Enjoy and learn from this video which provides practical advice from a professional. Carla Trujillo, Director of the University of California at Berkeley's Graduate Diversity Programme, offers key points, tips and suggestions on applying to graduate school.
Ms Trujillo goes into detail about each part of the graduate application process in a very encouraging a positive manner.
Check out also: Masters Admission
Getting started
Where should you apply? What faculty would you like to work with? How to select the best matching university and programme for your research interests and the best place for enjoying graduate school while building a potential for your professional growth and career.
Check out: How to Choose Schools for MBA or Master’s Programmes?
Preparing to apply
You will usually need three letters of recommendation. Faculty is very much involved in evaluating applications for graduate school and the letters of reference carry a lot of weight.
Ms Trujillo advises thinking about whom to ask for recommendations well in advance. She also gives guidelines about what calibre of faculty members can provide the most informative and convincing feedback about your potential for graduate school. She gives practical tips about how to approach a professor for a recommendation, and she also helps you prepare a CV/resume for your graduate application.
Testing
Graduate schools, especially in the US, usually require standardised tests such as the GRE, LSAT (for law school), GMAT (for business school), MCAT (for medical school). They can be quite challenging and you will need to plan enough time for preparation. Find more details in the video.
Your qualifications for graduate school
Ms Trujillo highlights how important your GPA is and what the value is of your research experience, along with any practical experience, such as internships.
Application essentials
Learn what the weight of the Statement of Purpose is in your application; learn about its format and what to highlight in this document. Understand what a Personal Statement is, and how it differs from the Statement or Purpose, and why you need both for a graduate application.
Financial aid
How to pay for graduate school is an essential question. You certainly need to plan a realistic budget well in advance. Learn what the options are of supporting yourself throughout graduate school and how to make the most of them.
Check out: The Best Way to Finance MBA Studies
Once accepted, what next?
An acceptance letter is the end of the application process, but also a beginning with no fewer challenges. How to choose between offers; what to do after you receive the long-awaited acceptance letter; what the formalities are. Get the advice of the Director of the University of California at Berkeley's Graduate Diversity Programme.
Enjoy this video. We hope it will be helpful. Any questions or comments are welcome below.
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