Graduate School

Not all Hope seniors pursue work options after graduation.

Every year about 20% of graduating seniors enter a graduate program. And approximately 45% of working graduates indicate that they plan to attend graduate school in the future.

Of those pursuing graduate study from the Class of 2019, 98% were accepted into their first or second choice of schools. As you think about whether graduate or professional school is right for you, connect with your faculty advisors and the Boerigter Center staff for assistance.

IS GRADUATE SCHOOL RIGHT FOR ME?

Exploratory Questions

What do I want to accomplish in my life?
What are my long- and short-range professional goals?

Questions to Evaluate

Is graduate study necessary for me to achieve my long- and short-term career goals?
What type of value, if any, do I place on attaining a graduate degree?
Can I realistically invest the time and money to pursue another academic program?

Reconsidering Graduate School

If you answer yes to the following questions, you should reconsider applying to graduate school:

By going to graduate school, am I simply delaying my career decision-making?
With my undergraduate major, do I worry that I have no immediate job options?
Am I concerned that the economy is slow and the job market is lousy?

WHEN SHOULD I GO?

There are no absolute guidelines about when to go to graduate school. Once you've made your decision in favor of graduate study, you must consider when it is best to begin. Speak with faculty advisors and people currently pursuing programs of your interest in order to hear their perspectives on immediate entry versus delayed entry. Some graduate programs encourage work experience before enrolling; check with the program coordinators.

WHERE SHOULD I GO?

Singling out possible programs

Consult with faculty and alumni for graduate program recommendations
Access Petersons.com to cast the net wider for possible programs
Check the website of programs of interest
Consider reviewing journals tied to your academic discipline

Investigating further

Consult the application materials for possible programs online
Review evaluations of possible programs in journals and other publications (e.g., Compass section of U.S. News and World Reports) as well as associations tied to your discipline
Consider touring campuses of interest; many programs have designated days to visit, talk with students and sit in on classes

Comparing Graduate Schools/Programs

When reviewing graduate programs, consider:

Size of the school and department
Geographic location
Philosophy of education
Residence requirements
Work or experiential learning opportunities available
Career assistance provided
Reputation of the school and the specific program
Number of faculty in the department
Quality of research conducted by the faculty
Amount of aid/assistantships offered
Requirements such as GPA, standardized tests, etc.

Making Your Decision

Begin your applications early; if any schools have rolling admission, apply there first
Consider applying to five to seven schools
Have one or two “stretch schools” and one “sure bet” in your application mix (and more for M.D., D.O. and dentistry applications)

WHAT IF I WANT TO VISIT?

If possible, visit the schools you’re interested in. Contact the school’s admissions office or the chairperson of the department to which you are applying. Some schools may have a special visitation day set aside just for prospective students. If the distance requires an overnight stay, the department may be able to pair you with a current grad student for lodging and transportation.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Pay attention to the range of details and deadlines, including whether any schools you’re considering have rolling admission or a modified rolling admission. Apply early!

Application

Access applications online from the graduate schools you’re applying to
Be thorough: Review the entire application and pay attention to the details
Copy and store your application for future reference
Contact the school several weeks ahead of the deadline to confirm that your application has been received

Developing your graduate school essay

Review and reflect on the questions posed by the admissions committee, then brainstorm ideas and core themes that you want to convey in your essay.
Make sure your essay reflects your persona, your individuality. Engage the reader with a bold or interesting opening statement.
Provide a clear and compelling rationale for pursuing this line of graduate study by including:
- Specific reasons for your interest in that particular area
- Reference to academic and research distinctives
- Short- and longer-term goals and experiences that might differentiate your application
- Study or internships and community leadership or engagement
Pause for a while after you’ve finished your initial version, then come back to continue the editing and revision process.
Initially, have it reviewed by a peer in the writing center, and then ask a faculty member or two to provide you feedback. Several sets of eyes reviewing it is wise, given the range of perspectives represented by the admissions committee.
Keep a copy of your essay and review it before any interviews to ensure that you’re sharing consistent content through the process.

Submitting your Transcripts

Contact the Hope College Registrar’s Office for details about having your transcripts forwarded to the schools where you’re applying.
If you’ve attended schools other than Hope, contact their registrar’s offices to forward transcripts from other colleges or universities you’ve attended, if needed.

Preparing for Interviews

Although most graduate programs do not require an interview (except for many health profession programs), your school may include one as part of the process. We can help you prepare for the interview.
Practice your interviewing skills in a recorded mock interview with Boerigter Center staff. Practicing is key to gaining confidence for the real thing!
Try InterviewStream, an interactive interview practice program accessible through Handshake. Refine your interviewing skills at your convenience.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Most schools require three letters of recommendation, preferably from persons qualified to evaluate your academic or work potential and performance (e.g., faculty and former employers). Give your references plenty of time before the application deadline (minimum of three–four weeks) to write the letters. At least one letter should come from a faculty member in your major field. You may also wish to obtain a recommendation from a professor in an unrelated discipline, such as your minor. Learn more about obtaining a letter of recommendation.

ENTRANCE EXAMS

Most graduate programs require a specific examination as part of the application process.

Keep in mind that some registration deadlines are set early in the school year. Developing a plan early will help ensure that you have the time you need to apply on time and with well prepared materials.

Scheduling your exam

Many exams (e.g., GRE, GMAT) are taken on a computer, and you can schedule your preferred dates online. Fall dates are the busiest and fill up quickly.
Some graduate schools require two exams; for example, the GRE Subject Exam and the General GRE.
Check the registration deadlines for the exams you need. If you do not register in time, you may have to pay extra for the exam or have to take it later.

Preparing for the Exam

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the layout and content of the exam. Take several “trial runs” before you actually take the test. We have several helpful preparation guides in our Career Library, and several organizations (e.g., Kaplan and the Princeton Review) provide structured courses to help you prepare.

Entrance Examination Resources

TIMETABLE CHECKLIST FOR APPLYING

Begin planning for graduate school at least one year before you’d like to enter. Below is an approximate planning schedule. Some schools will have rolling admission, and others will have a standard deadline. Submit your application as early as possible (October) if a school has a rolling submission.

Junior Year/Summer (at least one year Before entering graD school)

Start browsing through guides to graduate programs and college or university websites
Prepare and register for required standardized tests
Determine test requirements, application deadlines and test dates
Meet with faculty members to discuss programs
Investigate national scholarships

Senior Year/September

Take standardized test(s) if you haven’t already
Draft your statement of purpose or personal essay
Research financial aid resources, fellowships and assistantships
Discuss your statement of purpose and possible programs with faculty members
Request letters of recommendation early
Update your resume and have it reviewed by the Boerigter Center

October/November

Apply for fellowships, grants, assistantships and scholarships
Give your letter of recommendation writers the proper forms and addresses for sending their letters
Send thank-you cards to your writers
Prepare with a mock interview through the Boerigter Center
Order official transcripts from the Registrar’s Office; check to see if fall semester grades can be sent in time to meet deadlines

March/April

Discuss acceptances, rejections and options with faculty and/or Boerigter Center staff
If you would like to defer enrollment for one year, contact your graduate department
If you are rejected for admission, contact the school to discuss reasons for your rejection and gain suggestions on how to get admitted in the future
If you are applying for need-based financial aid, you may need to file a copy of your income tax return

HOW DO I PAY FOR IT?

Monetary support to attend graduate or professional school is available from several sources:

Universities
Government
Banks
Private foundations
National scholarships

Information about financial aid can be found from:

Graduate or professional school websites
Descriptive literature published by universities
Government units and foundations
Individual faculty and staff members

Financial support for graduate education may vary widely among institutions. Thoroughly investigate the availability of financial aid in all its forms as you progress through the admissions process. The Boerigter Center can assist you in this process.

Deadlines

Deadlines are usually quite early. Request a financial aid application when you ask for admissions application materials.

Types of Financial Aid

Fellowship — Graduate-level equivalent to a scholarship

Typically competitive and given on the basis of scholastic achievement
Contact the school’s financial aid department for more information
May also be available from the federal government through the institution to which you are applying

Teaching or Research Assistantships — Often available through the academic program of study

Typically 10–20 hours per week in exchange for a stipend and/or waived or reduced tuition
Request for information should be made to the department of the program that interests you

Resident Assistant or Residence Directors — Programs in which graduate students earn a stipend or room and board (or both) by living and working in undergraduate residence halls

College Work-Study Program — Part-time employment opportunities during the academic year, as well as part- or full-time summer opportunities

Find scholarships and fellowships