Preparing for Graduate and Professional School | Thomas Edison State University

Student Resources
Career Development
Preparing for Graduate and Professional School

The graduate or professional school application process also requires effort, attention to detail, persistence and follow through. Plan backwards from when you hope to start:

At least 18 months prior to when you plan to start
- Determine if graduate/professional school is right for you:
  - Research educational expectations for your career field;
  - Consider your level of commitment to the field of study (it should be high);
  - Consider whether graduate school fits into your life circumstances.
- Identify the program type you wish to pursue.
- Identify admission testing requirements, typically:
  - Business – GMAT
  - Dental School – DAT
  - Law – LSAT
  - Medical School – MCAT
  - Veterinary School – GRE General
    
    some require GRE Biology
    
    some will allow the MCAT in place of the GRE General
  - Most other programs requiring admissions testing — GRE General
Note: Verify the requirements for each program you are interested in as they can vary.
One year prior to starting
- Identify specific programs of interest
  - Location
    
    Consider online programs
    
    Consider the importance of geography
  - Ability to enhance your outcomes at the conclusion
    
    School/program reputation
    
    Program’s success rate in placing people in the types of jobs for which you are interested
    
    Whether there are faculty with your academic interests that will be able to mentor you
  - Cost
    
    Total cost for attendance
    
    Options for financial support
- Begin requesting letters of recommendation (need three-to-five letters)
- Develop a calendar of admissions’ deadline dates
- Take any required admission testing (taking one year out allows you time to retake if necessary)
- Identify funding options
  - File the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – though there is less money for graduate school
  - Ask the institution about:
    
    Grants and Scholarships — money offered a student for educational expenses, with no repayment or work associated
    
    Fellowships — stipends or tuition support, with no repayment or work associated; awarded based on merit or need
    
    Assistantships — financial assistance offered as remuneration for part-time work on the campus
    
    Research Assistants — support a faculty member in their research
    
    Teaching Assistants — either teach a course or support a faculty member in the teaching of a course; may provide grading, small group lessons, exam proctoring
    
    Graduate Assistant — work for an office/department in a paraprofessional role
Up to six months prior to starting
- Complete admissions applications
  - Write personal statements
  - Have your personal statement reviewed by Career Development
- Complete funding applications