Preparing for graduate studies after your undergraduate degree can be an adventure. While you may be excited to move on from your undergraduate degree and take another step on your path to your chosen career, it can also be difficult making decisions regarding which program to choose and navigate the transition to the next stage in your academic career may not be as simple as it seems. I have listed three keys to success to help you as you navigate applying to graduate degree programs in STEM.
1. Keep an open mind and keep your options open Although you may have a set program or school in mind as you enter into your final years as an undergraduate student it is important to consider all of your graduate school options. For example, if you only apply to one program/school you may be missing the opportunity to apply to other excellent programs and, in the event that your application is unsuccessful, you may be under more pressure to determine your next steps. Therefore, when applying to your graduate degree program be sure to keep an open mind and examine a variety of options as this will allow you to be confident that your chosen program is truly the best fit for you.
2. Do your research and engage in the process
When applying to a graduate degree program do your research with respect to your supervisor and their field of study, the school you will be attending, the area you will be living in, and what the general atmosphere of the program is (as applicable). When going through the application process be sure to try to visit the school and talk to your supervisor, current students, and alumni. Oftentimes current students are the best resource to understand the atmosphere of the program, expectations, what work-life balance looks like as a student in that program, as well as what it is like moving to and living in the city. Ultimately, having more information about the program and school will help you in your decision-making process as you choose which program to enroll in. Further, talking to potential supervisors and students, even if you do not enroll in the program, allows you to travel, create networks at different schools, and develop soft skills that will benefit you in your future endeavours.
3. Seek out and access the resources available to you Graduate degree applications can be a daunting item on your to-do list. However, if you access the resources available to you through your school’s career center, teaching and learning center/writing center, and school of graduate studies you will have all the tools you require to build a strong application. Participating in mock interviews and getting resume/curriculum vitae tips from your career center and on-campus clubs e.g., pre-med society, will help you practice being in an interview and make the process of creating application documents much more efficient. In addition, graduate school applications may require you to write a statement of interest, personal essay, research proposal, or submit a sample of your writing. Accessing the teaching and learning center/writing center at your school can help you strengthen your writing skills, and your school of graduate studies can help provide other writing tips and examples of these documents as each one requires a unique style of writing that we are rarely exposed to during the course of our undergraduate degrees. Teaching and learning centers are also a great resource for exam writing tips if you need to write entrance exams or other standardized tests. But what if I do not have access to these resources at my current school or I am not currently associated with a university or college? Good news! You can access many of these resources at schools you are applying to, and additional support and resources can be found online. Ultimately, accessing the resources available to you early in the application process will be invaluable in helping you create a strong application to any graduate program.