Grad School Application Tips

Jason Tougaw

Now that most of my anxieties about grad school have been cleared up, I thought it would be a good idea to reflect on my own experiences and provide a few tips about the application process in general. (Of course, I am also speaking from an English/ Humanities background so keep in mind that some of the things I mention here may not apply to other disciplines, such as science or business.)

I think the first step is always to have clear understanding of your own goals and what you hope to accomplish in grad school. For instance, I knew that I definitely wanted to enter an English PhD program, but the difficult part was narrowing down my area of concentration, i.e. American or English lit. and the specific movements or periods I wanted to explore. It took me a really long time to decide on specifics and I am still learning more about my field and revising my original plans.

But when you do have a better sense of your goals, this will make it easier to find out what universities and programs will be best for you. One of the most important things you should be looking for when deciding on a grad program is a supportive environment with professors who are of course interested in your field of study. I would say that researching the universities you would like to attend is an important and often time-consuming process. So before immediately opting for Ivy League colleges, take the time to scroll through the faculty profiles of a number of different schools, to see if these professors are researching or interested in similar topics. You can even try contacting a few of them before applying to learn more about the program- it is a great way to network and discover if these professors are accessible to students.

After finalizing a list of schools, which should include a mix of selections from top, middle and lower tier programs, you should also check out the application requirements and deadlines for each. What helped me keep track of everything I needed to personalize for each program was setting up a comprehensive table that included these various details for each school.

Every university has its own unique set of requirements, but of course there are a lot of elements that tend to overlap. I will briefly discuss some components of the application process and my advice below:

  • GRE Scores– All students applying to grad school are required to take the GRE general exam, but a lot of people tend to fixate on these test scores. For the record, I would not agonize over the exam because from what I have heard and my personal experience, your GPA and other components of the application, such as recommendation letters, personal statement and writing sample, are weighed much more heavily on the admissions committee. In addition, some universities may require you to take a GRE subject test depending on your discipline. For instance, I had to take the GRE subject test on English Literature, which was a horrifying experience, but thankfully a lot of schools are not really concerned with your scores and many, including Columbia,  have made the test optional.

  • Personal statement/ Statement of purpose– It is perhaps one of the most important elements of your application because this is where you will communicate to the admissions committee what exactly makes you and your interests unique, as well as how you think the program will suit you. Sharon has a great blog entry that provides more details and tips about this particular  component:

    (http://sharon.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu/2010/03/28/personal-statement-tips/).

  • Writing Sample– For English majors in particular, the writing sample is crucial because it lets you “show off” both your writing and research skills. Definitely decide on a topic early on and really work, preferably over the summer before you apply, on developing a really solid paper that you can show to your professors for feedback.

  • Recommendation Letters– Most graduate programs require three recommendations from professors in your department. You should select your recommenders very carefully, keeping in mind those who can write letters that bring out your best qualities, both in terms of your classroom participation and your character in general.

  • Resume/ CV– A lot of programs make this component optional, but I think that sending a resume/ CV is always a good idea because it allows the admissions committee to see the various activities and work you do outside of an academic environment. So unless your resume/CV is barren, send it in because I doubt it could hurt.

  • Application Fees– Applying to grad school can be extremely expensive, especially when you add up expenses for sending transcripts, GRE scores, and the application processing fee. If you want to become a professor, there are several programs you can apply to that can help you pay for these fees such as the CUNY Pipeline Program and the Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers (IRT, which is open more broadly to individuals looking to become teachers). Also, if you are a Macaulay Honors student, you can use part of your stipend to pay for ten graduate school application fees.

Okay, so that’s all of the advice I have for now. If you have any more specific questions about any of the components I have mentioned above, feel free to post a comment or email me. Good luck to everyone who is struggling through the application process!