key grad admission item

Getting Into Your School of Choice

There are only a few admissions slots compared to the number of application received. So prepare your application submission carefully.

A general guide to follow:

1. Hedge Your Bets:
   submit your application to an assembled list of graduate programs that you'd like to attend.
2. Submit on Time:
   Note the application deadlines for all of your schools. Application submission is generally 6-9 months prior to the start date of the program.
3. Show Strong Academics:
   if your college academics are weak, study hard for the graduate exams and write an outstanding essay.
4. Show Strong Work Experience:
   many graduate programs require professional experience in your undergraduate field. It is not the number of years experience, but rather the depth and growth in your career that gets high marks for admissions.
5. Study for the Tests:
   Study hard to achieve high graduate admittance test scores. An above-average test score is NOT an automated ticket to admission. But it does add points in your favor with many programs.
6. Submit Good Essays and Recommendations:
   Here is an opportunity to show your creativeness and leadership skills by writing strong essays and having good recommendations from leaders in your profession and community.
7. Display Professional - Community Leadership:
   Finally, colleges admit applicants who display leadership skills in their professions and from participation in clubs, communities, church groups, and other extracurricular activities.

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key grad admission item

Graduate Admission Exams

Register to take your graduate entrance exam prior to submitting your graduate school application.

It is best to take the exam within a 6-12 month window of your application submission.

Some programs may request you re-take the exam if your exam scores are several years old. It is also recommended that you take the exam only once. Some programs may average your exam scores if you have multiple test scores.

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key grad admission item

Graduate Submission Deadlines

9-12 Months Before Starting School

• Select the graduate programs that you desire to attend.
• Obtain the applications from the school.
• Decide who you will ask to write your recommendations.
• Keep a track of important dates. You don't want to miss a deadline.

7-9 Months Before Starting School

• Begin working on your essays.
• Collect your letters of recommendations.
• Complete the application in preparation for submission
• Make plenty of copies of your essays, letters of recommendations and application.

6-8 Months Before Starting School

• Complete applications for normal admissions.
• Start looking for housing, if required.

5-7 Months Before Starting School

• Get your undergraduate transcripts sent to your intended schools.
• Your school should be sending out acceptance letters.

3-6 Months Before Starting School

• Finalize your admissions requirements:
  
  — housing
  — final transcripts
  — registrations
  — medical checks
  — other

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key grad prep item

Submit Application Forms

Prepare for the Graduate School Application:

• Many schools now allow for e-applications where you can submit one form to multiple schools. This will save you time from having to complete multiple application that ask for the same information.
• Obtain the applications from the school.

Your graduate admissions will likely require 3 or more essays. Don't wait until the last minute to write and edit your essays. The essay is an important decisional component for many graduate admissions.

Get Good Recommendations:

• Most graduate admissions require 2 or more recommendations from managers and leaders in your profession, undergraduate teachers, and/or community leaders.
• You need to find someone who has had some association with you in your profession and outside activities. Give the person plenty of time to write the recommendation (about 4-6 weeks prior to your deadline).

Transcripts and Activities:

• arrange with your undergraduate college (and any other degree awarded colleges and programs) to forward required transcripts to select graduate programs.
• some graduate programs may request your High School transcripts, especially if you you lack post-graduate experience. Be prepared to request your high school to forward transcripts if required.
• You want to show well-roundness in your application. Just the right amount of work experience and outside activities. Graduate admission offices like to review candidates with community service on their application.

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