Preparing Your Grad School Application

Your actual application may be the first and only impression of you that the selection committee has of you. Make sure you make a good impression by following these tips:

Follow the rules

Your application packet will specify what you need to include with your application and when everything is due. Make sure you adhere to all the stated guidelines. It may help to make a master list of all the pertinent details for each school to which you are applying, noting such information as the:

• Application deadline.
• Number of letters of recommendation required.
• Directions for submitting letters of recommendation.
• Page or word limit for the purpose statement or other essay.
• Other requirements such as a college transcript, GRE scores, etc.

Following these rules will show that you are disciplined and able to understand and comply with directions.

Beat the rush

Schedule yourself so that you get your application mailed a week or so ahead of time. This will give you a cushion in case your application gets lost in the mail or you have trouble with a printer just when it's time to print out your application essay.

Borrow a typewriter

Your application form may be available online, in which case you can fill it out and print it. But if you have a paper application, borrow a typewriter from someone so you can fill out the form neatly. If you aren't a good typist, hire someone or ask a friend to type your application for you.

Practice

Photocopy your application form and practice completing it on the copy before you do the real thing. This will allow you to get your words just right and to make sure you have enough space for what you need to say.

It is also a good idea to have someone else read over your application in this draft form to make sure that you are spelling everything correctly and using proper grammar.

Label everything

Put your name on all of the pages of your application packet just in case anything gets separated in the admissions office.

Check and double-check

Before you put your application packet in that envelope and mail it away, check everything one more time to make sure:

• Your pages are neat and that your name is on every page.
• You have included all the requested information.
• You have all the right information for this school and program.

It is easy to miss something, so have a helpful friend check everything with you.

Make a copy of everything

Again, before you put that application in the envelope, make a copy of every page. If anything gets lost in the admissions office, you will have a backup.

Check that your application arrived

A few days after you mail off your application, call the admissions office to make sure that all of your materials arrived. If they didn't, you have your photocopy ready to send.