Advice on applying to grad school
Greetings!
I know that folks are currently on the #SAGradHunt.
This means countless hours researching, contemplating,
and deciding which programs to apply for and I figured I would chime in with
some words of advice during this process!
First, take a deep breath.
This is a tough time in your life.
Trust me, I was there two years ago.
I know this is a nerve-racking time of your life.
So, be patient.
I have seen many folks commenting on Facebook groups about
the programs they’re considering with the questions they have during this
application process and I’ve been quite active in responding to many people.
This is great; it is proactive. And yet, there is more that I feel I need to
say.
So, without further rambling, here are a few suggestions for
those of you taking the time to be proactive in applying to student affairs/higher
education graduate programs!
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Listen to Benedict.
He knows everything. |
1. Do your research!
Know what you want!
Some programs specialize in counseling, others in higher
education administration, others in social justice, others in student affairs,
student development and theory to practice.
Most of these go by vastly different names and titles; yet,
they are generally the same.
Figure out what you might want from a program and go for it!
Reach out to the faculty contact and strike up a
conversation with current members of the graduate programs. This is a great way
to get a candid account of the program from someone currently experiencing it.
Ask for support on Facebook groups—I know many folks are
already doing this; but if you aren’t, do it! There are many of us out here
willing to support you!
2. Narrow your choices
wisely.
You cannot and should not apply everywhere.
This is for myriad of reasons.
Applications are expensive—as I cover in point #7.
So don’t expect to apply to more programs than you can
afford.
Also, applying to multiple programs takes SO MUCH TIME!
So you need to make sure you will actually have time to
apply to all of the programs you choose. I genuinely felt applying to grad
school was like a full time job.
So, I suggest that a good number of applications to send out
is between 4 – 6.
Don’t panic—those numbers might seem low; however, it is
important that you take into account your needs and recognize where you truly
find yourself being happy studying for two years.
Don’t just apply to a bunch of programs because you think
you should.
Apply where you know that you will be able to become a
better leader and a better practitioner.
3. Revise your
personal statement.
And then revise it again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
And again.
And when you think it’s done, make sure at least five other
sets of eyes have seen your personal statement.
It’s important to make sure that you aren’t the only person
reading your statement. You will miss things. Other eyes can give you better
feedback because they can catch things you don’t see.
4. Take the personal
statement seriously.
I mean it when I say take the personal statement seriously.
It is easily the most important aspect of your application.
Some programs limit your word count to as little as 250
words—which is bullshit, because that is impossible.
However, the majority of programs will suggest that you fit
your statement on one page single-spaced. I suggest that 700 words can do the
trick.
And with this, I also STRONGLY suggest that you do not—under
any circumstances—just regurgitate your resume. The admissions committee will
read your resume, but what they want is to see that you are an interesting,
engaging, motivated human being with potential to take charge of this field.
This does not mean saying that you are “passionate” 100
times in your statement.
In fact, if I had my way, people would only be allowed ONE “passion”
in their statement. Maybe that’s the English major in me, but I have read
through many personal statements and I promise that you are using an empty
word. Pull out the thesaurus and show the admissions committee that you can
actually conceptualize your experience!
If you’d like me to look over your personal statement, let
me know!
5. Round up your
letters of recommendation early.
This is just common courtesy.
Know who you want to write your personal statements and, if
you haven’t already, ask them to do it now! Many professional folks are very
busy and need plenty of advance notice to write a proper recommendation for
you.
Don’t wait until the last second to do this because it will
only stress you out.
And make sure you are asking people who can truly speak to your experiences and
abilities. Don’t just ask any three or four folks. Get people that know you
well and know how to express who you are as a person as well.
NOTE: it is proper etiquette
to give a thank you card/gift to those who take the time to write letters for
you.
6. Don’t worry about the GRE.
Honestly, I didn’t take the GRE. I don’t suggest that anyone
should ever take it.
As a former teacher, I recognize that standardized tests are
garbage.
The GRE proves nothing and is often only a simple gateway to
admission into an institution’s Graduate school. I only applied to programs
that did not require the GRE because I took that as a strong sign that the institution
shared my hatred for atrocious standardized tests.
I’ve chatted with many higher education faculty members and
the consensus is that the GRE is for appearances only. There is no true
correlation to the test and your ability to lead a program board, a resident
hall, or a leadership program.
Therefore, take the exam. Do your best. And don’t sweat it
breaking your chances of getting into a student affairs program.
7. Save your pennies.
This relates to point #2.
Applications are expensive—they range from $40 - $75+
NOTE: A fun way to
raise funds for applications is to create a service that you can provide for
others. EXAMPLE: I made paintings for my friends when I was applying for
graduate school and was able to fully fund my four applications through simply
making and selling paintings!
Also, when you need to travel to campuses for visit days,
you will need to pay for flights, or gas, or train—or however else you plan to
travel to the institutions that have accepted you! Some programs can offer you
reimbursement, but not all of them. So save up!
I suggest investing in teleportation.
8. Assistantship(s).
As most folks entering this field understand: our
experiences are EVERYTHING.
Therefore, it is fair to assume that most programs offer
assistantships.
They do. They are out there. And yes, it does depend on what
experience you want to fuel your career, so applying for and obtaining an
assistantship is important, but it is not the end of the world.
Honestly, you will enter the field with an IDEA of what you
want to do with this Master’s degree. Then, as you progress, you are more than
likely going to redefine your needs and desires—which means you may want to
change assistantships!
This is common.
In fact, I currently hold three 10 hour assistantships—two are
within the same office, which is nice—yet, I have held five so far during my graduate
school experience. I am developing multiple skills in multiple arenas. Don’t be
afraid to change trajectories. Don’t be afraid to try something new.
There are two important reasons to have assistantships
beyond the experience alone.
a. Getting paid.
We gotta survive, so make sure you are getting paid if you are
performing any assistantship.
b. Tuition waivers. (NOTE:
See Next point)
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I think this is from the Daily 49er from CSU-Long Beach.
I like it. |
9. Tuition waivers.
In tandem with point #1—research also means seeking out
programs that offer tuition waivers. Even SOME form of a waiver is better than
none.
I suggest finding programs that offer FULL tuition waivers—yes,
they are out there—e.g. UMass Amherst (where I am, hint hint)—and if these
programs interest you, place them atop your list!
I mean, why wouldn’t they interest you?
There is no reason why you should add more debt to your
plate in pursuing a Master’s in student affairs and/or higher education! We are
doing a public service to our field by being graduate students, so be smart
when applying to programs because yes, you can attend for free if you find the
right program.
10. Will you be
unionized?
Here at UMass Amherst, we are unionized as graduate
students.
We have health and dental benefits and we have the highest
paying graduate assistantships in the country ($22.76 per hour—public information).
When applying to a program, make sure you check into whether
the institution has a grad union that protects you with grievance protection,
insurance, and all sorts of campus reimbursements. Not all institutions have
them, and they can be a bit of a catch-22 at times; yet, they are incredibly
helpful in the long run.
Especially when you begin to feel overworked and underpaid—because you will—they are there to support you with legal support.
BONUS!
11. Apply to UMass Amherst!
Because I’m here and I am king.
Also, we have an incredible focus on social justice and college access and equity.
Feel free to contact me if you’d like more information on
our program!
End of list.
#SAGrad chats are each Sunday night at 8pm EST!
