Going to grad school and earning a master’s degree is a great way to open up new career opportunities and expand your knowledge and skill set. With more than 2.2 million grad school applicants each year, it’s crucial to dedicate time to completing your application to the best of your ability and give yourself the best shot at getting accepted into your program of choice.
If you are looking to join the growing number of Americans with master’s degrees, here are 10 tips for applying to grad school.
1: Start Early
As the old saying goes, the early bird catches the worm. It’s recommended to begin your graduate application at least six months and up to one year before the application deadline. Research shows that working slowly and allowing yourself to have breaks can help boost creativity and problem-solving.
Instead of waiting for the deadline to approach, start researching, drafting, and writing your application at least six months before. You’ll be able to polish up your application to make it compelling and creative if you give yourself enough time.
2: Research Programs
Each university has its standout programs. It’s important to decide the specific degree you want to earn and find a university well-ranked in your field of interest.
For example, if you’re interested in earning a degree in hospitality, then our programs are a great choice. Being ranked as one of the top 30 best public health schools, our Master’s of Public Health provides students with a top-tier education led by seasoned professionals.
3: Write a Strong Personal Statement
Your personal statement, formally known as the statement of purpose, is vital to your grad school application. A strong personal statement shows why you’re a perfect candidate and what you’ll get out of your prospective school’s program.
You should ensure your personal statement outlines your accomplishments and why it makes you the ideal candidate to earn a master’s degree. Make sure you get feedback from a trusted mentor or two and show your best self in just one to two pages.
4: Letters of Recommendation
Most grad schools request two to three letters of recommendation. To make sure you get quality letters promptly, make sure you build rapport with your professors, mentors, and employers.
Make sure you know your prospective writer’s policy around letters of recommendation before asking them to write them. There are some common guidelines regarding how to ask someone to write it. It’s best to understand their specific policy and indicate the characteristics you want them to highlight.
5: Prep for Standardized Tests
Nearly all grad schools require a form of standardized testing. Although it varies by degree, most grad school applicants need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Just like the SAT/ACT and other standardized tests, it’s helpful to practice taking the GRE months in advance. According to the Princeton Review, some studying techniques include:
- Find your baseline and determine a target score
- Make a study plan and practice different study techniques
- Mimic real conditions
- Review your results
6: Relevant Experiences
Many grad students take a couple of years between finishing their undergrad and applying for grad school. With a gap year or two under your belt, it’s important to gain experience relevant to your graduate degree.
Having relevant experience is just the start. You need to show how these experiences enhance your ability to succeed as a grad student. You can do this by describing how each experience contributes to your interest, success, and desire to improve your prospective field of study.
7: Academic Record
Earning good grades is more than an accomplishment, it can also make or break your grad school application. With that being said, don’t let any underwhelming grades scare you.
You can use your statement of purpose and other written prompts to explain the circumstances and context behind any grades that aren’t up to par. Don’t just explain why you got a grade you weren’t happy with, show how that experience made you grow as a learner and student.
8: Application Deadline
As mentioned earlier, it’s recommended to start the application process and stay on top of the application deadline. Deadlines vary with each school, but usually open anywhere from six months to one year before the term begins.
Our programs fall into that window and open roughly eight months before and close four months before the term begins. You can apply now until September 30 if you’re interested in one of our online and hybrid master’s programs.
9: Financial Aid and Scholarships
Receiving financial aid and earning a scholarship can help greatly reduce grad school costs. As a prospective grad student at SDSU Global Campus, you’re eligible for unsubsidized loans, graduate PLUS loans, or private/alternative loans. You must be enrolled in at least nine SDSU units during the fall and spring semesters to qualify for full-time financial aid, and five units to qualify for part-time and summer financial aid.
In addition to external scholarships, you also have access to 700 scholarship opportunities as an SDSU student. Graduate students can also apply for the Graduate Equity Fellowship. This fellowship provides support for economically disadvantaged graduate students, particularly from underrepresented groups within their respective fields of study.
You can check out our financial aid checklist for more information about where to start your financial aid process.
10: Proofread and Edit
Just like any writing prompt, it’s crucial to review your entire application and ensure there aren’t any errors. Instead of just glancing at it or double-checking it once yourself, have a couple of trusted mentors give it a read too. Not only can they help you fix any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors, but they can also provide you with advice on how to improve your application’s content.
