Some students eagerly look to life in the “real world,” while otther students are content to stay put just for now. Those students will continue their college life in pursuit of graduate school.

No matter when they make the decision, those who want to attend graduate school next year should start planning now. “The application process should begin early the previous fall,” Dr. Daniel Jones associate professor of chemistry, said when talking about the application process. Although most schools do not have deadlines until January or February, the process of filling out the application takes time.

Graduate programs look at many aspects of the application, including the student’s grades as an undergrad, their GRE scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and other required information.
 
The GRE is the Graduate Record Examination, a standardized test that most programs use to gain insight into the student’s basic math and language skills. According to the Educational Testing Service, which makes the exam, the GRE is comprised of three sections. Individuals use a computer to take all parts of the test.

The first section is always the analytical writing section, which has two tasks. Students are given 45 minutes for the Issue Task, which allows the individual to choose from two prompts. The half hour Argument Task only has one prompt that requires the test-taker to form a cohesive argument about the subject.

The other two sections of the test may come in any order. The Verbal section only takes 30 minutes, and will have multiple choice questions that evaluate a person’s vocabulary and ability to analyze written material. The Quantitative section has questions that evaluate “arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.”

The GRE may also have an unscored section hidden within the Quantitative and Verbal sections, but the person taking the test does not know which section will not receive a score. ETS sometimes adds an unscored Research section as well, but it is always the last part of the test.

In addition to the General GRE, some schools may require subject tests. ETS only offers subject tests in October, November, and December.

“I would consider grades and GRE scores as the most important [part of the application], with letters of recommendation a close third,” Jones said. “If either grades or GRE scores are weak, the letters of recommendation become more important, as they will address the weakness.”

Letters of recommendation can come from many places, but most students ask their professors. Applicants should select people who know them well. The application committee wants to see what type of person the student is on many levels, not just the academic.

The transcript will reflect the person’s ability to do well in a class, but did the student work hard to earn the grade or only show up to take the test? The letters of recommendation showcase qualities that the transcript misses, such as the ability to deal with failure, an eagerness to learn, and leadership qualities.

The personal statement gives the applicant their chance to make their case to the committee. Jones said, “[It is] statement in which the applicant would address such things as why he or she wants to pursue a particular course of study, what the applicant’s career goals are, why the particular school was chosen, and any special qualifications which the applicant might have.”

When students apply to graduate school they apply to the specific department instead of the general university. Students considering graduate school should look at many factors before deciding which one will work best for them.

“The applicant should be looking for a school or department strong in his or her area of interest and for a research advisor who will give good direction and demand good work,” Jones said. Many students research the potential advisors before applying to the program, and they may include their interest in a particular person’s work in their personal statement.

Jones cautions that it is difficult to gain too much insight into the personality of the advisor. “Candid conversations with the advisor’s current students can provide the best information,” he said.

In addition to the requirements listed above, many programs require other work. In the sciences, most graduate schools like to see the student published in refereed journals.

After the initial application, many schools will interview potential students. “The interview would come after the applicant had made the first cut,” Jones said, mentioning that only the strongest applicants usually receive interviews. Although not every school requires an interview, “The trend is in that direction,” Jones said.

After all of the work involved in the application process, most programs will revel their decisions in March. Then the students begin the task of selecting the right offer.