10 Tips for a Successful Grad School Search

Everyone finds their way to graduate school for different reasons. Maybe you need a master’s degree to advance in your career, it’s a personal life goal, or it’s a non-negotiable because your profession requires you to have one. Once you’ve decided on going, the search can be daunting. There are many options for grad school and the experience will (and should) be very different from your undergraduate study, so how you choose a school is critical. I talked to some of our current graduate students to hear their advice on how to make your search for graduate school a success. 

#1: Reflect on your “why.”

Graduate school is an investment of your time, energy, and money, and considering your “why” will help you on your search. Will a graduate degree be necessary in advancing your career or changing industries entirely? Are you looking to make more money? Is a graduate degree necessary for what your career goals are (earning credits to pursue licensure, for example)? Examining questions like these can help you narrow the scope on your search.

Unlike undergraduate studies, graduate studies are more focused in your discipline. As you begin to look at programs, read through course descriptions, learn about the faculty, and understand the course delivery to make sure they align with your goals. If you get a chance to talk to admissions, students, or faculty, many of them will ask you about your goals and being able to articulate what you’re looking for will help them help you! Finding mutual fit is important, and articulating your “why” in your search will help with honest, effective conversations.

#2: Connect with students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Connecting with as many people as you can will help you better decide if the school and program are a good fit. Find the admissions contacts on each school’s website and have questions ready for when you meet. If you’re speaking with someone in admissions and have questions about life on campus, see if they can connect you with a current student. Many schools offer student ambassador programs or have other ways to connect you with students, and learning about their experiences firsthand is critical. 

If you’ll be packing up and moving across the country for the first time, see if you can connect with a student that has done the same. If you’re curious about the community or what it’s like to be a student on campus (safety, what is student life like, extracurriculars, etc.), ask those questions to a current student. If you’re thinking about job outcomes, maybe consider connecting with an alum. 

It can be really effective to organize a phone call or a virtual or in-person meeting with a current student or alum, and come prepared with questions that will help you determine fit. Certainly, you can ask an admissions professional, faculty member, or student to “tell you about the program,” but the more you reflect on your interests and needs, the more likely you’ll be able to ask specific questions that can get you much more helpful answers. 

If you can get connected to a student or alum, here are some questions that might be helpful to ask:

• What is your favorite part and least favorite part of your program?
• Do you like the professors? Who is your favorite and why?
• What is your favorite class and why?
• What opportunities do you have outside of the classroom? (Internships, practicum, assistantships, etc.)
• What is one thing you wish you knew before starting this graduate program?
• What other schools did you apply to and what made you pick this one?

#3: Visit campus or attend in-person info sessions and events.

In-person events, like Open Houses, program information sessions, Accepted Students Days, or 1-1 student shadow visits, are the best way for you to explore a program, see a campus, and get firsthand experience. Finding your fit in the environment is important, and especially so if you are going to be attending classes in person or relocating for the program.

“There were many schools I had applied for that I did not visit. This certainly limited my information about those schools and almost subconsciously relegated them to a lower standing in my mind. By physically visiting a school, it is almost like putting a face to a name in which a student can see the amenities and the campus, not in words, but in reality.” – Thomas Gallagher, Master of Architecture ‘24

Since traveling to different campuses can get expensive, it might be helpful to narrow your list down to your top schools and utilize virtual visits before visiting in person. Reaching out to admissions offices early in your search to see when they’ll be holding events can also help you plan. Occasionally schools will offer discounts or deals for hotels when you visit, or they’ll offer travel grants if you end up committing. Many schools work with local hotels and businesses for university deals and discounts, so even if a school can’t cover your full visit, asking for suggestions with this can help offset costs.  

#4: Attend virtual info sessions.

While visiting in person is helpful if you can, travel can be expensive and taking time out of your schedule is not always possible. You may also want to save money to travel to schools for Accepted Students Days or events, and so just visiting for an exploratory Open House may not be feasible. Many schools have learned how to be creative in the virtual space and offer a variety of online events. 

See if there are virtual Open Houses or information sessions, and if not, ask if you can possibly get a virtual tour of campus or if there’s a way to virtually attend a class. Many admissions offices will do what they can to work with you, and could likely even set up a virtual meeting with a faculty member if you can’t attend a session. It’s worth asking to see if there’s anything you can do to learn about the program while getting the most authentic experience possible.

#5: Build and nurture your network. 

Connecting with your faculty while you’re still pursuing your undergraduate degree is very important when considering graduate school. Even if you know graduate school is part of your five-year plan, it can be difficult to go backwards. Ask professors to write you a letter while you are a student of theirs or while you’re working with them on a project or research. Faculty and staff interact with many students, and you want to make sure you get a recommendation that speaks to your unique skills and abilities as a student while it is fresh in their mind. You may have to go back and ask for them to submit it two years later, but it’s better to make those connections while you’re on campus.

To make a truly great impression and secure that coveted letter of recommendation, try to schedule time outside of class as well. Offer to buy your professor coffee, swing by their office hours, or get a meeting on their calendar. Come prepared with links of programs you’re applying to or with questions about graduate programs. Faculty are well-connected and may have tips for you in your search. Or, if you’re able to share specific programs, they could tailor a letter to your skills based on what you want to do or even connect you with faculty or students they know at those programs. 

“One thing that helped me was getting close to my undergrad professors. Applying to graduate school typically requires recommendation letters. Therefore, it is important to build relationships with professors early on. This is useful even for those not applying to graduate school.” - Leslie Gutierrez Castro, Forensic Mental Health Counseling ’24

Additionally, networking with people in your desired industry or trying to pursue an internship or career experience will really help you hone in on what you’re looking for at the graduate level. Maybe you think you need a doctorate to do the work you want to do, but in reality, you can save time and money and pursue a master’s degree while still achieving your desired outcome. Professionals in the field can give you some critical insights into what you actually need to prepare for your intended career.  

If you’re currently a student, your career services office may be able to connect you to alumni in the field or advise you on companies for you to contact. If you’re a working professional, try using LinkedIn to connect with people in your target industry, follow leading industry experts, join professional association groups, and respond to industry conversations and stories to engage with others. Consider asking professionals in your target industry about the degrees they pursued, their ability to juggle work and school commitments, and the value of earning an advanced degree in their field. You don’t need to follow someone’s exact blueprint, but networking in your field can provide some guidance and direction for your own search.

#6: Make your application stand out with a great personal statement and letters of recommendation.

For most graduate programs, your transcript and test scores aren’t necessarily the most important items in your application file. Strong letters of recommendation, a well-written personal statement, insights into your work experience, and other portions of your application play a very important role in the likelihood you receive an acceptance letter.  

Your personal statement is (potentially) your one chance in the application process to truly showcase who you are and share a bit about what makes you unique and a good fit for your intended program. Take the time in writing a good statement and be sure to address any areas that are important to the program. Some programs may offer interviews as well, so take advantage of these face-to-face opportunities to really demonstrate who you are beyond your grades or test scores.

While we know you’re likely applying to multiple schools and it’s easy to use the same statement across all of your applications, we recommend that you consider writing a different personal statement for each school. Some personal statements may have specific topics or questions to address, whereas others may be more open-ended. No matter what, it will be important to show the faculty or staff why you are a good fit for the program, what your career goals are, and demonstrate how you believe your intended program fits your goals. If you are doing research and there’s a specific faculty member you’d like to work with, mention it! If there’s a really great class you’re excited to take and it’s part of the required curriculum, consider adding it. If you had any struggles that adversely impacted your GPA in your undergraduate study (i.e. transitioning to online study during the pandemic), the personal statement may be a good opportunity to discuss it. 

Personal statements generally should not be a length autobiography, but if there’s a life event or circumstance that inspired your career path or academic interests, you can share it. Unless you can visit or interview beforehand virtually or in person, your materials might be your only opportunity to connect with the people deciding on your acceptance. You want to make sure they are confident in your abilities to succeed, that you understand the program you’re applying to, and that you’re a good fit for it.

#7: Know exactly what your career or industry needs.

Some careers require certifications or licensure to perform your work. This is common in disciplines in education, the health sciences, and psychology, among others. However, those requirements aren’t always obvious and it’s important to understand what you’ll need before you apply to graduate study, particularly as some licenses have academic and professional requirements. To further complicate matters, many of these requirements may differ by state, so if you’re pursuing a graduate program in a different state than where you plan to live or work, you’ll need to make sure your intended program aligns with your future needs. 

“I wish I knew more about the licensing process before applying to grad school. Make sure you have some idea of what state you would like to work in because each state is different in their process. If you are from another state like me, take into consideration whether you would like to return back to your home state or be elsewhere.” – Kelice Agosto, M.A. Forensic Mental Health Counseling, ‘23

Many life factors may make it hard to determine exactly where you will be at the end of your studies, but the more you can address these pieces up front, the easier it will be to select the right graduate program. 

#8: Plan your finances.

There can be a lot of costs associated with graduate school beyond just tuition and fees. Cost of living expenses like food, housing, books, and any extracurriculars also may need to be factored into your budget. Many graduate programs offer limited graduate housing, if at all, and if you have to relocate for a campus-based program, you will also have to consider rental costs. Full-time students are also generally required to have health insurance, so that may be an added cost if you aren’t already covered.  

The costs of graduate study can be intimidating, but you have many financial aid options. Master’s-level education is generally not fully-funded, though you may find some more funding options in doctoral programs. However, even with full funding options, you’ll generally be living on a small stipend. Creating a budget depending on all of these factors will be important. 

Check out our general video about financing your graduate education. Financial aid and student loans are options for you at the graduate level, and speaking with financial aid counselors as you start to narrow your search can be helpful. 

Programs may provide internal scholarships upon your acceptance, but you can also always search for external scholarships related to your personal demographics or career goals. You may also be able to pursue assistantships or on-campus jobs to help offset costs, though they are not always available. 

If you are presently working and able to pursue graduate education through your employer, it is helpful to speak with your company’s human resources department prior to applying for graduate study. Some companies provide partial or full tuition reimbursement, but there may be restrictions on your area of study or requirements to serve your company for a set period of time after earning your degree.  

#9: Stay organized.

Just like a job search, graduate school searches can get overwhelming if you’re looking at many schools and every one of them has different requirements. It can be helpful to set up a system for yourself, virtually or on paper, to stay on track and meet deadlines.

“One thing that helped me stay organized when applying was creating an Excel sheet with the different school’s app requirements and deadlines. It was easy to reference all the information needed in one place.” – Leslie Gutierrez Castro, Forensic Mental Health Counseling ’24

Keep in mind that even for programs within the same discipline, you may be asked to submit different materials. Programs may also operate with different deadlines or even rolling admission, and keeping these nuances straight can be challenging. Proper planning and organization can help ensure that you provide a good impression to admissions and faculty and may aid in a favorable admission decision. 

#10: Consider your lifestyle.

Delivery method, location, and program duration are all things to consider when choosing a graduate program. If you’re intending on being a full-time graduate student, you’re likely more open to campus-based study and can complete your degree more quickly. If you are working full-time, you’re probably looking for flexibility in how you can complete your coursework. Programs that offer evening or online study may be attractive, though you’ll likely need a little more time to complete your degree. 

Online study has grown substantially in popularity, particularly since the pandemic. If you intend to study online, you’ll need to determine if you want the flexibility to complete your coursework at any time (asynchronous study) or if you are open to participating in a live virtual class (synchronous study). Some schools also offer blended or hybrid programs with various combinations of in-class and online study. 

Sometimes students are limited on where they can pursue their studies if they have other commitments (i.e. family or work), so online or local, campus-based programs may be your only options. However, if you don’t need to restrict your options due to geography, you may find there is a vast array of programs available to you that can meet your exact needs. 

If you’ve made it this far, I’ve saved my best tip for last: never be afraid to ask questions! The worst thing that can happen if you cold call or email a school is that you won’t hear back, but the likelihood is that someone will respond or forward you along. If you can find faculty contacts, or if there’s an admissions office you can reach out to, do so! Graduate school is very different than undergraduate, so you’re bound to have a lot of questions that are very specific to your circumstances and grad schools understand that. If we can help provide some guidance or connect you, even if we don’t have your exact program at Roger Williams University, reach out to us at gradadmit@rwu.edu.