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Graduate School

Graduate School

Students discussing graduate school plans and application materials

Navigate the graduate school journey with confidence.

Applying to graduate school is a significant investment of time, effort, and planning. Whether you’re exploring if graduate school is the right next step or preparing to submit your applications, these resources will guide you through every stage of the process—from researching programs and preparing application materials to interviewing, comparing offers, and making your final decision. We recommend beginning with Should You Go to Graduate School? and then working through the remaining resources in the order below as you prepare your applications.

Should You Go to Graduate School? Graduate school isn’t the right path for everyone—or the right next step for every career. This guide will help you evaluate your personal, professional, and financial goals so you can determine whether graduate school aligns with your long-term aspirations and whether now is the right time to pursue it.

Graduate School Checklist: Stay organized throughout the application process with a comprehensive checklist of important tasks and deadlines. Use this resource to track your progress, manage application requirements, and ensure you don’t overlook important steps as you prepare your graduate school applications.

Graduate School Comparison Sheet: Choosing between graduate programs involves more than comparing rankings. This worksheet helps you evaluate programs side by side by considering factors such as academics, faculty, research opportunities, funding, location, culture, career outcomes, and overall fit.

Questions to Ask Graduate School Programs: Gather the information you need to make informed decisions about graduate programs. This guide provides thoughtful questions to ask faculty, admissions representatives, and current students so you can better understand each program’s expectations, opportunities, resources, and culture.

Graduate School Application Timeline: Successful applications begin long before submission deadlines. This timeline outlines recommended milestones—from researching programs and preparing for entrance exams to requesting letters of recommendation and submitting applications—so you can stay organized throughout the process.

Personal Statement Guide: Your personal statement is an opportunity to share your story, goals, and motivation for pursuing graduate study. This guide explains how to develop a compelling narrative, organize your ideas, and write a statement that reflects your experiences, aspirations, and readiness for graduate school.

Personal Statement Rubric: Evaluate your personal statement before submitting your application. This rubric highlights the qualities admissions committees look for, helping you assess your organization, writing, clarity, and overall effectiveness while identifying opportunities for improvement.

Curriculum Vitae Guide: Many graduate programs require a curriculum vitae rather than a résumé. This guide explains how to organize your academic achievements, research, teaching, creative work, publications, presentations, performances, and other experiences into a professional CV.

General CV Template: Begin building your academic CV using a professionally designed template. Customize each section to showcase your education, research, creative activities, leadership, awards, publications, presentations, performances, and other accomplishments relevant to graduate school applications.

Graduate School Test Prep: Many graduate programs require standardized entrance exams as part of the application process. This guide introduces common graduate admissions tests, outlines preparation strategies, and provides resources to help you develop a study plan and prepare with confidence.

Top 10 Graduate School Interview Questions: Prepare for graduate school interviews by reviewing common questions asked during the admissions process. This guide helps you anticipate what admissions committees may ask and offers strategies for communicating your experiences, goals, and readiness for graduate study.

STAR Matrix for Graduate School Interview Questions: Organize your experiences before your interview using the STAR framework. This worksheet helps you prepare structured examples that demonstrate your academic abilities, leadership, problem-solving, collaboration, and other qualities graduate programs value.

How to Decline a Graduate School Offer: If you decide to attend another program or postpone graduate school, it’s important to respond professionally. This guide explains how to respectfully decline an offer of admission while maintaining positive relationships with faculty, admissions committees, and future professional contacts.