Gather information early. It is a good idea to begin seriously considering graduate school at least a year before you begin further study. Application deadlines vary, and it is important to know a particular institution’s deadline well in advance. Generally speaking, the deadlines fall between January and March. Applications by those requesting consideration of financial support (scholarships/assistantships) always have earlier deadlines. Some schools have rolling admissions, which means they accept students throughout the year and may not have a particular deadline.
Most schools have information available on their Web sites. Increasingly, they are expecting your application materials to be completed online.
Colleges and universities usually require specific graduate admissions tests, and departments sometimes have their own requirements as well. Most programs will require the following items:
Application Form
Make sure it is neat. Before typing your final version, prepare copies for practice versions.
Essay
The essay varies from school to school and is often the most difficult part of the application process. Your essay should be well organized, succinct, customized, and proofread. Remember to stay on topic and consider your audience. The essay is your chance to demonstrate why you want to attend graduate school, your strengths and achievements, and why you are interested in a particular department or program. The essay should represent your best writing efforts. It is a good idea to ask for input from others on your essay. Faculty members who are involved in graduate programs are often good mentors in this process. You can also take advantage of the writing lab to have your essay proofread. You can contact the Writing Center at 260-481-5740. Keep in mind that when evaluating essays, admission committees may consider the following influences in their decisions:
Expectations of the program and future career opportunities
Major areas of interest
Writing ability
Research or work experience
Immediate and long-term goals
Educational background
Reasons for pursuing graduate studies at that institution and in a particular field
Maturity level
Personal uniqueness — what you have to add to the diversity of the entering class
Transcripts
Official transcripts for IPFW students can be obtained by contacting the Office of the Registrar (Kettler Hall, Room 107). You can also visit www.ipfw.edu/registrar for more information on obtaining transcripts.
Standardized Tests
All standardized tests are offered periodically throughout the year. The commonly taken tests are the GRE (for most academic disciplines), GMAT (business), MAT (psychology, education), LSAT (law), and MCAT (medicine).
Prepare for your exam by studying test guides and software, enrolling in test preparation courses, or taking practice tests. Guides are available at libraries and bookstores.
Check with the school where you are applying to see when you should take the test. It is a good idea to take the entrance exam during your junior year or the beginning of your senior year. It typically takes six weeks for your scores to reach the schools when you are applying. You may retake the exam to improve your score, and the results are valid for up to five years.
Contact Testing Services (Kettler Hall, Room 232B, 260-481-6600) for more information regarding these tests.
Letters of Recommendation
It is a good idea to start this process early and allow enough time for the authors of each letter to complete the task. Select faculty and professionals who know you well and are recent references. Ask them if they can make a strong recommendation for you. Prepare them with the following information: recommendation form, due date, stamped and addressed envelope (unless their materials are to be sent electronically), and supporting documents such as a résumé, transcript, and research papers. Make sure they know your deadlines. It is a good idea to select at least one extra reference in case you fall short. Remember to thank your references, and stay in contact with them.
Application Timeline
End of Junior Year
Research areas of interest, institutions, and programs.
Talk with your advisors about application requirements.
Register and prepare for appropriate graduate admission tests.
Investigate national scholarships and financial aid.
Summer before Senior Year
Request application materials.
Take required graduate admission tests.
Visit schools of interest.
Write your application essay.
Check on application deadlines and rolling admissions.
For medical, dental, osteopathy, podiatry, or law school, you may need to register for the national application or data assembly service most programs use.
First Semester of Senior Year
Obtain letters of recommendation.
Take graduate admission tests if you haven’t already, or retake if so desired.
Submit completed applications.
Last Semester of Senior Year
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and financial aid profile, if required (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and turn in at the beginning of January.
Check with schools to ensure application file is complete.
Once accepted, visit schools to which you have been accepted.
Send deposits, fall transcripts, and registration material.
Notify other universities that accepted you of your decision, so that they may admit other students on their waiting lists.
Send thank-you notes to people who wrote you letters of recommendation, informing them of your success.
American Universities An extensive listing of American colleges and universities with links to their web sites.
Educational Testing Service Network (ETSNet) For information on (and links to) GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, and PRAXIS as well as practice tests where you can try some sample questions online. Also, scholarships, financial aid tools, tips and resources.
FastWEB For graduate fellowships/scholorships. Fill out an indivudual profile which enables fast WEB to search for scholarships based on specific majors, heritage, memberships, etc.
FinAid Options for funding a postgraduate education, info on GRE, admissions testing, schlorships and fellowships. Aid for Graduate and Professional School: Includes Business, Law and Medical School.
GRADSCHOOLS.COM Check for graduate school opportunities. Find out which schools offer programs in your field or which programs are available at a chosen school.
Graduate Management Admission Council (MBA Explorer) The Graduate Management Administration Council (GMAC) provides information about graduate business schools, admissions and testing, as well tips on financing your MBA.
Graduate School Guide A comprehensive on-line guide to Doctoral, Master's and Professional Degree programs. Includes "Questions to ask when applying to Graduate School".
There are many reasons to pursue a graduate education. Some of the best reasons for enrolling in a graduate program are the love of a particular subject of study and the desire to study it in depth or the need for an advanced degree to enter the profession of your choice. Unfortunately, some students will use graduate school as a way to temporarily delay career decisions. Students who are apprehensive about entering the job market should carefully evaluate their decisions to enter graduate school. In some instances, an advanced degree will increase your marketability, while in other instances, additional work experience in your field will be more relevant. Consult with a staff member in Career Services for more information. Many students will also face pressure to attend graduate school from parents, peers, or mentors. Make sure any advice taken reaffirms your professional goals. Graduate school is self-directed, and it can be difficult for a student to be successful in graduate school when not self-motivated.
Why Graduate School
Are you prepared to commit to a career field?
Perhaps you are interested in attending graduate school but are unable to select a specific field or degree program. You will want to spend some time defining your interests before graduation. Visit the Career Services resources library, use FOCUS (a computerized career exploration program), talk with faculty members, read educational institution literature, and consider an internship or co-op. If those exercises aren’t helpful, you may want to consider gaining a year or two of work experience to enhance your perspective.
Have you given some thought to your long-range career and lifestyle goals?
Whatever your motives are for attending graduate school, it is a good idea to think about the impact this decision will have on your life. Will the degree prepare you for a specific occupation or career field? If so, what is the employment outlook for that field? When you select a field of graduate study, you are also defining a profession and lifestyle. Make arrangements to talk with professionals in that field about the benefits and liabilities of that path. Currently enrolled graduate students are also useful sources of information. A full-time master’s program will typically take two years to complete, while doctorates and some professional degrees require an additional three or more years. Part-time enrollment will require additional time and may even be discouraged at some universities. During this time period, you will focus intensely on your academic subjects and the individuals in your program. You will typically forfeit a competitive salary, workday routine, and leisure time. Are you comfortable with the thought of living the lifestyle of a student for a few more years?
Is it worth the financial investment?
Given the costs that you and your family have incurred over the past few years, this can be a legitimate concern. Everyone places a different value on education, and ultimately you will need to decide if graduate school is worth the financial sacrifice. Before making that decision, however, you should familiarize yourself with potential funding sources. Fellowships or scholarships may be awarded by individual departments or institutions as well as outside organizations. Institution-based aid most frequently takes the form of a graduate assistantship. Graduate, teaching, or research assistants work part time in exchange for a stipend and tuition reimbursement. Federal loans are also available to many graduate students. The types of aid available to you will vary tremendously from one institution to another. Make sure you investigate these options carefully before making any decisions.
Reputation
Is the program/institution nationally recognized? Is it recognized on a regional or local level? If you choose to look into program rankings, be advised that there is no single rating for graduate or professional schools that is universally accepted. Read several different reports and ask faculty members about the reputations of the programs you are considering.
Questions to Ask about the Program of Study
What emphasis does the program use?
How many students are enrolled in the program?
What is the student mix and attrition rate?
Location
Is this an area in which you want to spend two or more years? Ties that you develop here could also lead to jobs in this area. Be sure to consider the cost of living in the area when weighing total expenses.
Time Commitment/Attrition
How long does it take to complete the program and what percentage of students who begin actually complete their degree?
Postgraduate School Employment
Where do graduates of the program typically find work? What are the job market trends in your chosen field? How much assistance is provided by the institution to find employment?
Entrance Requirements
Do you meet the prerequisite requirements, GPA, and graduate admission test scores?
Faculty
Are the faculty conducting research in areas that are of interest to you? Are professors seen on the cutting edge of their field? What have they published? What is the student-faculty ratio? Have you visited the campus to meet with any faculty to discuss the program?
Facilities
What type of housing is available? How extensive and available are labs and facilities? How comprehensive is the library? What computer and laboratory resources are available?
Cost and Scholarships/Aid
Keep in mind that it can sometimes cost less to go to a school that seems expensive at first. Internships, fellowships, and assistantships that offer tuition and a stipend in exchange for teaching or working on campus can offset the costs of graduate school.
Where can I find more information?
Graduate and professional school information is available in the Helmke Library and Career Services, and may be available in various academic departments. Career Services has some graduate and professional school catalogs and copies of the IPFW Graduate Bulletin. Information about graduate admissions tests (GRE, LSAT, etc.) is available through Testing Services (Kettler 232B, 260-481-6600). Make an appointment with one of our staff members or a faculty member in your department to review your graduate school admissions strategy.
Published Guides: Peterson’s guides to graduate school are a highly recommended series.
Professional Journals and Associations: It is a good idea to find out which faculty members are publishing in professional journals in your field — read their author profiles to find out where they are teaching. Professional associations often publish lists of accredited programs, and you can either look on the association Web site or write to the association for information.
Published Rankings: Groups publish rankings of graduate programs each year. U.S. News and World Report, The Gourman Report, and McLean’s are good places to start. It is important to remember that these rankings are subjective and do not provide information about professors, job placement records, financial aid possibilities, or politics.
American Universities An extensive listing of American colleges and universities with links to their web sites.
Educational Testing Service Network (ETSNet) For information on (and links to) GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, and PRAXIS as well as practice tests where you can try some sample questions online. Also, scholarships, financial aid tools, tips and resources.
FastWEB For graduate fellowships/scholorships. Fill out an indivudual profile which enables fast WEB to search for scholarships based on specific majors, heritage, memberships, etc.
FinAid Options for funding a postgraduate education, info on GRE, admissions testing, schlorships and fellowships. Aid for Graduate and Professional School: Includes Business, Law and Medical School.
GRADSCHOOLS.COM Check for graduate school opportunities. Find out which schools offer programs in your field or which programs are available at a chosen school.
Graduate Management Admission Council (MBA Explorer) The Graduate Management Administration Council (GMAC) provides information about graduate business schools, admissions and testing, as well tips on financing your MBA.
Graduate School Guide A comprehensive on-line guide to Doctoral, Master's and Professional Degree programs. Includes "Questions to ask when applying to Graduate School".
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