| As unemployment rates are still extremely high | | | | admissions, they are not judging your overall intelligence |
| hovering close to 10%, many young Americans are | | | | or leadership, but rather or not you would fit in with |
| thinking about graduate school as a way to boost their | | | | their research aims. |
| resume and prolong entry into the work force. | | | | Gaining research experience is perhaps the most |
| However, competition is also at an all time high while | | | | important thing you can do to get into graduate school. |
| graduate programs also have less funding to take in | | | | It naturally also leads to strong recommendation |
| as many students. The chair of my department told | | | | leaders and a compelling personal statement. |
| me that this year's incoming class was the most | | | | If you're applying for a field that requires a lot of |
| qualified she had ever seen. So, it's more important | | | | foreign languages such as Philosophy, an Area Studies |
| than ever to make sure you do all the steps for | | | | (Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, etc), or |
| graduate entry. | | | | Religious Studies then knowing languages will also be |
| First, it's important to decide whether you truly need or | | | | extremely crucial, on par with research. It can take |
| want to go to graduate school. Especially, if you're | | | | years for a person to learn a new language and by |
| applying for programs in the humanities such as | | | | already knowing a foreign language, you are proving |
| Philosophy or English where there is an enormous pool | | | | yourself to the committee. |
| of applicants for very few positions and not a very | | | | Since the program is essentially looking for people who |
| bright future. | | | | fit in, it's important to find programs that match your |
| Are you applying to graduate school simply because | | | | interests. Look at the faculty research, read their |
| you don't know what you want to do? Because you're | | | | articles and books, and figure out if there are at least |
| having difficulties finding a job? Or are you certain that | | | | two professors you would be interested in doing |
| no other career path will be as satisfying or fulfilling as | | | | research with. Tailor your personal statement towards |
| graduate study? | | | | how you would be a valuable asset to their research |
| Going to graduate school simply to prolong entry into | | | | and show your passion for that research area. |
| the work force is a bad idea. It would be better to get | | | | Finally, I would really recommend attending a |
| work experience and explore different career paths | | | | conference or visiting the school in person before or |
| rather than spending 2-6 years in a graduate program. | | | | during the application process. By connecting a human |
| However, if you are certain that this field of study | | | | face and personality with an application name, your |
| excites you and definitely want to continue studies | | | | chances are much higher to getting in. Every field has |
| then keep reading. | | | | its own conferences where all the professors come |
| First off, you obviously need a strong transcript with a | | | | together. It's worth the few hundred dollars (or |
| good GPA and strong GRE scores. If you have | | | | sometimes free) to attend. After all, you have already |
| already finished undergraduate education then you | | | | spent hundreds of dollars on GRE testing and |
| can't change your GPA. That's fine. You can easily | | | | application fees. Come in with knowledgeable |
| improve your GRE base line scores by 100-400 points | | | | questions showing your skill in the field, dress |
| though. It just requires consistent studying for a month | | | | professionally, and know the program inside and out. |
| or two. | | | | Once you are accepted into programs, I would |
| Any weak part of your application can be | | | | suggest choosing the one with the most funding. |
| compensated in another area. | | | | However, some fields just do not give funding or |
| Graduate school is all about research. While teaching is | | | | sometimes opportunities in a lesser funded but better |
| a great recommended skill, they are looking for future | | | | program can be rewarding. |
| researchers in their field. Unlike undergraduate | | | | |