10 easy steps to Masters / Graduate School Application
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Starting a graduate school application can be overwhelming. Figuring out where to start, what schools to apply to, application deadlines, and finding out what graduate school offers your preferred course can be daunting. Below are a few proven steps that if followed, should take you from ground zero all the way to grad school.
1. Start Early
Start early. Give yourself up to a year prior to starting your grad school application to do your research. This includes researching your grad schools, grad course of study and if studying abroad, research your destination countries. You might need to research the graduate studies application deadline in your chosen grad school. Be sure to check your exact course as application deadlines might vary within the same grad school.
2. Get Organized
Your grad school application requires laser focus and pinpoint organization. I found it useful using an organizer, where I had three of my chosen grad school admission deadlines highlighted. This will keep you on track, serving as a guide throughout the graduate school application process.
3. Select 3 Grad Schools
Go on Google or your preferred search engine and research your chosen course in your chosen country, e.g. write Human resource courses in Canada. Based on the results that come up on the search engine, select the top 3 graduate schools that work best for you. Write your chosen schools in your organizer.
4. Figure the Application Deadline and Prepare for Applicable Application Tests
The first thing to do after selecting 3 or more schools would be to figure the admission application deadline for each school and note it in your grad school admission organizer. This way you know how to pace yourself.
Be sure to research the qualification tests required by your selected graduate school. If tests such as the IELTS are required, you will need to book a test date as soon as you can. Factor in test scoring time to avoid delay.
5. Gather Your Credentials And Other Required Documents
Graduate school application documents requirements vary from one grad school to another. If you are studying abroad, your requirements might be different from that of local students. You might be required to get your transcripts or other credentials assessed, it is important to factor in enough time for this. Some countries require credential assessment, be sure to apply for this as soon as possible.
6. Apply For Scholarships
Applying for scholarships is not my forte, it becomes inevitable however at the face of graduate studies expenses, and even more, if you are going to be an international student. Be sure to research as many available resources as you can. From race-specific scholarships, gender-specific scholarships, country/continent-specific scholarships to subject-specific scholarships, comb them all out online. Applying for scholarships should top your to-do list as most scholarships are time-sensitive.
7. Apply For Admission
By now you have done so much work on your application. You have gathered all required documents for your grad school application and you have received your test results as they might form part of your application documents. The next step is to send your application package to the graduate schools you selected. This can be done as soon as the grad school opens up the application portal for the year in question.
8. Apply For Your Travel Documents
If you are studying abroad, you will need travel documents. Research the travel documents peculiar to your situation early enough. If your study destination is Canada, you can start your study permit application here. Application processing periods for travel documents vary from one country to the other, be sure to factor in the processing period. This can get you stuck if not settled early enough.
RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDY PERMIT
Tips: Apply for your travel documents as soon as you receive your grad school admission letter. If you observe delays in receiving your travel documents, contact your grad school at your earliest convenience to defer your admission to the next session.
9. Prepare For The Weather
If you are studying abroad, the weather conditions in your destination country might be absolutely different from that of your home country. Be sure to research appropriate weather clothing and get all you will need before leaving your home country.
10. Land On Time
Congrats, all your hard work has paid off!! You have been granted admission into grad school and your travel documents are all ready. It is important to get to your grad school before the orientation day and welcome dinners. You will want to factor this in while booking your travel tickets. It is absolutely a good start to have a formal induction into your graduate school.
5. Gather Your Credentials And Other Required Documents
Graduate school application documents requirements vary from one grad school to another. If you are studying abroad, your requirements might be different from that of local students. You might be required to get your transcripts or other credentials assessed, it is important to factor in enough time for this. Some countries require credential assessment, be sure to apply for this as soon as possible.
6. Apply For Scholarships
Applying for scholarships is not my forte, it becomes inevitable however at the face of graduate studies expenses, and even more, if you are going to be an international student. Be sure to research as many available resources as you can. From race-specific scholarships, gender-specific scholarships, country/continent-specific scholarships to subject-specific scholarships, comb them all out online. Applying for scholarships should top your to-do list as most scholarships are time-sensitive.
7. Apply For Admission
By now you have done so much work on your application. You have gathered all required documents for your grad school application and you have received your test results as they might form part of your application documents. The next step is to send your application package to the graduate schools you selected. This can be done as soon as the grad school opens up the application portal for the year in question.
8. Apply For Your Travel Documents
If you are studying abroad, you will need travel documents. Research the travel documents peculiar to your situation early enough. If your study destination is Canada, you can start your study permit application here. Application processing periods for travel documents vary from one country to the other, be sure to factor in the processing period. This can get you stuck if not settled early enough.
RELATED ARTICLE: HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRADUATE SCHOOL STUDY PERMIT
Tips: Apply for your travel documents as soon as you receive your grad school admission letter. If you observe delays in receiving your travel documents, contact your grad school at your earliest convenience to defer your admission to the next session.
9. Prepare For The Weather
If you are studying abroad, the weather conditions in your destination country might be absolutely different from that of your home country. Be sure to research appropriate weather clothing and get all you will need before leaving your home country.
10. Land On Time
Congrats, all your hard work has paid off!! You have been granted admission into grad school and your travel documents are all ready. It is important to get to your grad school before the orientation day and welcome dinners. You will want to factor this in while booking your travel tickets. It is absolutely a good start to have a formal induction into your graduate school.
By Jumoke Eniola Odepe
Guelph.
Guelph.