By Selena Adetunji, CITL Marketing Intern 

The process of applying to graduate school can be daunting. Need some guiding advice to get you situated? Read on to learn about the steps you can take when it comes to applying to grad school.

Know Your “Why”

Why do you want to go to graduate school? Figuring out the reasons why you want to further pursue your education will give you insight into why grad school may or may not be the best path for you. Do you have a passion for the subject you studied during undergrad or found something else you are passionate about and want to pursue it at greater lengths? Do you want to be academically challenged? What are your professional and personal goals? What are your academic strengths and weaknesses? Will this degree help you advance your career or earning potential? Overall, you want to know if graduate school will provide you with the return on investment that you are looking for.

Start Your Grad School Application Process Early

Meeting all the requirements and deadlines may be a process, so starting as early as possible will give you room to solve any problems that may arise. When making your list of schools, consider having a dream school, a target school, and a safety school and have at least one school for each category. Do extensive research on the school, grad program, and faculty to see if it is the right program. Sign up for open house days, reach out to current students, or speak with those who have already gone.  Make sure to submit results from grad school exams, write personal statements or essays, and provide transcripts or references. With references, try to ask at least 3 - 6 months before your application deadline. Not all grad school applications are the same, so consider creating a master calendar of deadlines and a list of requirements so that you can stay ahead. Make sure to double check your work and any requirements as well. If you run into any problems while filling out the application or have some concerns, when in doubt, ask. Admission officers are readily available to answer your questions and clarify any concerns you may have.  

Get Your Personal Statement Together 

With your personal statement, you want to figure out how you can capture the admission officer’s attention. You want to demonstrate how your goals, experiences, and abilities will benefit the program and how well you’ll fit and thrive in the environment. Choose references that know you well enough to back up your claims. Get to know your audience by doing research on the school by checking the school’s website, their social media, or asking those who currently attend. Read and follow the prompt carefully and double check your work.

Learn From Rejection 

Rejection can be tough and discouraging, but learning from it is a great way to keep pushing forward. Look at it like this: you can always apply again and now you know the process better, so you can prepare even more. Take the time to determine how you can improve your application. You can get another pair of eyes to look over your personal statement and give you some advice. Gain relevant experience through extracurricular activities, internships, or research opportunities. Improve your resume and portfolio. Have a professional take a look at both and see what edits you can make to increase your chances. If you can, follow up with the admissions officer to see if they have insight concerning your application. 


Considering applying to the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign for graduate school? Visit the Graduate College’s FAQ admissions webpage to answer any questions you may have concerning the application process or just to learn more. Good luck on your applications!