Graduate School | Admission Criteria | Choosing the Right Graduate School | Paying for Graduate School | Application Process | Law School | Medical School | Graduate School Resources | Professional Associations

Admission Criteria

Admissions criteria will vary for each school and program. To find schools that offer your program of interest in your geographic preference, consult Peterson's Graduate Schools and Programs.

Research each school to learn which of the following criteria they use to determine acceptance into their programs.
  • Undergraduate GPA
  • Entrance exam scores
  • Recommendation letters
  • Personal statement
  • Work experience and/or prior research projects
  • Accurately completed application
  • Convincing personal interview

Entrance Exams
A prerequisite for admission to most graduate schools is the completion of one of the following entrance exams.

  • GRE - Graduate Record Examination
    For entrance into most Arts and Science programs
  • GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test
    For entrance into Business School
  • MCAT - Medical College Admissions Test
  • LSAT - Law School Admissions Test
  • DAT - Dental Admission Test
  • PCAT - Pharmacy Admission Test

Recommendation Letters
Choose someone to write a letter who truly knows you and who can give examples of your achievements. Good choices are professors who know you well or employers you have worked with. Give them a copy of your personal statement to reference as well as a deadline for completion.

Personal Statement
A personal statement is a creative sample of your writing abilities linking past education and experiences to future career goals.

  • Stick to the subject and follow the guidelines
  • Focus on your accomplishments
  • Don't apologize for past experiences (poor grades or low scores on exams)
  • Be yourself - write about what you know
  • Show your interest in the field, use examples
  • Be confident, show motivation for the field
  • Sell yourself - be bold
  • Develop a theme - a point to the essay
  • Should be two typed double spaced pages
  • Proofread for spelling and grammar
  • Meet with a Career Advisor for a review of your statement

Personal Interview
Some institutions/programs may require an interview. Some tips for the interview:

  • Give examples or tell brief stories
  • Dress appropriately in business attire
  • Pay attention to your body language
  • Give a strong handshake, maintain eye contact
  • Be honest! Never lie about anything.
  • Relax and be confident!
  • Write a thank-you note
  • Schedule a Mock Interview in the Career Center for practice.
  
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