According to a recent study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 46% of jobs openings from 2019 to 2029 will require a graduate-level degree such as a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree.
Jobs requiring graduate degrees are also the fastest-growing within the U.S. economy and are projected to increase more than any other type in the next few years.
As you can see, there are many benefits to receiving a graduate-level degree. However, it can be difficult to know where to even start.
Grad school is a huge life-changing commitment. It is essential to properly plan and prepare for grad school to ensure success. From preparing to apply, the application process, and preparing for your first day of classes, here is everything you need to know to prepare for grad school.
Preparing to Apply
There are many steps to take before applying to grad school. Here are the major things to do and consider before you apply for grad school.
Graduate-Level Standardized Tests
The first thing you’ll want to do is check to see if the program you’re applying to requires graduate-level standardized test scores. Most programs require scores from either the GRE, GMAT, LSAT (law), or MCAT (medical).
If you need to submit standardized test scores as part of your application, then schedule your exams early. You will want ample time to study for the exams.
Most programs have minimum score requirements that you must meet to be eligible for the program. So, if you don’t get a score higher than the minimum required score, you don’t get into the graduate program. This is why we recommend spending one to three months (at least) studying for the standardized test.
Secondly, you should take the test early in case you don’t perform as well as you’d like the first time. This will leave you enough time to re-take the exam before applications are due.
For example, if your application is due in December, schedule your first exam during the summer. That way, if you need to take it again, you can take it in the fall with plenty of time to spare.
Choosing Which Programs to Apply To
Deciding which programs to apply to will depend on a lot of factors. Some you may have already thought about, others may be new.
Online Versus On-Campus
First, think about your flexibility. Do you need/plan to maintain a full-time job while pursuing your degree? If so, then consider an online program or a program that offers evening or weekend classes.
Many graduate fields of study do not offer online programs. This is the case for non-traditional tracks, smaller fields, as well as fields that require hands-on experience. Be sure to look into the options for various fields to find the best program for your lifestyle and goals.
Location
Can you relocate? If you can move to another city or state, there will be more program options available to you.
However, you should think about where you would be comfortable living. Graduate school is hard enough on its own. Having to complete school in a city or state you don’t enjoy will only make it more difficult. Location should be an important factor when considering where to apply for grad school.
Think about how far away from friends and family you’d be comfortable living. Also, consider the climate and living costs of each location.
If you can’t relocate, then consider applying to both on-campus programs near you as well as online programs. This will open up your opportunities and odds of getting accepted.
Program Fit
After deciding on your flexibility, you should weigh programs based on how closely they align with your interests and long-term career goals. This is probably the most important factor when choosing the best grad school for you.
If you’re going to attend grad school for a common business, law, or medical degree, look for programs that include the sub-foci you’re interested in within that field. For example, if you want to practice environmental law, choose a program that includes an environmental law track and has faculty members who are experienced in environmental law.
This is important for non-traditional or non-practice fields of study (such as fields that are research and theory-focused), too. The choice of the graduate program should depend heavily on the subfield foci of the department and the expertise and research of the faculty members. Look for programs and faculty members who specialize in topics similar to the ones you are interested in.
For example, the field of anthropology is highly broad with various subfields that have their own sub-foci within each subfield. If you’re pursuing an anthropology degree but want to focus specifically on ancient DNA, then you should only apply to programs that include courses on ancient DNA and faculty who study and teach ancient DNA.
A great way to see what programs and faculty specialize in is to scroll through the department’s faculty webpage. This will feature short biographies of faculty research and courses they teach.
You can also attend conferences specific to the field you’re interested in studying to see what students and faculty are presenting from a variety of programs across the U.S. This is a great way to network, meet faculty members, and ask questions about programs.
Lastly, consider what you want to do with your graduate degree. Are you planning to apply to work in the industry sector? Or do you want to work in academia?
Answering this question will help you decide whether to choose a program with an applied focus (trains students to use the degree out in the real world) or a program that trains students to stay in academia and research and teach for a university.
Advisors and Committee Members
Part of grad school is working with a faculty advisor. If you have to complete a thesis or dissertation, you will also have a committee of faculty members who act as your mentors.
Deciding on the best grad school to apply to and attend will largely be based on the advisor you want to work under. Advisors should have expertise in the topics of your interest as well as fit your academic and personal needs.
You should reach out via email and set up a meeting with potential advisors before applying to the program. This will allow you to better understand the work they do and get a feel for their personality and advisement styles.
Ultimately, these meetings are critical to helping you know if the faculty member is a good fit and will be able to provide you with the support you will need. The best advisor will ensure you choose the best grad school for you.
Opportunities Within The Program
The more opportunities available to you while in grad school, the better you’ll be prepared for the job market when you graduate.
Compare and contrast the opportunities across programs. Ask about research opportunities, networking, internships, jobs, and teaching opportunities while in grad school.
Of course, the most important opportunity to inquire and compare is funding. Funding for graduate students can vary depending on the type of funding. Fellowships help cover the cost of tuition and pay the student a stipend for living expenses without asking for anything in return.
The most common funding in graduate school comes from teaching or research assistantships. Many graduate students will teach, assist instructors, or conduct research for a department. In return, their tuition is covered and they get financial help from a small salary.
If the program offers to fund students, ask about how much. Compare and contrast across programs and consider living costs across various cities and states.
Lastly, opportunities after graduate school are important, too. Look at the job placements of recent graduates from each program to see which programs have been most successful in helping their students find solid job opportunities.
Applying to Grad School
After you are prepared to apply to grad school, you can start the application process.
Apply to Multiple Programs
Getting into a graduate program is not an easy task. To improve your chances, you should apply to multiple programs.
Plus, a program that may not be your first choice at the time of applying may end up offering you more benefits like better funding, a moving stipend, and/or more research opportunities.
Invest Plenty of Time
Applications to graduate schools are time-consuming and require many pieces. First, note in a document or spreadsheet when each application is due to each program you plan to apply to.
Then, give yourself at least a few months to work on applications. You’ll need a personal statement for each graduate program explaining why you should be accepted. Some programs also require a statement of purpose which entails your goals and purpose of being there.
You will also need to submit letters of recommendation. Most programs ask for at least three letters. To be respectful of your recommenders, you should give them at least a couple of months’ notice.
When requesting letters of recommendation, be sure to provide your personal statement, CV, the address (either mailing or email) to send the letter, and the deadlines for letter submissions.
Official transcripts from your undergraduate program (and master’s if you’re applying to a Ph.D. program) are needed, too. Sometimes it can take a month to receive these. So, again, be sure to request and prepare for grad school applications early.
And don’t forget about your standardized test scores. You can request the scores from the test provider or have the test provider send the scores directly to the program department.
You will also need some dough to apply for grad school. Graduate school applications cost, on average, $75 to $100 per application. However, they can be even more expensive for highly sought-after programs such as medical and law schools.
You’re in! Now, How to Prepare for Grad School
So, you’ve been accepted into a graduate degree program and you’re ready to start school. What should you do to prepare for grad school?
Plan Your Trajectory
Set your goals for within grad school as well as after. Think about where you are in life. What do you want your timeline to look like? When do you want to finish school? Do you have life events (marriage, children, etc.) that may alter your trajectory?
After you have thought about the big-picture, plan accordingly. Plan when to take your qualifying exams, when to have your research proposal submitted, and when you want to graduate.
Get Organized
Buy a planner and use it every day. Write down your schedule and note deadlines based on the syllabi.
If syllabi aren’t published yet, request them from your instructors. You can also ask about which books to order to get a head start and feel more prepared. Definitely order your books before the semester begins.
Buy and designate notebooks and folders for each course. This will help you stay organized and come in handy when you need to find specific class notes, a reading, or an assignment. Plus, it will make studying significantly easier.
By the way – plan to take notes by hand. Studies show handwritten note-taking is more effective for learning and memory.
Financial Preparation
Grad school can be costly. However, there are a few ways to reduce the cost and various financial assistance options.
First, if you’re employed (and planning to stay employed)- check to see if your employer offers tuition reimbursement or financial assistance.
Second, apply for funding opportunities. As mentioned, most programs have opportunities for students to work as instructors, teaching assistants, or research assistants for a tuition waiver and small stipend.
You can also search for work-study opportunities. These are more common for undergraduate students, but sometimes departments hire graduate students to work in the office or as undergraduate advisors.
There are also fellowships and scholarships for graduate students. Search for internal scholarships and fellowships from your university online or ask your graduate director for a list. You can also look for funding opportunities from outside organizations (e.g., National Science Foundation).
If you need to take out student loans for financial help, fill out the FAFSA long before the semester begins. The FAFSA determines if you’re eligible for student loans and how much you can receive each semester.
Use Your Network
Your advisor and graduate director are there to support you. Meet with them regularly to plan your courses, goals, and ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and help when needed (it’s their job!).
Other students are also a valuable resource. Especially those who are further along in the program. Ask them questions and get feedback on all things grad school.
Set Priorities Ahead of Time and Remember Self-Care
Work-life balance is important in graduate school, but so much of the time it gets lost. It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the work and over-commit to where you wind up having zero free time to do things you enjoy. Overworking and stress from grad school can place a burden on your mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as strain relationships.
So, one of the best ways to prepare for grad school is to make a plan (before you start coursework) as to how you’re going to work on self-care and downtime. If you have a partner or family member, discuss it with them and make a plan of when to spend time together.
Some ways to ensure self-care include scheduling exercises such as fitness classes, jogs, sports, etc. In addition, be sure to schedule at least one weekend day off each week. Whether it’s Saturday or Sunday, or both, if you can manage it, you won’t regret the much-needed breaks.
Also, remember to be kind to yourself. Don’t guilt yourself when you take time off. Don’t put pressure on yourself to always have everything done perfectly.
If falling behind, ask for help and/or extra time. Graduate school is a time to grow and most faculty members will be understanding and flexible because they want you to succeed.
You’re Prepared!
Applying and preparing for grad school is a lengthy and difficult process. With this guide, you have everything you need to prepare for grad school and ensure your success. Follow it step by step from preparing to apply to preparing for your courses.
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