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Graduate School

Every year about 20% of graduating seniors enter a graduate program. And approximately 45% of working graduates indicate that they plan to attend graduate school in the future.

Of those pursuing graduate study from the Class of 2019, 98% were accepted into their first or second choice of schools. As you think about whether graduate or professional school is right for you, connect with your faculty advisors and the Boerigter Center staff for assistance.

TIMETABLE CHECKLIST FOR APPLYING

Begin planning for graduate school at least one year before you’d like to enter. Below is an approximate planning schedule. Some schools will have rolling admission, and others will have a standard deadline. Submit your application as early as possible (October) if a school has a rolling submission.

Junior Year/Summer (at least one year Before entering graD school)

• Start browsing through guides to graduate programs and college or university websites
• Prepare and register for required standardized tests
• Determine test requirements, application deadlines and test dates
• Meet with faculty members to discuss programs
• Investigate national scholarships

Senior Year/September

• Take standardized test(s) if you haven’t already
• Draft your statement of purpose or personal essay
• Research financial aid resources, fellowships and assistantships
• Discuss your statement of purpose and possible programs with faculty members
• Request letters of recommendation early
• Update your resume and have it reviewed by the Boerigter Center

October/November

• Apply for fellowships, grants, assistantships and scholarships
• Give your letter of recommendation writers the proper forms and addresses for sending their letters
• Send thank-you cards to your writers
• Prepare with a mock interview through the Boerigter Center
• Order official transcripts from the Registrar’s Office; check to see if fall semester grades can be sent in time to meet deadlines

March/April

• Discuss acceptances, rejections and options with faculty and/or Boerigter Center staff
• If you would like to defer enrollment for one year, contact your graduate department
• If you are rejected for admission, contact the school to discuss reasons for your rejection and gain suggestions on how to get admitted in the future
• If you are applying for need-based financial aid, you may need to file a copy of your income tax return

HOW DO I PAY FOR IT?

Monetary support to attend graduate or professional school is available from several sources:

• Universities
• Government
• Banks
• Private foundations
• National scholarships

Information about financial aid can be found from:

• Graduate or professional school websites
• Descriptive literature published by universities
• Government units and foundations
• Individual faculty and staff members

Financial support for graduate education may vary widely among institutions. Thoroughly investigate the availability of financial aid in all its forms as you progress through the admissions process. The Boerigter Center can assist you in this process.

Deadlines

Deadlines are usually quite early. Request a financial aid application when you ask for admissions application materials.

Types of Financial Aid

Fellowship — Graduate-level equivalent to a scholarship

• Typically competitive and given on the basis of scholastic achievement
• Contact the school’s financial aid department for more information
• May also be available from the federal government through the institution to which you are applying

Teaching or Research Assistantships — Often available through the academic program of study

• Typically 10–20 hours per week in exchange for a stipend and/or waived or reduced tuition
• Request for information should be made to the department of the program that interests you

Resident Assistant or Residence Directors — Programs in which graduate students earn a stipend or room and board (or both) by living and working in undergraduate residence halls

College Work-Study Program — Part-time employment opportunities during the academic year, as well as part- or full-time summer opportunities

Find scholarships and fellowships 

Applying to Graduate/Professional School

The process of applying to graduate and professional schools can be seen as a complicated process. This brief video will guide you through the key planning steps for applying to programs, including admissions exams, factors to consider when choosing a program, and financial considerations.

Developing Your Personal Statement for Graduate/Professional School

Sometimes the biggest challenge in writing a personal statement is knowing where and how to begin. This brief video provides key planning markers and reflective questions to help you establish the foundational elements of creating your personal statement draft.