The process of applying, attending, and succeeding in graduate school is a very intimidating one for students graduating undergraduate schools and embarking on the next chapter in their lives. Being a soon-to-be university graduate myself, I spend most of my time worrying about graduate school as I intend to navigate towards a doctorate degree. It is no doubt that any level of higher education is accompanied with fear, uncertainty, and questions, yet unfortunately, students are oftentimes surrounded by misinformation and lack of proper resources to ensure a smooth transition. In this post, I'll provide some expert advice from mentors and grad students surrounding the topic of applying for graduate school.
To begin with, it is important to note that when embarking on the graduate school journey, no single article, mentor, or class can cover every single element of applying to graduate school. This is simply due to the fact that requirements vary among programs, schools, and even countries, so understanding that there is more than one “right way” to present oneself is vital (Bavel, Jay). Graduate school, like any other education system, begins with the application process. Unfortunately, as years go by, these processes of competing for a spot in a prestigious institution becomes arduous. In fact, according to Kalita, S. Mitra, “guidance counselors and private admissions experts characterize this year’s record low acceptances as a bit of a “bloodbath” for the Class of 2022”... More and more students are finding themselves on the waitlist because universities are waiting to see what their incoming classes will actually look like before committing (Kalita, S. Mitra). It does not help that 2022 has been riddled with uncertainties like Covid, wars, and rising university tuition prices that fill students with pure apprehension. Kalita strongly advises that amidst qualm, students do not take rejection personally and instead focus on their character for a life bigger than admissions. This advice resonates with me because students sometimes fail to realize that obtaining a PhD, MD, or any other graduate degree is but one step in the spectrum of their life. So much fear and anxiety surround the application process that students forget that they were bright before the process and will continue to be so after it.
The concept of striving to be a “full package” is one that is agreed upon by almost all mentors, teachers and parents that advise college graduates when applying for graduate school. Many have heard the phrase “well-rounded student” long before high school, but it is constantly evolving as students tailor themselves to fit the definition. In high school, being a well-rounded student might have meant joining petty sports and clubs, but Klippenstein emphasizes the importance of networks and self-advertisement for grad school applicants. For those hoping to obtain a graduate degree, the more you interact with PIs and other graduate students, the more likely you are to be considered for an interview (Klippenstein, Jenna). This is because when a student makes the social effort to expand past their books and attend conferences, which Klippenstein praises to be the most ubiquitous opportunities to network at a professional level, they expose themselves to knowledge and resources that will be of benefit during their application process. Another form of networking Klippenstein encourages are academic twitters and personal web pages as they can serve as extended resumes to further present yourself. Here, a student can further display research experiences and carefully crafted statements of their current interests (Bavel, Jay).
In attempts to create a “perfect” resume, students often cannot escape the fears surrounding graduate school. The only way to maintain sanity is to put yourself first by placing great attention and care into your mental health. Finding ways to eliminate unnecessary stress is vital to ensuring the most placid application process. Jay Bavel encourages students in the application process to focus on specific amenities offered by institutions that they care for and are interested in. “This process can be time consuming, stressful, and expensive. Remember to take care of yourself along the way” (Bavel, Jay). As an undergraduate student working to attend graduate school, I can testify that oftentimes, students prioritize school over personal matters because we understand how competitive, time and energy consuming it is. We sometimes forget to build characters outside the bubble of our education and take advantage of the support systems, like our family and friends, available to help ease the stress of preparing for the future. Utilizing these resources, adhering to careful and meaningful advice, and continuing to research about what it is we aim to achieve, are some of the best ways to navigate the application process. Most of all, it is crucial to remember: “A rejected student is still as bright, talented, and full of potential as he was before the rejection…If we teach our young people that they are no ‘less’ because of a rejection (and no ‘more’ because of an admission), it can remind them that what matters most is not the name on their college sweatshirt, but who is wearing it” (Kalita, S. Mitra)
Upon conducting my research, there weren’t many talks of gap years as a next step post undergraduate school. Seeing as a gap year is something I am heavily considering, I thought it would be calming to learn more about it and find more research supporting the idea. There’s a lot of stigma surrounding gap years and ideas of unproductivity conjoined to it when in reality, a lot of students take gap years to better prepare for the next 4 years of higher education. It would be interesting to see research of the benefits of gap years, especially from undergraduate to graduate school, where most young adults experience the peak of their financial, mental, and emotional growth and stress.
Citations
Bavel, Jay, et al. “Applying for a Ph.d.? These 10 Tips Can Help You Succeed.” Science, 26 Sept. 2018, https://www.science.org/content/article/applying-phd-these-10-tips-can-help-you-succeed.
Kalita, S. Mitra. “College Admissions Experts Explain the Merits of Not Getting In.” Charter, Time, 5 Apr. 2022, https://time.com/charter/6164408/what-college-rejections-can-mean/.
Klippenstein, Jenna. “Professional Networking as a Graduate Student.” Association for Psychological Science - APS, 31 Oct. 2018, https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/professional-networking-as-a-graduate-student.
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