Grad School Application: Tips to Save Time and Avoid Stress

“Start sooner rather than later” is an excellent piece of advice for undergraduates who are planning to apply to graduate school this Fall. It’s a common mistake to underestimate the amount of time and effort it takes to apply.

The reality is that applying to graduate school is a daunting and extremely time-consuming process. Having gone through it twice myself, I can honestly say that this process requires a great deal of organization, commitment, and patience. When I was applying to grad school during the Fall semester of my senior year, it was difficult to also find enough time for my coursework, my research, and my outside job. To be successful, you’ll want to knock out as much as you can before you begin your Fall semester. So why not start now?

Below are three tips that will save you time and stress during the application process:

Take the GRE Before Your Fall Semester

The GRE is a monster of a test (I typically refer to it as the SAT on steroids). Preparing/studying for this test is essential for scoring well, and this is extremely difficult in the Fall when you have a full course load. My recommendations are to start studying now and to take the GRE before August. If you happen to do poorly, you will still have time to take it again before you get too far into the Fall semester. Having this test out of the way during your Fall semester will reduce your stress levels significantly. Trust me.

Create Your List Of Schools And Potential Advisors

The summer is the perfect time to begin thinking about where you would like to apply. Start asking yourself: What would I like to research? Are there PhD programs that align with my research interests? If you do come across a program with a research lab that seems to be a good fit, contact the professor of that lab to confirm that they are planning on taking a student the following year. If they are, definitely put that school down on your list. It is recommended that you have a list of at least 10 PhD programs when you begin preparing your application materials.

Step-Up Your Game In Your Research Lab

For those of you who are already serving as research assistants (RAs) in a lab at your university, now is the time to be proactive. Ask your graduate student mentor if they need help on a summer project (even if you can only help remotely), ask your lab manager if you can present a research poster at SPSP, or even ask your professor if you can contribute to a manuscript that is being prepared for publication! These requests will serve you IMMENSELY when you send off your applications in the Fall. Having a research poster or manuscript on your CV will put you ahead of a lot of other applicants.

Happy Applying!