Graduate Admission Process

Comprehensive Academic Consulting in STEM Fields

Graduate School Admissions

The graduate school application process is a defining moment for many aspiring scholars. Approached properly, graduate school can be one of the most gratifying experiences of your life.

Graduate Admission Process

The application process should start about 15 months before you plan to attend graduate school. Graduate school deadlines typically are in early Winter, so if it is your intention to enter graduate school in Fall 2015 the ideal time to start the application process would be Summer 2014. Learn more...

Customized Approach

Hundreds, if not thousands, of books have been written on how to get into the college of your dreams. The book showing you how to get into the graduate program of your dreams has yet to be written. While there is no secret recipe for putting together a successful application package, I will advise you on numerous simple and practical, yet seldomly taken, steps that will put you at a distinct advantage.

Graduate Admission Process

Over the Course of Several Months We'll Discuss - 

What is graduate school? What it isn’t. What you’ll need to get in. Who is your audience? An overview of the application process and trends in graduate school. Who evaluates your application?

Why do you feel that you are a good candidate for graduate school? What are your academic interests and long-term goals? What kind of degree are you considering? A series of four questionnaires will help us get acquainted and flesh out answers to these questions.

Good graduate admissions advice cannot take place in a vacuum. Part of our dialog will include highlighting possible career paths and Do What You Are®, a Jungian-based career inventory. If you are considering a Ph.D., what are to odds of landing a tenure-track position? What are employment trends?

Which path is better suited to your academic and career goals? What is the time commitment?

  • Master’s degree – Coursework or research option? Online? One year (accelerated) or two? Full- or part-time? Masters programs nearly always offer some sort of option and you will have to choose from them.
  • Ph.D. – Discuss timeline and milestones. Research and evaluate programs—A successful application requires a good deal of investigation into programs, course offerings, and faculty. This is one of the most important but most attention-starved steps.

A dialog with faculty and/or department chairs is an important component to the process and crucial for a Ph.D. applicant.

What programs should be on your list? How many?

Similarly, your present professors and advisors need to be groomed well in advance for letters of reference.

How to create a concise, relevant, and powerful CV/resume? Cover letter—Should you write one? What should be the content?

How should it be approached? This is the main element of your application—it has to immediately catch the eye of the reader. Be prepared for five or more iterations.

Often used by the committee to supplement the Statement of Purpose and to learn more about you as a person.

What are my options for funding my education? Which one is best for me?

If you are accepted to more than one program which one do you choose?