How to Prepare Before You Apply to Graduate School

Applying to graduate school requires preparation. However, though we can readily find information regarding "how to apply," it's far more difficult to know precisely and succinctly how to prepare for applying. Successful preparations are, arguably, just as important as the application process itself. The following advice comes from someone who worked hard, learned, prepared in the following ways, and actually got into graduate school: namely, me.

1. If you don't already have a professor (or another type of relevant professional, e.g. a lawyer or judge) mentoring you, get one. Here's how you go about attaining a mentor. First, pick a professor or two, who you like and for whom you have demonstrated the ability to critically reason your way through somewhat difficult material. If you have already taken classes from these individuals, make sure you got an "A" in their classes. If you are in the midst of your first class(es) with the professors of your choice, make sure that you have shown yourself to be a hard worker, and that you are getting an "A." Next, visit these people during their office hours. Do not "stalk" them--simply explain your interests in pursuing graduate school. Ask them whether you can avail yourself of their advice about this issue throughout the process. You might even consider a bolder approach by asking whether they might consider mentoring you through the process. If they agree, then you have someone who is willing to be active in your development, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the professor. This is priceless.

2. Get used to approaching people because it doesn't stop at pursuing mentors. You will need to go through the exact process as in Rule #1 in order to seek out those who will write letters of recommendation for you. Almost every graduate program requires 3 letters of recommendation. (Some will accept a fourth letter; others will not.) Again, find at least 3 professors (these can include any mentors you might have) in whose classes you have received "A"s! Inform them of your interest in graduate school, and-this is very important-ask verbatim whether they think they "can write a strong letter of recommendation" for you. Believe me... they will be honest in their responses. You need to get asking at least a month in advance. (However, the more advanced notice you give your letter writers, the better. Professors are notorious procrastinators!) Be prepared to hear "no," but don't kick yourself if that happens. Simply move on to another potential letter writer. If a professor says "no," grow some thick skin; it's not healthy to take things personally. Sometimes the professor is just too busy and wouldn't want to let you down by writing too general or brief a letter. Also, grad school is tough to get into. Some programs only accept 3 new students per year! You are bound to experience rejection from at least some schools. But read on, and take heart that at least you are learning how to successfully prepare, remembering that proper preparation may be what sets you apart from hundreds of other applicants.

3. Do not leave those who have agreed to write letters for you hanging! They are doing you a huge favor, here, by taking sweet time out of their busy schedules to help your butt get into grad school. Do them a favor by making this process as painless as possible for them. Your letters will be better for it. Here's how to help them help you: a) Invest in 3 of those five-tab colorful folders from your local office supply store. Mark the first tab "Cover Letter." Mark the second tab "Statement of Purpose" or "Personal Statement" (they are the same thing). Mark the third tab "CV." Mark the fourth tab "Transcripts." Finally, mark the fifth tab "Schools." b) Read my articles on how to write the cover letters, how to write a personal statement, and how to prepare the grad school packet for recommenders (this final article deals with what to do with the rest of the tabs). Just understand that you will be providing each of your recommenders with an organized folder. This will impress them, and they'll probably write you a stronger recommendation for it. c) Send each recommender a "friendly reminder" via email about two weeks before their deadline. d) Take your mother's (or grandmother's or great aunt's or other smart woman's) advice: write each of your letter writers a Thank You card. Promise to keep in touch and to send them a postcard from your future graduate institution. Then, do that.

4. Actually study for the GRE. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is formally required by every graduate program in the United States (although some departments might let you slide under the radar, if you have the right connections). I highly advise using The Princeton Review's Preparation Book, "Cracking the GRE." Read everything: the preface, the introduction... everything. And follow their guidance to the tee. Take every online practice test. Make flashcards using pneumonics (which they explain). If you give yourself several months to study, you will be a happier and less stressed out person for it. Another helpful hint: During the first couple of practice exams, I kept a notebook by my side and copied down every math problem with which I had difficulty as well as every word that I had not yet encountered in the book. This was an enormous help, as a few of those words popped up as I was taking my real GRE.

5. Ask your letter writers about the universities from which they graduated (for every degree: BA/BS, MA/MS, and Ph.D./J.D./E.D./LL.M... etc.). If any degrees are coming from one or more of your institutions of interest, this is another chance for you to be bold by asking your professor(s) whether they might be willing to make a phone call for you. This, by no means, a necessary part of the process of applying to graduate school. Rather, it is a relatively secretive, yet potential bonus card. Exploit it, if you can. If your professor thinks you're fabulous, and if they're not a flake, chances are in your favor that they'll make a phone call on your behalf. This, folks, is just as good as finding a little magical grad school genie. (I happened to get accepted to a program without a phone call, but I wish I would have known about this little nugget of information back then. Had I taken advantage of this advice, I may have had more choices, which is always a good thing.)

6. START THIS PROCESS EARLY! Again, the sooner you get going, the smoother the process. Applying for graduate school is extremely time-consuming. It can also be stressful and expensive, so if you're on a budget, don't think about applying everywhere with a graduate degree in your field of interest. Be choosey. If you need help here, read my article on how to narrow your graduate schools before applying all over the place.

Good luck and remember to be bold!