Prepare for Graduate School

By attending graduate school, students can earn master’s, doctoral, or professional degrees in their field of study. There are hundreds of different degrees available within these categories. 

Graduate school applications vary by school and program but often include a general application form, a personal statement, a résumé, letters of recommendation, a transcript, a standardized test score report (may not be required), and an application fee. All of these materials may be submitted via a centralized portal (like the Common App for undergraduate programs) or individually to each school. Some schools also require a secondary application be submitted, which often includes additional essays or personal statements, and/or an interview. If you are interested in a specific program, it’s best to look at their website to determine what is required and how to submit. 

It depends! Some reasons students take gap/growth years include to take a break from academics (especially if they are feeling burnt out after undergrad), save money, confirm their career interests, and/or build on their qualifications to get into graduate school. Other students prefer to continue on to graduate school right away because they have already confirmed their career interests (and may need a graduate degree to pursue that career) or they don’t want to take a break from being a student. You should choose whichever option makes sense for your career, finances, and mental health. 

Yes. Career coaches can provide guidance on graduate school funding resources, such as scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. We can also help with any application materials required for these funding sources, such as résumés or application essays.