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Saying goodbye to your undergraduate studies and deciding what comes next can be one of the biggest choices you’ll make as a young adult. Whether you’re a junior scoping out the scenery and beginning to weigh your options or a senior who needs to finalize their post-grad plans, the reoccurring question becomes: Is graduate school right for me?
For many career paths like business, health sciences, law and engineering, furthering your education is often the norm. But even if graduate school isn’t a necessary prerequisite for your desired career path, it can be a powerful supplement for your early career. For starters, graduate school is a great option if you want to gain more specialized knowledge and position yourself for higher starting salaries.
Before making that decision, really take some time to reflect holistically on how a graduate degree fits into your bigger picture.
Grad school 101
Applying to grad school can often feel overwhelming due to the sheer volume of preliminary asks associated with applications. Whether you are planning to apply to Mizzou’s graduate programs or you have your sights set on another program, the framework for navigating applications remains relatively the same.
Mizzou breaks down the roadmap for graduate school into manageable milestones via the Grad School 101 Professional Development Series. This series of content guides undergraduate students through the lifecycle of an application.
These information sessions take place from September to November in the fall and February to April in the spring. If you can’t attend in-person sessions view the on-demand sessions here.
No matter where you are considering applying, producing successful graduate school applications starts here!
The 4-part series
Honing in on the right program
- Before you begin filling out applications, it’s important that you match your career aspirations with the right degree, whether that be the traditional master’s, a specialty degree or a doctorate.
- Spend some time browsing program websites and learning more about faculty research, specialization options, curriculum tracks and available funding structures. What looks good on paper may not always be complimentary to your career goals.
The timeline
- Graduate admissions don’t run on a singular universal deadline unlike undergraduate studies common applications. Timelines vary by program, department and funding deadlines. Applications can be due anywhere from December to March before the following fall session.
- Give yourself an ample amount of time to gather everything you’ll need for your applications. You should begin mapping out your list of schools, prepping for entrance exams and selecting your recommenders ahead of time.
Assembling core application materials
- Though graduate schools have varying program deadlines, almost every application will ask you for the standard components. Each application you are almost guaranteed to find that you need transcripts, a resume/CV, letters of recommendation and a written personal statement.
- Try to treat each component with care, as it is creating a cohesive narrative to accompany your application. Your letters of recommendation should echo the strengths in your resume, your personal statement should connect your undergraduate experiences to the goals of the programs you are applying to.
- Learn from current graduate students
- Speaking with people who have been in your shoes can help to demystify the process and give you a better sense of clarity. Current students can offer insight on the realities of the workload, what they wish they knew before applying and how they managed the transition from undergrad.
- Learn all you can before applying. This starts with attending information sessions, reaching out to student ambassadors in your prospective program and utilizing campus resources to talk through your plans.
Counseling and consultations
At first the application process can seem dense and out of reach, but you don’t have to figure it out in isolation.
Whether you’re toying with the idea of graduate school or you’re ready to revise your personal statement, the teams at the MU Career Center and Graduate School are here to meet you where you are.
Here at the career center, students can schedule individual appointments to begin talking through post-grad plans, receive feedback on application materials and map out the best timeline for your specific career goals.
Career counseling can help:
- Talk through the why: If you’re still on the fence about graduate school a career specialist can help you weigh the return on investment, identify industry standards and whether immediate workforce entry or furthering your education is the right option for you.
- Review applications: Bring in your resume, CV or a draft of your personal statement for constructive feedback before you send off your materials.
- Connect the dots: Career counselors can help students identify what programs to target based on what matches their values, lifestyle and professional trajectory.
Visit the Preparing for Graduate School page on the career center’s website to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a career specialist to get personalized support as you begin thinking about attending graduate school.
By Raigan Clay