»Building a Graduate School Application Strategy

Thinking about graduate school?

Graduate school is a huge commitment and requires strong self-motivation and focus. It’s a time to push yourself more than ever before. Earning a graduate degree can give you an edge over other candidates in today’s competitive job market. However, it is important to take time and do your research to see if graduate school is right for you and your long-term career goals. The information below should help you better understand the general process and potential requirements.

On-Demand Resources 

View graduate school prep resources, timelines, CV samples and personal statement tips in the "Resources" section of Handshake 

Appointments 

Schedule a Graduate School Explorationappointment with a career advisor from the Chapman Career Team 

Fellowship Listings 

Follow this link to Chapman University’s fellowships and scholarship listings page. 

Chapman Graduate Programs 

Consider a Chapman Graduate program and continue your career as a Panther! 

Pre-Health Advising

The Pre-Health Professions Office is available to all Chapman undergraduate students and can help you become a competitive applicant for health professional school.

Researching Programs

Give yourself plenty of time to research your options. Start gathering information, networking and visiting campuses at least six monthsbefore the application window opens.  

Consider factors such as career choices, the job outlook upon graduation, how responsive the school department is, cost of living, etc.  Check out ourGraduate School Application and Prep Resources guide for a list of what criteria to consider when choosing a grad program. 

Connect with your College Career Advisor for more guidance on applying to grad programs related to your major.

Resources

• U.S. News & World Report: How to Use the Best Graduate School Rankings Wisely
• Idealist.org: Search for graduate programs and read blogs about what to consider in regard to attending graduate school
• U.S. News Online College Search: This is a good source of information for comparing online programs and their costs.

FAQ

Is it okay to go to graduate school if you aren't sure what you want to do?

If you have no idea what you want to do, attending graduate school is risky because there is no guarantee that you will have a better idea of what you want to do when you are done.

We recommend making an appointment on Handshake with our career advisors to discuss whether graduate school is right for you.

Do I need to work first before going to graduate school?

It depends. Learn what is expected in your chosen field. Some programs either require or give preference to those who have work experience. For other fields, additional education is the minimum requirement for entry-level positions. Once you know the expectations, gauge whether or not you need a break from school, need time to investigate a field further, develop motivation or save money. All of these may be reasons to work before returning to school.

How should I decide what kind of degree to get?

There are a wide variety of degrees that you can get. It is best to give some thought to what you want to do and then look at the degree that will get you there. This will involve researching career fields. Oftentimes, there is no one simple route to your career goal and no one graduate degree that will fill it. Consider researching career fields on O*Net Online and seeing what kind of education is needed. Informational Interviewing is also a great way to learn about what education other professionals have earned to get to their current role.

My grades aren't the best, but I want to go to graduate school. What can I do?

If you had a bad first semester or two, don't discount your chances of getting into graduate school. Excellent graduate entrance exam scores, strong relevant experience and outstanding recommendations might help overcome low grades. We recommend connecting with the graduate coordinator of your desired program for more details on how you can stand out as an applicant.

I have debt from my bachelor’s degree. Can I afford to go to graduate school?

Graduate school can be expensive. In some cases, it may be a better option to postpone attending grad school until later, when you are financially ready.

For financial options, feel free to reach out to your desired graduate program to see what financial aid or scholarship options they have available. Some programs that offer a part-time or virtual class set up may also be ideal in helping to cut down on costs or allowing you to work while attending classes. Many graduate school programs offer classes at night to account for the working professional. Additionally, some organizations have programs that offer educational funding or reimbursements as a benefit for their employees.

How different is graduate school than undergraduate?

Graduate school is often very differentthanundergraduate. While undergraduate coursework may be more foundational, graduate school tends to focus on the depth of understanding for a specific area of study. Graduate programs are generally morerigorous, with fewer testsand more papers, presentations, research and projects. Depending on the discipline, classes may be less lecture-based and more focused on discussions.

*Disclaimer

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