program Research Worksheet, and Program Spreadsheet. All of these tools can be adjusted so you can use what we created and adapt it to your needs. It is never too soon to begin to prepare.

+ Who do I ask for letters of recommendation and when/how do I ask for them?

Most programs will require 3 letters of recommendation. It will depend on the programs you are applying to for what types of letters would be strongest. If you are applying to research-oriented programs, then you want strong research faculty letters. If you are applying to an applied program, then you want a combination of academic and hands-on field-work letters (i.e. internship or volunteer site supervisors). Ultimately, your letters will most likely be from a combination of faculty and internship/volunteer supervisors that can speak to your strengths beyond the classroom. They can address their professional experience while working with you on a project in a lab or at an agency in the community. They can relay your abilities such as thinking critically, creating ideas, getting along well with others, and taking initiative, amongst many others. We always recommend emailing a direct request for a strong letter of recommendation two months in advance of needing it. We have Email Templates for purchase that can help you craft what to say if you aren’t sure where to begin.

+ I am feeling overwhelmed by all of this, what do I do?

Check out our Services. We offer pre-graduate school preparation, editing services, individual coaching, courses and Application Tools to keep you organized in the application process.