Applying to Graduate School

• Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Master of Education (M.Ed.): usually 1-2 year programs that include focused coursework and either a comprehensive examination, thesis, or practical experience
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): anywhere between 4-10 years to complete (depending on the discipline), and focuses on independent, original research

• Master of Business Administration (M.B.A): 1-2 year program
• Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.): 4-year program plus a residency of 3-8 years
• Juris Doctor (J.D.): usually 3 years to complete, required to practice law

• Online application – Follow the instructions on the program admissions page carefully.
• Personal statement – The personal statement discusses how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. This should explain the reason why you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree.
• Letters of recommendation (usually 2-3) – You should focus on developing good relationships with your letter writers so they can write you strong letters of recommendation. Programs will typically email your letter writers to send them a link to upload the letter to your application. You can also use Interfolio’s Dossier to collect letters.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume – Graduate programs will typically request a CV to highlight your academic and research experiences.
• Transcripts for all college classes – You will need to submit transcripts for all colleges and universities attended.
• Standardized exam (GRE, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, etc.) – Check to see if the programs you are applying to require standardized exams, as not all of them have this requirement.
• Financial aid forms – Check the financial aid pages for the programs you’re applying to see what forms you need to submit and the deadlines for each.

*Check with each university and program for specific application material requirements.

Most programs that begin in the fall have application deadlines between December and February.

Medical, law, and other professional programs typically use rolling admissions, meaning they review and accept applications on an ongoing basis before the deadline. For these programs, applying early in the cycle can significantly improve your chances.

Apply when you’re confident you’re a strong and competitive candidate—ideally, you only want to apply once. Consider the following questions to assess your candidacy for each program you are applying to.

• Do you have a GPA above the minimum or within the accepted ranges?
• Do you have a score above the required standardized exam score, if one is required?
• Do you have all the required or recommended hands-on experiences? Some programs may have experience requirements.
• Do you have strong letters of recommendation for the minimum number of letters required?
• Does your personal statement clearly demonstrate your motivation for the program you are applying to?
• Have you researched each program to explain why you are a good fit for the one you are applying to? This is typically shared in the statement of purpose or other essays.