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Explore Graduate / Professional School
Application Timetable > Should I Go to Grad School? > Learning About Grad School
> Choosing A School > Questions To Ask > Application Tips > Resources > Workshops
> Planning Graduate Study 
Timetable For Application Process
(start 16 - 24 months before you wish to begin graduate school)
Spring
- Clarify career objectives and determine if graduate school is the next best step to achieving career goals
- Research graduate and professional school programs
- Consult with faculty and professionals in the field
- Develop your application process timeline
Summer
- Sign up for required admissions test(s) offered in fall
- Prepare for and practice to take the admissions test(s)
- Obtain application materials
- Research scholarships, fellowships
Fall
- Attend the D.C. Graduate and Professional School Fair in September
- Take the required admissions test(s)
- Verify deadlines for admissions and financial aid materials
- Compose your personal statement
- Ask for letters of recommendation
- Order transcripts from all post-secondary schools
- Complete applications forms
Winter
- Submit applications
- Follow-up with institutions
- Prepare for personal interviews if required
Spring
- Evaluate offers and decide
Return Should I Go To Graduate School?
Before making this important decision, carefully weigh the time commitment, financial considerations, personal adjustments and sacrifices, and readiness to pursue graduate level work. Assess the value of a graduate degree in terms of earning potential, entry into a profession, advancement and competitiveness. Seek guidance from your faculty, people in the profession and from your university career counselor.
Learning About Graduate Schools
Many resources are now available on the web as well as in print. University Career Services maintains a selection of reference books in the Career Library and links to online resources. Consult faculty and professionals in your field and talk to representatives at graduate school fairs held at Mason.
Choosing A School
- Faculty - their credentials and reputation; where they received their training; number of faculty; their research and teaching interests; publications; involvement in professional activities; their availability; balance of gender and ethnic representation.
- Academic program - accreditation; course offerings and availability; difficulty; availability of assistantships, fellowships or practica; size of program; degree requirements; length of time to complete the program; rate of completion; admissions policies; reputation/ranking.
- Resources - facilities for students; library collections; laboratories; computer access; location; cost of living; financial support; housing and transportation options.
- Students - satisfaction with program, gender/ethnic diversity; academic ability; employment and professional accomplishments of graduates.
Questions To Ask
Overall Program
- What characteristics distinguish this program from others in the same field?
- What is the average length of time students spend in the program?
- Does the program lean toward theory or application?
- What planned practical experiences are included in the program? (Ask for examples of internship placements).
- What percentages of students in the graduate program attend full time/part time? What is the level of attrition?
- May I have the names of students enrolled in the program so that I can discuss it with them?
Faculty
- What is the size of the faculty and faculty/student ratio? Are the top faculty teaching and/or conducting research?
- What have faculty members published lately? (Compare professors' interests with your own.)
Financial Aid
- What types of financial aid are offered: fellowships, assistantships, grants, scholarships?
- How many are awarded each year?
- What are the process and deadlines for applying for the financial aid options?
- What criteria are used for choosing recipients?
Student Life and Campus Facilities
- What are the social and cultural activities of the department?
- How adequate are the library, computer, and study facilities?
- Is there campus housing for graduate students or assistance in locating off-campus housing?
Career Assistance
- Where are graduates employed? What can you tell me about last year's graduates?
- What career planning and job hunting assistance is available?
Admissions Requirements
- What is the relative importance of admissions test scores, undergraduate grades, recommendations, personal statements, related experience, and other requirements?
- How important is related-work experience? What kind of experience is the program looking for?
Application Tips
- Take required admissions test(s), preferably in October, if you plan entry the following fall. Ask graduate admissions staff about how test scores from multiple test administrations will be treated. Check that your test results have been sent to the schools to which you are applying. If you register for the GRE, you will be included in the GRE Search Service database, through which graduate schools may request information on prospective candidates.
- Prepare for the admissions tests by using test preparation resources on your own or by enrolling in a test preparation workshop. A variety of test preparation resources are available, including free practice tests:
- Note deadlines for both the graduate school applications and the financial aid, fellowship, and assistantship applications. Send in the application form and fee well before the deadline.
- Develop a concise and well-organized personal essay that reflects your carefully examined objectives for attending graduate school, what is interesting about you, and your unique characteristics. Consult with faculty, Career Services counselor and publications in the
Career Library for guidelines and strategies for writing an effective essay. If essay writing is not your strength, take your draft to the Writing Center, A114 Robinson Hall. - Should some aspect of your application raise questions about your suitability or qualifications, provide an explanation in a separate statement or letter included with the application.
- Request recommendations from faculty, administrators and employers who know you and the quality of your work. Allow recommendation writers four to six weeks to write and send letters. Provide your writers with recommendation forms, stamped envelopes and written highlights including academic courses, projects, research papers, resume and a copy of your transcript. To help you manage your reference/credential files, consider using one of the commercial on-line file management sites, such as:
- Request transcripts at least one month before the application deadline from each college you attended. Have official transcripts sent directly from the Office of the Registrar to the graduate schools.
- Follow up with the graduate school(s) to be sure that all your application materials have been received.
- If possible, visit the campuses. For some programs, personal interviews may be used as a part of the application process. Prepare to discuss your goals and qualifications as you would for any interview.
- Admission decisions typically are made by April 1 at the latest and registration commitments will be requested by May 1.