Are you getting ready to apply to
graduate or professional school and wonder what you will need to
provide? According to the College Board, you may be asked for any
or all of the following:
- Application fee
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- Most colleges and universities charge a non-refundable
application fee.
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- Many will waive the fee for applicants from low-income
families.
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- Check with the individual schools.
- Application form
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- Almost all institutions will require an official application
form that provides information about your background, previous
education, and graduate school plans.
- College transcripts
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- You will probably be required to supply the institution with a
copy of your undergraduate academic transcript.
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- Requests for transcripts may be made at the Registrar's Office
or in Academic Records.
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- Admissions test scores
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- Many colleges require that you take one or more standardized
admissions tests.
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- Plan to take these tests several months before the application
deadline to allow enough time to report the score to each
college.
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- Letters of
recommendation
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- Most graduate schools require that you submit one or more
letters of recommendation from a professor, advisor, counselor,
alumnus, or adult member of the community.
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- If possible, choose people who not only know you well, but who
are also familiar with the graduate school you want to attend.
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- Depending on the program, you may want to use faculty members
as well as professionals in your field.
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- Be sure to provide plenty of time for people to write these
letters for you.
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- Bring them the recommendation form, and a self-addressed
stamped envelope if necessary.
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- You may also want to supply your references with a copy of your
resume or relevant coursework to help them write you an appropriate
recommendation.
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- Personal essay
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- Some institutions require a personal essay or autobiographical
statement.
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- The essay can be especially important if you are not able to
have an interview.
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- This is your chance to express personally your background,
interests and goals, and why you are interested in this graduate
field of study and the particular institution.
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- Read the essay instructions carefully, paying careful attention
to length limitations.
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- The best essay will be clear, concise and to the point.
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- Show the graduate school that you are articulate, realistic,
and a competent writer.
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- Grammar, punctuation, and spelling count, so be sure that your
essay is perfect before you submit it with your application.
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- Interview
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- Many colleges require or recommend an interview of all or some
of their applicants.
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- Whether it is required or not, it is to your benefit to set up
an interview. This is your chance to express personally your
background, interests and goals, and why you are interested in this
graduate field of study.
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- The interview is also a chance for the institution to see how
you react to stress and handle pressure situations.
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- You may also be asked to address such topics as your motivation
for graduate study, areas of interest, personal philosophy, career
goals, related research, and work experience. Prepare and dress for
a graduate interview as you would a job interview.
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- Below are some example questions you could be asked:
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- Below are some example questions you as the interviewee may
want to ask:
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- Audition/Portfolio
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- If you are applying for admission to a particular program at
the university, such as music, art or design, you may have to
demonstrate or document prior work.
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- Each institution's requirements are included in their graduate
school catalog.
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- Most programs set specific requirements as to what material is
appropriate for the audition, how long the performance should be,
whether it should be memorized, and so on.
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