As unemployment rates are still extremely high hovering close to 10%, many young Americans are thinking about graduate school as a way to boost their resume and prolong entry into the work force. However, competition is also at an all time high while graduate programs also have less funding to take in as many students. The chair of my department told me that this year’s incoming class was the most qualified she had ever seen. So, it’s more important than ever to make sure you do all the steps for graduate entry.
First, it’s important to decide whether you truly need or want to go to graduate school. Especially, if you’re applying for programs in the humanities such as Philosophy or English where there is an enormous pool of applicants for very few positions and not a very bright future.
Are you applying to graduate school simply because you don’t know what you want to do? Because you’re having difficulties finding a job? Or are you certain that no other career path will be as satisfying or fulfilling as graduate study?
Going to graduate school simply to prolong entry into the work force is a bad idea. It would be better to get work experience and explore different career paths rather than spending 2-6 years in a graduate program.
However, if you are certain that this field of study excites you and definitely want to continue studies then keep reading.
First off, you obviously need a strong transcript with a good GPA and strong GRE scores. If you have already finished undergraduate education then you can’t change your GPA. That’s fine. You can easily improve your GRE base line scores by 100-400 points though. It just requires consistent studying for a month or two.
Any weak part of your application can be compensated in another area.
Graduate school is all about research. While teaching is a great recommended skill, they are looking for future researchers in their field. Unlike undergraduate admissions, they are not judging your overall intelligence or leadership, but rather or not you would fit in with their research aims.
Gaining research experience is perhaps the most important thing you can do to get into graduate school. It naturally also leads to strong recommendation leaders and a compelling personal statement.
If you’re applying for a field that requires a lot of foreign languages such as Philosophy, an Area Studies (Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, etc), or Religious Studies then knowing languages will also be extremely crucial, on par with research. It can take years for a person to learn a new language and by already knowing a foreign language, you are proving yourself to the committee.
Since the program is essentially looking for people who fit in, it’s important to find programs that match your interests. Look at the faculty research, read their articles and books, and figure out if there are at least two professors you would be interested in doing research with. Tailor your personal statement towards how you would be a valuable asset to their research and show your passion for that research area.
Finally, I would really recommend attending a conference or visiting the school in person before or during the application process. By connecting a human face and personality with an application name, your chances are much higher to getting in. Every field has its own conferences where all the professors come together. It’s worth the few hundred dollars (or sometimes free) to attend. After all, you have already spent hundreds of dollars on GRE testing and application fees. Come in with knowledgeable questions showing your skill in the field, dress professionally, and know the program inside and out.
Once you are accepted into programs, I would suggest choosing the one with the most funding. However, some fields just do not give funding or sometimes opportunities in a lesser funded but better program can be rewarding.