Make sure that graduate school is necessary
for your future career plans.
How can you do this? Talk to your advisor and professors. They’ll have valuable insights into the necessity of graduate degrees. You may also research job postings in careers that interest you. These postings will have degree requirements, so this will help you determine if it will be necessary for your future plans.
Be organized!
Identify program criteria that is important to you.
This may include research, funding, location, etc. Knowing what is important to you will help inform your program search.
Determine if a graduate entrance exam is required.
Many graduate programs require an entrance exam, such as the
GRE
or
GMAT
. Review the application requirements for each program to determine whether an exam is required. If so, consult the websites for information on: accommodations, fees, and testing schedules, etc. Make sure you plan ahead to give yourself plenty of time to study and re-take the exam if you are unhappy with your initial results.
Do NOT wait until the last minute to ask for letters of recommendations.
Make sure to ask them early on so they have plenty of time to prepare. Provide them with a resume or your C.V. if they aren’t as familiar with your academic work.
