Applying to graduate school
Thinking About Applying to Graduate School?
Applying to graduate school can be confusing and intimidating. There’s so much to consider. Everything from whether you should apply at all, to the technical details of how to choose and apply to graduate school. So, if you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, but are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect, you’re in the right place. We’re here to help you apply to graduate school, including free resources and expert advice.
Graduate Student Greatness [that’s us] is the place to get support for every stage of graduate school. Whether you need help applying to graduate school, have been accepted and want to be prepared to start graduate school, or are a current student going through it, we aim to provide free resources, mentorship, and community to help support you on the wild ride that is, graduate school.
So Let’s Talk About Applying to Graduate School
WE HAVE GOOD NEWS AND BAD
The Good News
The job market for people with advanced degrees is solid. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between now and 2032, the U.S. will average 500,000 job openings annually for people with master’s, doctoral, or professional degrees.
The Bad News
The bad news is that getting into graduate school is more competitive than ever. Applications are up while enrollment is down. As of the last survey conducted by the Council of Graduate Schools, graduate programs experienced a 3.9% increase in applications, but enrolled 4.7% fewer new students than the prior year.
What This Means When Applying to Graduate School
With the increase in competition, you’re going to have to plan your graduate school applications strategically. You’ll have to employ all the tricks of the trade to get an edge over your competition; nothing can be taken for granted. It means, that you’re going to have to work hard and work smart to earn your place in graduate school.
We Believe In You
Don’t be discouraged. Although your application needs to be awesome, that doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. Applying to graduate school isn’t all about perfect GPAs or high exam scores. It’s also about who you are as a candidate, what your ambitions are, and how well you will fit into your graduate program of choice. The perfect application demonstrates why graduate schools want you in their program and we can help you do that effectively.
Help Applying to Graduate School
That’s why we are here. We want to help you craft a stellar graduate school application. We are here to support you with the resources you need to get through the application process. We are here to help you take your mundane application and make it phenomenal. We’re here to support you from your application to graduation, and beyond.
Applying to Graduate School Can Be Confusing
We want to demystify the graduate school application process and make it more accessible. We don’t take it for granted that you have a mentor to teach you the “hidden curriculum.” We understand that many bright and talented individuals don’t have someone to ask about the process and strategy of applying to graduate school.
If this is where you are, please know that the problem isn’t you. You’re not stupid or unprepared for not knowing the lingo, or what questions to ask, or feeling overwhelmed by the process. Not knowing how to go about applying to graduate school doesn’t mean that you won’t make a great graduate student. All it means is that you didn’t luck out and have a faculty member, friend, or family member who could talk you through it.
Questions When Applying to Graduate School
You probably already have questions when it comes to applying to graduate school and there are probably many more that you don’t know enough to ask. Questions like:
- How many graduate programs should I apply to?
- How do I choose a program to apply to?
- How do I craft a strong personal statement? And is that the same as a research statement?
- What’s the process and timeline for applying to graduate school?
- Do I need to contact prospective advisors in advance? If so, when and how?
These are all great questions. Want the answers to them? Join the Graduate Student Greatness community, the greatest grad. student community on the web to get help and free resources for applying to graduate school.
About Graduate Student Greatness
We are a group of current and former graduate students working to create a community supporting the next generation of highly skilled professionals. That’s you. You are the next generation of scientists, researchers, healthcare providers, economists, and more, and we’re here to help you achieve your potential so that you can make your best contributions to our world.
How Does Grad Student Greatness Work?
This website provides several free resources open to anyone who visits (e.g., our graduate school survival blog, the motivational style quiz, and our glossary of graduate school terminology). However, the vast majority of our content is exclusive to members. Members can log in using the link in the menu to access the exclusive GSG Dashboard that gives them access to a variety of free resources and support. Including resources like:
- Our Grad School Application Planner
- Tips for improving your academic writing (a must for crafting compelling application materials)
- Templates for contacting prospective advisors
- Access to graduate student coaches and mentors
- and more.
Plus, we are constantly working to add more, not just for those applying to graduate school but at every step along the graduate school journey. And, the great news is that it’s free and easy to join! All you have to do is:
1) Register. Click the button, enter a name and email, and create a password you’d like to use to log on.
Already a Member? Log In
2) Log in. After registration, you’ll be automatically redirected to log in with your shiny new credentials.
3) Explore. Every time you log in, you’ll be taken to your dashboard where you can explore all the benefits of membership at your leisure.
Help Applying to Graduate School
If you’re applying to graduate school, you need to take advantage of every resource possible and we’ve got your back. Join us and you’ll receive exclusive access to vital application information, including:
- Our Graduate School Application Guide
- Our Short Course to Supercharge Your Personal Statement
- Access to the Online Forum and Discord channel to get advice from students who’ve been where you are and gotten accepted.
- Exclusive invitations to special events.
- Guidance on Improving Your Academic Writing
- Tips on Questions to Ask When Interviewing
- Daily Inspiration to Keep Up Motivation
- and so much more…
Already a Member? Log In
Plus, when you get accepted to grad. school – and we know you will – we’ve got the resources you’ll need to prepare for and succeed in your program, then get hired when you are done!
We want to build community; to help you network and make lifelong friends; to encourage, support and inspire you; and teach you the unwritten rules of grad. school so you can make your mark on the world!
What’s the catch?
There isn’t one. Seriously. Our goal is to help every current and aspiring graduate student reach their dreams; regardless of their background, financial circumstances, or challenges.
There’s no cost to membership, there’s no time limit to membership. You don’t need a credit card to join. We provide 99% of our materials for free and the rest (which are clearly marked), at a small cost to help support the community and provide even more valuable resources in the future.
We believe in the proverb: a rising tide lifts all boats. Anything we do now to support a brighter future can only lead to a better world for all of us.