With the economy in recession, many college graduates postpone their job searches in favor of graduate education. Yet, gaining acceptance into a graduate program is often as treacherous as job hunting. Following the steps outlined here will greatly increase one's chances of gaining acceptance into a graduate program.
Know What You Want
A successful graduate school application (and graduate career) hinges on whether or not one knows what he or she will study as a graduate student. For the last several decades, academia has become more and more specialized. It is not enough to apply to a graduate program with a simple desire like "I want to study American Literature." Instead, applicants should focus their interest and state something specific such as, "I want to examine the presentation of race in the novels of William Faulkner." If one is unable to find a specific vein of interest within a given academic field, then one is not ready to apply to graduate school.
Find a Graduate Program that "Fits"
Once an applicant knows what he or she wants to study as a graduate student, then the applicant must find graduate programs that specialize in a similar area of study. For instance, if an aspiring historian wishes to study the origins of slavery in 17th Century Virginia, then he or she should choose graduate programs with professors who specialize in the origins of slavery in 17th Century Virginia. Unlike the undergraduate application process, professors review graduate applications themselves. During the review process, the professors match applicants with potential mentors. If the department is unable to match the applicant's interest with the interest of a professor, then denial of admission is almost guaranteed.
Use Social Networking to Secure Graduate School Acceptance
One should not underestimate the power of social networking when attempting to gain acceptance into the graduate programs of your choice. As early as possible, one should develop relationships with his or her undergraduate professors. Most importantly, get to know the professors in one's field of interest. As a job requirement, professors keep abreast of all the work being done in their field. Thus, professors may provide students with "inside information" regarding graduate work.
Often, professors have professional relationships with professors at other universities. If one is able to impress his or her undergraduate mentors, then those mentors are likely to speak to their colleagues about the applicant's abilities as a student. Nothing is more impressive to a graduate committee than a personal endorsement on the applicant's behalf from one of their own.
Be sure to visit potential graduate programs during the application process. Send a letter or professional email to the graduate chair at the department of one's choice. Ask to visit the department and schedule some time to sit down with the department chair and ask questions. Even if the meeting is uninformative, the department chair will be able to put a face with an application during the review process.
Write a Great Admissions Essay
A great admissions essay is the icing on the graduate application cake. Here, one can open up and reveal his or her passion for a given subject or area of study. Do not be afraid to make the admissions essay personal. It is the only part of the graduate application unique to the applicant. Other applicants will have 4.0 grade point averages and 1400 GRE scores. No one else will have the same admissions essay. The applicant should use the essay to reveal why he or she is the most driven, most passionate, most capable applicant. If one is unable to manifest his or her passion for study in an essay, then admission is not gauranteed.
In the end, the graduate application process is about the applicant. Successful applicants will have a strong of sense who they are and what they want. The successful applicant will then make that desire known to the professors and academics who share similar desires and interests. In order to make academic interests known, the successful applicant will network accordingly and then be able to express his or her interest on paper in the form of an admissions essay.
