The process for my application to the University of Pennsylvania was one that I allowed to stretch over a few months. If you truly want to get into a university, especially an Ivy League, you want to make sure that your application, in its entirety, is a well-rounded combination of 1) University Requirements 2) What you have accomplished and 3) WHO YOU ARE. Graduate School applications give you multiple ways for you to show your character and credentials but you have to take time to strategize and make sure that all of these things show in the collective pictures. Where you lack in some places, you must make upp for in others, otherwise you may have someone with a more well-rounded application take your spot.
1. Research the program
In order for you to know what needs to be highlighted in your app, you have to know what the program requires and what it offers as well. If you know that taking 5 courses at the 300 or 400 level is necessary to even be considered, you can assess if you meet that requirement. It also helps to make references to the program to show that you’ve read and understood some of the expectations of the program. Graduate school has a lot of focus on research and universities will be analyzing everything that you say. Mentioning knowledge of the program shows research skills without even being admitted into the program (yet!).
2. Highlight your credentials
There are a few ways to do this. In most applications there are spaces where you have an opportunity to write small answers. For example, one blank on my application was to “Describe any underrepresented groups that you may represent” or something along those lines. I talked about being African American, being a woman and being a non-native Spanish speaker attempting to join a program dominated by native speakers! The question was optional, but “optional” only means “who’s going to go the extra mile?” Not only did I fully elaborate my thought, but I made sure to tell them how much diversity that I alone offer to the program. By the time they read through the general application, they should already be excited to know more about you.
YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT OF INTEREST
This can be defined or described many universities differently but in a nutshell, they all require the same general information. Grad schools want to know why you want to pursue a specific degree, why you want to do it at their university and what makes you worth accepting. This is your chance to illuminate your experiences relevant to the program and if your specific research interests are a fit for them! Think of it like this: The programs will be researching YOU. Give them ALL THE FACTS THEY NEED to say “Hey! This applicant is qualified!”. Don’t give too much personality and not enough substance, but don’t give substance and no personality. Show who you are, what you’ve done and make the other applicants look like the waiting list!
3. Make sure ALL of your supporting documents BACK YOU UP!
So what if you’ve written the most amazing personal statement in the world, if your transcript looks like crap, then so will you. If your writing sample is full of errors, that is what they will think of you. Your transcript, test scores and application should be backed up by amazing writing samples, a thorough personal statement, and a resume that highlights you even more. Every requirement for the application should be taken as an opportunity for you to point out something more new and improved about yourself!
4. RESPECT DEADLINES
For me, I did everything right! I knew my application due dates by the beginning of September and I paced myself accordingly. Unfortunately there was a last minute due date change and I had less than FIVE days to get my entire application in! I am proud to say, that date change did NOT stop me. Knowing due dates for the information is important for pacing yourself and also, for making sure that the universities sees you know how to get things done on time. Don’t be the one begging the Ivy Leagues to accept your late application.
5. TRY YOUR BEST
If you are anything like me, you will do whatever it takes to get the job done. I put 100% into every single portion, even down to the fill in the blanks for my name and address. If you do not put your all into it, you will not be satisfied in the end. Ivy League universities accept less than 10% of their applicants. I’m sure none of those accepted just threw their application together. I haven’t been accepted yet, but I know the application I put together will make it very, very hard for them to turn me away.
How much effort did you put into your grad school applications?
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