Applying To Graduate School

Should I apply to grad school?

There are many reasons why thousands of American and international students choose to apply to grad school each year. Some of these include:

• Wanting to learn more about their subject
• The chance to carry out research
• Qualify as an academic
• Enhance their CV
• Start up their own business
• Work on their personal development
• Network and build up contacts
• Access great resources
• Gain an internationally recognised qualification
• Increase financial prospects

However, remember that grad school is expensive and requires yet more time spent studying intensively. Think carefully about your future plans and whether this is the right step for you.

Which medical school should I apply to?

When choosing which medical school(s) to apply to, you should think about:

1. What subjects are grades are required for entry? Be realistic about your chances of achieving these.
2. What admissions tests will you need to sit and what results will you need to get?
3. What content does the course cover and how long does it last?
4. What type of university is it and where is it located?
5. What are the competition ratios like?
6. What is the atmosphere like at the university? Try to visit on an open day if you can to get a real flavour and decide whether you like it.

These factors should help you decide which medical schools might be best for you. Read our guide to choosing a medical school for more in-depth advice.

Is it worth going to business school?

Yes, it is worth attending business school for many reasons! These include:

• Learning more about a subject you love
• Spend time on your personal development
• Improve your financial prospects
• Gain an internationally recognised qualification
• Build a professional network
• Start your own business
• Put yourself on a great career path.

See our Should I Go To Busniness School? guide for more information and advice.

What law school should I apply to?

Deciding which law school to apply to can be a difficult process, but we recommend you consider the following factors to help you choose the right one(s) for you:

• Location
• Career path
• Course content and matching interests
• Alumni reviews
• Graduate employment record
• Funding options
• Admission requirements
• Campus facilities
• Extracurricular activities
• Open/preview days.

Please see our Choosing A Law School guide for more information and advice.

When should I apply to grad school?

Most graduate school deadlines are in December or January, but you should actually start thinking about your application much earlier than that. We recommend getting started on the process, such as deciding which programs to apply to, about a year before your applications are due.

Take a look at our Law School, Business School and Medical School guides for more in-depth advice, as well as our graduate school application guide.

Is it better to go straight to grad school?

Some students choose to go straight to grad school after their undergrad degree, whereas others decide to take a break to get some work experience, go travelling or learn a new skill.

If you're considering going to grad school, whether you plan on starting right away or not, you need to think about the following:

1. Your career goals - what are they and are they realistic?
2. The differences between college and grad school - remember you will need to work hard and show initiative if you are to be successful in grad school
3. Do you have the maturity to be a good grad school student? Like college, there will be lots of deadlines, presentations, conference trips and papers to write, all of which will have to be juggled carefully to make sure everything is completed to a high enough standard.
4. Funding options - grad school will last at least the next few years, so think about whether financing your studies is viable.
5. Plan your application meticulously - if you've decided you want to apply for grad school, then you need to be organised and start your application early. As well as completing the form, you'll also need to think about your GRE and recommendation letters, and any research programs you want to pursue.
6. There are pros and cons of starting grad school straight away, and taking a break, so don't worry too much about what you decide to do in the end!

How many grad schools should I apply to?

We recommend you don't submit more than 6 applications to graduate schools.

Remember, each one is more time and expense, you want to make sure that your interest and enthusiasm shines through in all of your applications.

If you do too many, this might start to get lost.