Chicago, IL: September 1, 2020
Applying to graduate school is quite an undertaking. If you have taken the time to do your research, you have arrived at a list of master's or doctoral programs you believe would meet your educational and career goals. Now you are ready to prepare your applications.
Having worked in the field of enrollment management for 28 years, and having been the decision maker on applications for some very selective graduate programs, including Columbia, University of Chicago and Northwestern, I have witnessed quite an array of behaviors on the part of applicants. Based on that experience, here is a suggested list of ten do's and don'ts when applying to graduate school:
- Do your research and don't rely solely on rankings or word of mouth.
- Do read instructions carefully and don't rush.
- Do apply when you are ready and don't sacrifice quality for speed.
- Do evaluate customer service but don't forget that you too are being evaluated.
- Do be assertive but don't be arrogant or argumentative.
- Do be confident but don't be conceited.
- Do be persistent but don't be a pest.
- Do be yourself and don't try to fit some sort of fake image.
- Do lighten up and enjoy the process and don't act as if this is "do or die."
- Do put your best foot forward but never yield to the temptation to embellish or lie.