Applications: Part 1

Time to talk grad school applications!

Each program/school is different. My process of applying began after getting my GRE scores. That way I knew which schools I qualified for. However, some schools will take a low GRE score if your GPA, recommendation letters, or resume are outstanding. I was fortunate enough to ask an prior professor who attended there--her mother also used to teach there. Reason for getting in? Possibly. Here were my stats for getting into a Communication Studies graduate program at a state university:

GPA--3.04
GRE--Q: 145, V: 144, AW: 3
Letters: College professor and president of a college
3 weeks before the deadline
Solid personal statement
Writing samples

Like I said, everything I submitted was low... sometimes I think the school accepted me because there wasn't a great pool to choose from :/ Meh, at least I'm accepted. This will be the ultimate test to get (next to) perfect grades. I mean, I'm hoping a 4.0 Master's degree with teaching experience at the university level will be a great weight on my med school applications..?

There isn't much you can do about your old GPA and GRE scores (unless you take it again). So work heavily on getting a great letter of recommendation. The owner of a large and well-known company you worked for or the president of a college. Before you ask, assume that they'll say "yes" and have a folder with a list of things you want them to say in the letter--specifics on what the program is looking for that you possess. I was applying for a teaching assistant and had my "recommendors" mention that I substituted for a school district and community college for a year and also worked at a college.


Here are some general tips of advice:

1. Setting an EARLY enough goal. Find out those deadlines and submit the application as soon as you can afford the application fee. (I'm saying that because I applied right after graduating and didn't have much money...! !)
2. Find out WHAT the application wants you to send. Do they provide writing prompts or a sample? Are there personal statement questions or do you BS it? Transcripts? Sometimes the school wants double of everything sent to Records and Registration AND the division. 
3. Call the program director and establish an interest. Better yet, VISIT. Ask EVERYTHING about the application and coursework. I say coursework because that gives you a better feel for their program outside of what the website tells you. I was dead set on attending one school, but once I started talking about the coursework, it didn't feel right for me. I'm glad I visited.

That's it for now. Thanks so much for reading!

Current love affairs: NYC, France (Je t'amie!), Ella, beer, graduate school, hospitals, MDs, weddings, pianos, Broadway, and memories.