Graduate school is an advanced program of study centered on
a specific academic discipline or profession. Although graduate
programs vary significantly, in general, they prioritize studies in a
specific discipline, involve smaller classes and greater expectations for
students’ work, and include scholarly research and/or hands-on work
experience in the form of a practicum, internship or teaching.
Graduate School
Application Process
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Northwestern College
712.707.7225
This guide will walk you through the following 9 steps in
the graduate school application process:
1. Decide if Grad School is the Right Choice for You
2. Research Graduate Programs
3. Give yourself Plenty of Time to Apply
4. Take the Necessary Graduate Admission Tests
5. Apply for Financial Aid
6. Request Letters of Recommendation
7. Write Your Personal Statements
8. Assemble Remaining Materials
9. Prepare for Graduate School Interviews
3 Different Levels
MASTER’S DEGREES are available in a wide variety
of academic disciplines. Some can lead to a doctoral
degree, but others are the “terminal” degree in the
field (Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Business
Administration (MBA), Master of Social Work (MSW),
and Master of Library Science (MLS)). Master’s degrees
usually take two years to complete if enrolled full time.
SPECIALIST DEGREES are typically earned beyond
a master’s degree and involve additional coursework,
training or internships. These degrees usually lead to
professional certification (i.e. Ed.S. for a Specialist of
Education, or a Psy.S. for a Specialist in Psychology).
DOCTORAL DEGREES are the highest degree level
and usually involve the creation of new knowledge
through independent research. Typically these
degrees require five to seven years to complete,
including the time to write and defend a dissertation.
Graduate School
Guide
Some graduate programs are academic in nature, with
a focus on creating original research. Others are more
professional, with a focus on developing knowledge
and skills for a specific field. Some are a combination.
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Northwestern College
712.707.7225
1. Decide if Grad School is the Right Choice for You
As you weigh this decision, consider these questions:
• How certain are you about the career or field you
want to enter? If you are absolutely convinced of the
degree you want to pursue, then consider starting a
graduate degree in that discipline. However, if you are
not 100% confident, then spend some time working,
interning or volunteering in the field (or conducting
informational interviews with people who have pursued
a specific degree or career in the field). Doing so could
give you insight—without the investment of time and
money in a graduate program. Do not go to graduate
school unless you are convinced it is the right fit.
• Can you pursue your desired career without
a graduate degree? If so, then taking some time
to work or volunteer in the field before pursuing a
graduate degree could give you greater insight into
the need for graduate study. Also, time away from
an academic environment can be valuable; graduate
school admissions committees oen look favorably
on applicants who made a conscious decision to gain
experience and then return to school. If you cannot
pursue your desired career without a graduate degree
(i.e. you want to be a medical doctor, a lawyer or a college
professor), then going straight from undergraduate
studies to graduate school is probably a smart choice.
• Do you have the qualifications necessary for a
specific graduate program? Choose a graduate
program most appropriate to your academic level and
experience. Before applying to a program, assess your
qualifications in light of the requirements outlined by the
department.
• Is now the best time for graduate school? Even if you
know that graduate school is in your future, it is important
to consider the timing. If you work for a while in the field
and find an employer who offers educational incentives,
could you get their financial support to pursue graduate
school? Will you be better able to focus on graduate
school aer you have paid off your college debt?
• More specifically, could a gap year (or longer) be a
wise choice? There can be merit in taking a gap year or
more to gain professional experience before attending
graduate school. In fact, many professors claim that
students with real-world experience make better graduate
students because they understand their field better, they
know the roles they hope to assume in their field, they
ask better questions, and they are more invested in their
education overall. Consider a gap year (or longer) if:
o You were not able to log the observation hours,
volunteer hours, or job shadowing experiences as
an undergraduate that are recommended by some
graduate programs.
o You need rich experiences that you can write about in
your personal statements and talk about in your graduate
interviews. Application committee members usually
want their candidates to have concrete work experience
in the field so they know what they are getting into.
o Your GPA and test scores are not as strong as you
would like, and a recommendation from a supervisor
who knows your work in the field could strengthen your
application.
o You are looking for some cross-cultural or global
experience. Some people take advantage of the year
aer undergraduate studies to travel or volunteer
abroad. This can be especially advantageous for
people who wish to pursue a graduate degree with an
international, cross-cultural or language focus.
• How will you pay for this graduate degree? Will you
work full or part time while you pursue your graduate
degree? Could you be eligible for continuing education
funds from your employer? Would you go to graduate
school full time and be eligible for a fellowship,
assistantship, scholarship or grant? If you go into debt
for this degree, would you be able to start paying it back
(in addition to any undergraduate debt) immediately
upon graduation?
continued on next page
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Northwestern College
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1. Decide if Grad School is the Right Choice for You (cont.)
2. Research Graduate Programs
• Are you motivated to engage in the following
activities? You want to make sure that you have the
determination to succeed in a graduate program, so
weigh your aptitude for continued work in:
o Reading – If you enjoy reading professional journals
or publications in your field of study, then chances are
good you will enjoy delving into the specifics of this
discipline. Know that graduate study requires copious
amounts of independent reading.
o Writing – You will likely write as much, if not more, than
you did in college (depending on your major). Oen
your capstone project is a written thesis or a similarly
extensive presentation of your research findings.
o Research – Research is a vital part of any graduate
program, so be prepared for engaging in significant
research even if you are not doing a thesis or dissertation.
If you secure a research assistantship, you will complete
research for your professor in addition to your own.
Once you decide to pursue graduate school, the next step is
to research programs that best fit your needs and interests.
• Aer searching broadly for potential programs, visit
each program’s website to learn more. Note that the
program’s website is the best place to find specific
information about the application process and to
request more information from an admissions counselor.
• Conduct informational interviews with current students
or alumni of the graduate programs you are considering.
They can offer valuable firsthand knowledge.
• Tell your professors that you are researching graduate
programs and that you welcome their input on which
schools to consider. They have likely been through this
decision process themselves. Furthermore, they may
know colleagues or past students who have attended
the programs you are considering.
o Statistics – Most graduate programs require a
statistics course. You may want to take an undergraduate
or summer course in preparation, especially if you have
not taken a mathematics course recently.
o Giving presentations – As a graduate student,
you will deliver many presentations in class and/
or as part of your research findings. You may even
teach undergraduate classes as a teaching assistant
or ultimately defend your research to a dissertation or
thesis committee. Strong public speaking skills will help
you communicate effectively.
o Organization & time management – Graduate
school will require that you juggle multiple assignments
and activities, especially if you are working as a teaching
or research assistant. The stronger your organizational
skills, the easier it will be to manage your time and
responsibilities.
• Attend fairs and virtual events hosted by graduate
schools. Many programs host fairs and online information
sessions where you can learn about professors, classes,
application requirements and costs. You can also find
events like this on Handshake.
• Prioritize the factors that matter most to you:
– Location
– Academic quality and reputation
– School or program size
– Faculty expertise and mentorship possibilities
– Internship or practicum possibilities
– Frequency and applicability of course offerings
– Timeframe for completion
– Admissions requirements, including test scores, GPA,
recommendations and entrance exams
– Faith component
– Costs, including tuition and fees, the cost of living,
transportation/parking, and financial aid
– Campus culture, community and student life
– Campus facilities and services (if in person) or
accessibility to resources (if online)
– Employment outcomes, professional networking
connections and career assistance
Sample websites focused on graduate study:
GradSchools.com
Peterson’s Graduate Schools
US News – Best Graduate Schools
The Princeton Review – Grad Programs
Ramaker Center
Northwestern College
712.707.7225
3. Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Apply
While most graduate school application deadlines
fall between November and February, they can vary
significantly. (For instance, medical school application
deadlines can be very different because most U.S. medical
schools use the American Medical College Application
Service as the primary application method.) Consult
the websites of the graduate programs in which you
are interested to determine their application deadlines.
Note that there are likely different deadlines for applying
to graduate programs and applying for financial aid.
Pay special attention to these details, and consider the
following timeline when managing your applications:
JUNIOR YEAR
• If possible, begin researching graduate programs during
your junior year. Visit programs’ websites, request
promotional material, and talk to current students,
alumni or faculty from the program.
• Start looking into financial aid resources.
• Register for any required standardized tests, and take at
least one practice test.
• Identify the faculty members or professionals you would
like to ask to write letters of recommendation for you.
• Review your unofficial transcript, as well as the
procedures for how to request an official one.
• Take any required standardized tests.
SENIOR YEAR (SUMMER & FALL SEMESTER)
• Write the first dra of your statement of purpose, and
make an appointment in Handshake for a Compass
Center staff person to review it.
• Request your letters of recommendation from faculty/
professionals.
• Visit the campuses, if possible, and talk to people who
can answer your questions.
• Write the final dra of your statement of purpose.
• Submit your applications.
• Apply for any financial aid, i.e. assistantships,
scholarships or fellowships.
SENIOR YEAR (SPRING SEMESTER)
• Submit federal and state financial aid applications.
• If you have not already, try to visit the campuses.
• Talk to people who can help you make your final decision.
• Follow up with graduate programs to make sure your
application is complete.
• Aer receiving acceptance from the school of your
choice, submit the deposit and politely decline the
acceptances to other schools.
• Write thank you notes to the people who helped you
through this process.
$
Ramaker Center
Northwestern College
712.707.7225
4. Take the Necessary Graduate Admission Tests
5. Apply for Financial Aid
Most graduate schools require test scores for admission.
These tests include the following:
• The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) General
and Subject Tests are required by most master’s and
doctoral-level graduate programs. The GRE General Test
consists of three parts: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative
Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The GRE Subject
Tests are available for six disciplines: Biology, Chemistry,
Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and
Psychology.
• The MAT (Miller Analogies Test) assesses one’s
analytical thinking and can sometimes be an alternative
to the GRE.
• The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
is usually required by MBA programs.
• The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is necessary
for entry to law school.
• The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is for
medical school admission.
• The TOEFL English proficiency test is a required
entrance exam for many international students.
• Other career fields like dentistry and optometry have
their own admission tests, so carefully research your
field of interest.
Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA). This typically opens in October for the
following academic year.
Explore whether you can apply for any of these financial aid
options for graduate study:
• Assistantships are typically campus work assignments
(i.e. graduate teaching assistant or research associate)
that cover tuition costs and provide a small stipend.
• Fellowships usually cover graduate students’ living
expenses while they conduct research or work on a
project. They are typically awarded by merit as measured
by grades, GRE scores, letters of recommendation or
publications.
Be sure to study for the test and take at least one practice
test. Also, register early for the test so you are able to
take it on your desired date. Most computer-based tests
like the GRE General Test and the GMAT do not have
registration deadlines, but they are offered on a first-come,
first-served basis. Other tests, like the GRE Subject Test,
require registration up to six weeks in advance of the exam
date. Check with each testing organization for its specific
policies. You will want to receive your final test scores well
before any application deadlines. This is especially true
if you decide to take the test more than once to improve
your score.
GoGrad’s Graduate Examination Guides (gograd.org)
are helpful resources for learning more about the GRE,
GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and TOEFL. Chegg (chegg.com)
and Mometrix Academy (mometrix.com) offer study tips
and guides for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and more. Kaplan
(kaptest.com) offers test prep courses.
• Scholarships are usually awarded based on financial
need, merit, discipline of study, career goals, or
membership in a minority group. Some of the most
coveted scholarships in America are the Rhodes
Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, Harry S. Truman
Scholarship, and Churchill Scholarship.
• Grants are usually awarded to cover expenses
associated with research or other projects and are
typically allotted for travel, computers or materials. A
coveted grant for students, scholars, teachers, artists
and scientists is the Fulbright Scholar Program grant.
• Loans are available from the government or private
sources.
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Northwestern College
712.707.7225
6. Request Letters of Recommendation
8. Assemble Remaining Materials
7. Write Your Personal Statement
Many graduate school applications require three letters of
recommendation, so think ahead about who you would
like to approach about writing a letter of recommendation
on your behalf. Ask professors who can speak to your
academic ability and motivation, as well as previous
supervisors who can address specific projects you have
completed, your work ethic, or your experience in the
field. Only ask people whom you know will give a glowing
recommendation. If you question whether they will submit
a strong letter, ask them if they feel they know you and your
work well enough to write a good letter. If they express
reluctance, it may be wise to ask someone else.
Before asking your recommenders to write a letter for you,
schedule a time to sit down with them and explain your
plans. In order to offer a good recommendation, they
should be clear on where you are applying, what degree
you are pursuing, and your professional goals. Follow up
in writing with your recommenders, detailing to whom
they address the letter, its due date, and the method for
submission (paper, electronic, etc.). Go the extra mile and
provide your recommenders with a summary of your top
A completed application typically includes graduate
admission test scores, letters of recommendation, and
a personal statement. However, it may also include the
following:
• A completed online application form
• An application fee
• A resume or curriculum vitae. Let a staff member in the
Compass Center assist you with polishing your resume
before you upload it to your application.
A personal statement is an essay you submit as part of your graduate school application. For detailed information about
writing a personal statement, please see the Compass Center’s Personal Statement Guide.
qualifications for graduate school, including courses you
took (especially the courses you took from them and the
grades you earned), the topics of any research studies you
conducted or major papers you wrote, any internships or
projects you completed in your field, and leadership or
extracurricular involvement. You cannot expect professors
or supervisors to remember details about your education
and work, but you want them to include specific
information in their recommendation letters; do them a
favor and remind them of these details. Additionally, be
willing to share any supplemental materials with them, like
your resume/CV, writing samples, unofficial transcript,
and the personal statement for your application.
Finally, be considerate of your recommenders and their
busy schedules. Approach them about writing a letter
on your behalf at least six weeks before the deadline,
although eight to 10 weeks is ideal. Follow up politely if
they need a reminder. A few weeks before the application
deadline, confirm that your recommenders have submitted
their letters and double check that they are showing up as
a completed part of your application.
• Official transcripts from all of the higher education
institutions you have attended. To request an official
transcript, contact the registrar’s office at your current
and previous universities.
• A writing sample. Some graduate programs will request
a portion of your thesis, an analytical paper, a newspaper
article, a work of fiction, a poem, or a screenplay. Submit
your best work and adhere to their requirements (i.e. if
they want a five-page writing sample and your paper is
10 pages, only submit five pages).
9. Prepare for Graduate School Interviews
Aer You Submit Your Applications...
Ramaker Center
Northwestern College
712.707.7225
Many graduate schools require an interview as part of the application
process. Review the Compass Center’s Interview Guide for more
information on how best to prepare, and schedule at least one mock
interview with someone from our team.
SCHEDULE
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Confirm receipt of all required materials.
If you have not already received confirmation that your complete application was correctly submitted,
call the graduate program office at least a week prior to the application deadline to ensure that they have
everything they need from you.
Send a thank you notes to your recommenders.
Send a handwritten thank you note to individuals who wrote recommendation letters for you. By showing
your gratitude, you are paving the way for asking for more letters or assistance in the future. Also, follow up
with your recommenders aer hearing from the schools to which you applied; they will want to know the
outcome of your applications.
Follow-up on rejection letters.
If you receive a rejection letter, make an effort to understand why you were not accepted. A polite telephone
call or email in which you inquire as to what you could do to improve your application is perfectly acceptable.
Express your willingness to learn and adjust. If you choose to apply again, only submit improved materials.
Surround yourself with support in graduate school.
Aer you enroll in a graduate program, you will need a community of support. Investing in a local church
or joining a parachurch organization can make a huge difference in helping you navigate the highs and
lows of your program. Consider connecting with one of the following organizations:
o Christian Grads Fellowship: www.christiangrads.org
o InterVarsity: www.intervarsity.org
o Cru: www.cru.org
This Graduate School Guide uses information from career.berkeley.edu/Grad/Grad and
owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/graduate_school_applications/index.html
