Graduate School Applications

Applying to Graduate School: Master's and Ph.D. Programs

Careers in the sciences often require continuing education in the form of Master’s degrees or even Ph.D.s. And while there are similarities between these applications and the undergraduate application process, there are a lot of things that may be new to you. We’re here to help you navigate all of it.

Planning for Graduate School Applications

When considering what graduate programs might be right for you, be sure to take the following elements into consideration.

  • Program Alignment: How does this school/program align with your personal mission, values, interests and goals?
  • Geographical Location: Do you want to be close to home? Or are you ready to explore the world? Where do you want to live for the next two to ten years?
  • Research Opportunities: Most graduate school experiences involve research. For this reason, it’s important to consider which faculty would you be interested in working with at this school/program?
  • Program Outreach: Once you’ve selected a few schools that you would be interested in attending and read up on the varying research areas of faculty, send an introduction email to two or three faculty members at each school whose research you find interesting. This is a great way to learn more about the program and is fundamental to admissions as graduate school placements (particularly science Ph.D.s) are often largely dependent on faculty members accepting students to their labs.
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Writing Your Essays

Personal statements are often one of the most overwhelming pieces of the graduate school application process. In fact, as you begin to apply you may notice that different schools talk about this in different ways. You may see programs require slightly different versions of this document; pay close attention to the school’s website to determine which content is most relevant for each type of essay but generally, here’s what you can expect:

  • Personal Statement: This document typically highlights your experiences up until this point, and discusses how you developed an interest in this area. Essentially, a personal statement should answer the question: “Why are you interested in this work? How have you developed your skills and understanding of this industry?”
  • Academic/Research Statement: In this essay, we will focus more on your future goals and research interests. In general, academic/research statements should provide more detail about “your future plans in this industry and how this program will help you to achieve your goals.”
  • Statement of Purpose: The most common format we see in graduate school applications combines the premises of the two essays above. In a statement of purpose, you’ll be asked to address: “Where did your initial interest in this work come from? How have you developed your skills over time? What do you hope to do in the future and how will this program prepare you to achieve those goals?"

LB Career Personal Statement Guide: Grad School Edition


 

Tailoring Your Resume

Getting your resume application ready is a critical step in the graduate school application process; from formatting your document to developing your content, use these resources to tailor your resume for this unique purpose.

Gathering Letters of Recommendation

While you may not need them for another few years, getting letters of recommendation starts at the beginning of every interaction you have with professors, advisors, and professionals in your industry. Use this guide to track your connections with potential letter writers, and to develop emails for making the ask! 

Letter of Recommendation Guide


 

Preparing for Grad School Interviews

You made it to the interview round: This is a great indication you're doing something right! Get ready for your interview by researching the school, preparing to answer common questions, and making a plan to follow up.

Interview Resources

Watch and Learn: Interview Strategies Video

Develop Your Content: Interview Strategies Workbook

Download this workbook for some good strategies and tips to crush your interview.

Practice Your Interview Skills

In addition to doing a mock interview with our team, you can practice with Interview Stream, a free online resource from the MSU Career Services Network.

Career Questions

Questions?

For additional resources on applying to graduate programs, connect with an LBC Career Advisor. 

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Graduate School Application Booklets by LBC Career

Personal Statement Guide: Grad School Edition

Your Guide to Letters of Rec

Your Guide to Letters of Rec: From Making Connections to Making the Ask

Interview Tips & Tricks

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Testing Resources

Testing Requirements

Some graduate programs may require you to take the Graduate Readiness Examination (GRE)—a standardized exam for admission. For more information, visit the testing website directly. NOTE: It is always best to check the website for programs you plan to apply to, for a full picture of testing requirements.

Grad School: GRE

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