Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to Graduate School

#1: Thinking it’s just like college.
If you approach graduate school with a college mindset, you risk rejection. Graduate school is different. While it depends on which field you want to enter, the emphasis will shift from merely learning existing knowledge to creating new knowledge by conducting original research or writing a culminating thesis or dissertation. Your application must demonstrate that you understand, and are prepared to undertake, this crucial academic shift. nn#2: Neglecting to do your homework.
Graduate programs want more than to learn about you. They also want to be convinced that you know a lot about them. This means you must know the program you are applying to, intimately, including the philosophy of the program and the names and research agendas of specific professors alongside whom you may be working. Anything less can get you weeded out. nn#3: Not knowing why you’re going.
To be a credible graduate school candidate, you need to demonstrate clear goals and reasons for attending the particular program to which you are applying. This is why they ask you to write a statement of purpose. Graduate school is not just a place to hide out from the workworld for a few years. nn#4: Having no samples of your own research.
To demonstrate that you understand the graduate school research mindset, it is extremely helpful to have some examples of undergraduate level research to show to the admissions committee. This is why graduate aspirants should take every hands-on research opportunity available during their college years. nn#5: Thinking it’s all about you.
Applying to graduate school is much more like a job interview than undergraduate college is. They will want to know how you will fit on their research teams and how you can help them achieve their goals. To succeed, you’re going to need to be able to see things from their point of view. Specific professors may have specific skills they are seeking in incoming students. Graduate school admission also often includes a job, as either a research or teaching assistant, so you really should think of it as an employment. The better you’re able to get into their heads and understand where they’re coming from, the more successful you’ll be!