Applying to Grad School

Commitment to a master's or a Doctoral program is a major decision. You will want to investigate your options in relation to personal, academic and professional factors. Among the most important factors to keep in mind as you research programs are:

• Program focus and areas of specialty
• Length of the program
• Costs and available financial assistance
• Program's contributions to your field
• Reputation of program and faculty - internationally, nationally, and locally
• Research facilities
• Opportunities for teaching, research or field experiences
• Student/faculty ratios
• Professional opportunities after graduation
• Program location (available community, cost of living, etc.)

In addition to personal and field-specific factors, program pre-requisites are also important to keep in mind while finalizing your application strategy:

• Many people use a Master’s Degree to pivot to a new industry. As such, you may not need an undergraduate degree in the same field, though you will need to make the case for the connection between your degrees. 
• While Doctoral programs in the U.S. and Canada may only require an Undergraduate Degree, having a Master's Degree in a related field is often a positive factor in admissions. It is not uncommon for programs to admit students who have an undergraduate or a Master's in an unrelated or loosely related field too if they demonstrate strong scholarly potential.
• Doctoral programs across Europe and the U.K. typically require a Master's degree, often in a related field. Take this into consideration while searching for programs.
• Master’s programs are typically between 1-3 years depending on the field.
• Program completion timelines for Doctoral Degrees vary across countries and institutions:
  • Programs in the U.S. and Canada require more coursework and have longer programs around 5 years or more.
  • Programs across Europe and the U.K. can require minimal to no coursework and thus  much shorter timelines.

The following comprehensive graduate school sites can help you explore options for graduate programs:

• MastersPortal: Master’s programs in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and Germany.
• FindAMasters: Master’s programs in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and selected EU countries.
• Peterson’s Graduate Channel: Doctoral programs in the U.S., blog posts on how to prepare for different types of Doctoral programs, database of scholarships.
• GradSchools: Doctoral programs in the U.S,Canada, and Europe, information on application requirements for different programs.
• FindAPhD: World's largest database for Ph.D. programs.
• PhDScanner: Doctoral positions in the U.S. and Europe, academic professional development resources.
• PhDPortal:  Ph.D. positions in the U.S. and Europe, compiled information on application requirements and timelines.
• Euraxess: Grant-funded research and Ph.D. positions in Europe.

Once you are satisfied with the range of programs you have investigated, you will be in a position to create a list of the programs that match your priorities. To increase the probability that you are accepted to at least one program of your choice you may want to employ a “tier” application strategy: apply to a range of programs, from those that are highly selective to others for which you would be a highly competitive candidate. The suggestion for the number of programs to apply for varies by discipline and degree level, so we recommend seeking out advice from your field.

You can also utilize individual coaching appointments for career exploration to get guidance on your program search. Book an appointment with the UCC career coaching team through your Handshake account!

Start searching for programs early, ideally six months to a year before you’re planning to apply. Keep in mind that an application cycle can take up to a year.

• Master’s and Doctorate applications in the U.S. and Canada typically open in early to mid-Fall and end in December, with interviews and campus visits in Winter and decisions by late Spring for a program that starts in August or September.
• It is common for Doctoral programs in European institutions to be classified as jobs.These positions are typically only open for applications when there is an active project with funding available, so they do not open on a regular basis. Master’s programs across European institutions tend to open regularly in Fall, but there can be irregularities or exceptions between different fields, institutions, and countries. 

You can book a career exploration appointment with a career coach to start mapping out your personal application timeline!

Programs in different countries may have different conventions around application fees:

• It is common for programs in the U.S. and Canada to require a non-refundable application fee, which can be up to $100 and more depending on the program.
• Application fees are rarer in institutions across Europe and the U.K. 
• Some programs might allow requests for application fee waivers based on your financial situation.
• Consider the overall cost of application fees when deciding on how many programs to apply to.

• Many Master’s programs do not guarantee funding or they are partially funded. 
• Similarly, funding can vary vastly between different professional doctorates, with many of them being partially funded.
• Many research doctorates are fully funded, meaning that the funding covers tuition costs and a stipend. It is also possible for Doctoral funding to cover tuition costs only depending on the program type or the country. It is common for research doctorates in the U.S.and Canada to offer 5-year funding packages.
• Master’s or Doctoral programs across Europe may rely entirely on external funding resources or state funding for research that you might need to apply for separately. Requirements for funding applications can also vary for EU citizens and non-EU citizens.
• Financial assistance in the U.S. ranges from loans to fellowships to scholarships. You will find that some assistance is allocated on the basis of need while other funding is awarded for merit, special achievements, or service to the institution.

Some deadlines for financial assistance may be earlier than the admissions deadlines. Pay close attention to eligibility requirements, application procedures, and deadlines. Here are several web resources devoted to financial aid information:

• FastWeb: lets students create a personalized profile that can be matched against a database of scholarships
• FinAid: a comprehensive collection of information about student financial aid
• E Student Loan: for loan comparisons and on-line applications
• Scholarships.com: a free scholarship search service, and financial aid resource
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): provides information on the application needed for federal student financial aid
• U-M Library's Guide to Student Funding: a collection of information about funding and contact information for U-M library staff with expertise in student funding

An application letter or a statement of purpose is structurally very similar to a cover letter, and it is often the first document that the admissions committee will read. You can check out our cover letter resources page for tips and examples!

• These letters are typically around or under 2 pages, and they follow the Present-Past-Future template in summarizing your relevant academic endeavors.
• The content of your essay will be defined by the guidelines outlined on the application:
  • Some programs will provide little structure, allowing you to choose the aspects of your background you wish to highlight.
  • For others you may be asked to respond to specific questions. 

The essay is your chance to elaborate on your academic background, your research interests within the discipline, your ideas and aspirations for future career directions, and why you are applying to that specific program.

With that in mind, consider these points before you begin writing:

• Be clear, concise and organized. Write efficiently, with no ambiguity. Develop your ideas in an orderly fashion, using examples when needed.
• Be positive. Sell yourself, highlighting positive qualities; approach weaknesses in your background cautiously, keeping the tone of your document positive, not apologetic.
• Be honest and direct. Don’t inflate your achievements, but also don’t underestimate your potential. Be sure to address specific questions that are asked.
• Be personal. Essays are your chance to convey a more complete picture of yourself, beyond test scores and grades. Take the opportunity to share something of yourself that will have meaning for the admissions committee.

Some programs may also require additional personal statements or diversity statements. These documents typically focus on your personal background that may or may not have affected your academic work and goals. These types of essays, if required, are your chance to convey a more complete picture of yourself, beyond test scores, grades, presentations, or publications. Take the opportunity to share something of yourself that will have meaning for the admissions committee.

• Most Doctoral programs will require you to submit a CV instead of a resume though some programs accept both, and Master’s programs tend to prefer resumes though some accept CVs too. Check out what the key differences between CVs and resumes are before you start drafting one or the other!
• Keep in mind that some Doctoral programs across Europe are considered job positions, and might require a resume instead in line with the regular job application conventions there. 

At the UCC, we focus on industry job searches but you can still utilize individual coaching appointments for resume reviews to get  feedback on your resume or CV!

If you are a student who is looking to develop your CV for a tenure-track faculty role, we suggest that you work with your advisor or another faculty member in your department. Other resources that can help include: 

• The Center for Research, Learning, & Teaching
• The Rackham Professional and Academic Development
• Sweetland Center for Writing 
• The Center for the Education of Women+

A writing sample is where you showcase your abilities in scholarly writing. While a writing sample within the field that you're applying to is preferred, many programs also accept writing samples from other fields as long as they showcase scholarly writing. If you are unsure about the relevance or the content of your writing sample, it’s okay to reach out to the program and ask clarifying questions!

A writing sample can be:

• A term paper
• A conference proceedings paper
• A chapter from your Master's thesis
• Any other example of scholarly writing that you wrote as a single-author for a grade or publication.

Writing samples are typically 20-30 pages long maximum, while some programs may allow additional length for including bibliography or appendices. However, each program may list different page count requirements for writing sample(s), so refer to your chosen program’s application materials page for detailed information to adjust the length of your writing sample for that specific program.

Make sure to check out the resources that the Sweetland Center for Writing offers for peer support and feedback on your scholarly writing.

Letters of reference provide committees with additional perspectives on your past performance and future potential, and play a key role in the application for graduate and professional school, employment, scholarships, enrichment programs.

• Programs typically ask for 2-3 reference letters for each applicant. 
• You do not usually submit letters of recommendation yourself, but you're asked to provide contact information (email) through which your references will receive a separate notification and a link to submit their letters without you seeing them.
• While some applications may allow additional time for LoRs to be submitted after the application deadline, it is typically the case that the letters have the same deadline as the other application materials. This is why it is crucial for you to notify your references about needing a letter ahead of time, and keep them updated on different application deadlines. 

Who to ask for a Letter of Reference

• Consider who can comment specifically on your skills and abilities related to your chosen career area. It is common to pick at least one person who can talk about one specific skill (teaching, research, academic  service) in detail.
• Request letters only from people who know you well enough to write strong letters of support; you may wish to arrange a meeting with the writer to discuss your future plans for an advanced degree.
• Consider the range of possible writers, and which writers might best serve your purposes. Writers could include faculty, teaching assistants, past employers, or supervisors from volunteer and leadership experiences. It is typically not appropriate to ask for reference letters from your peers.
• Allow at least four weeks, ideally longer, for the letter to be written, keeping in mind that you may be one of several graduate/professional school candidates requesting a letter from a particular faculty member.
• It is common for recommenders to ask you for a copy of your statement of purpose, resume/CV, and key details to highlight. Be prepared for this before you ask anyone. 

It will be extremely important that the authors of your reference letters understand the specific expectations that your targeted programs will have for these evaluations.The following resources are designed to support letter writers as well as students so that better information and preparation may lead to stronger outcomes:

• Best Practices for Letter Writers
• Reference Letters FAQ for Students

Also see the American Association of Medical Colleges guidelines for how to write effective reference letters in support of medical school applications.

Depending on the type of programs you will be applying to, you may be able to utilize reference letters that were assembled in the past and managed by dossier services such as Interfolio, or you may need to have your recommenders upload their letters directly to specific application services/systems.

Each program has its own requirements for standardized tests though they are not as common nowadays outside of specialized professional doctorates. Knowing what tests are required will allow you to prepare well in advance of the test date, so refer to the application requirements page of your target programs for specific information.

• If you’re applying outside of your home country, many programs may require language proficiency tests.
  • If you are applying to a program in a non-English speaking country, carefully examine the language requirements even if the program itself is in English. Some programs will still require a certain level of proficiency in the local language or require you to take certain language classes as a condition for acceptance.
  • If you're a prospective international student from a non-English speaking country applying to programs in English speaking countries, you will likely be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or other standardized language proficiency test results. Some programs also accept Duolingo English Test. Some programs may defer this requirement if your previous degree is from an institution where the language of education is English, such as U of M.
• It is still fairly common for Doctoral programs in the U.S. to require GRE test scores. 
• As for professional Doctorates, the most common tests are LSAT for Law School and MCAT for Med School.

When to take tests?

It’s best practice to try to prepare and take the required tests approximately one year prior to enrollment. However, there is not one “right” time to take a standardized test. You are encouraged to take the test when you are most prepared. 

Last but not least, consider the cost of taking required standardized tests and the cost of sending them to schools on top of any application fees when setting a budget for your graduate school applications.