How The Common App Will Be Improved

How The Common App Will Be Improved

Younger siblings who have seen their brothers and sisters throw up their arms in frustration at the Common Application will be relieved to know that they themselves will not have to face the same fate.  The Common Application, currently accepted by more than 450 colleges and universities, is scheduled for an overhaul starting in the summer of 2013.  If you are currently a sophomore in high school, then you will be using The Common App 4.0 when you are applying to colleges.  Existing in paper form for many years, it is only recently that the Common App has tried to "catch up" to technology, even as smartphone and tablet usage has ... Read More About How The Common App Will Be Improved

How Graduate Schools Analyze Applications

How Graduate Schools Analyze Applications

Graduate schools receive more applications than you could ever imagine. That’s no secret to anyone. So, grad school admissions committees (comprised of counselors, professors and sometimes even students) use a systematic process for filtering applications. When admissions committees see your application, they are trying to answer one question: will this student be successful here and in his/her career? This is the filter most grad schools drag applications through: 1. GPA/GRE screening: Typically, grad schools place a stronger emphasis on research and practical experience than test scores, assuming they are a better predictor of futur ... Read More About How Graduate Schools Analyze Applications

How To Interview For Graduate School Admissions

How To Interview For Graduate School Admissions

First of all: congratulations because you have passed nearly every round of the application process, and your prospective school is ready to admit you. Now, you just have to ace your interview. Tutors who have been through the process before can help you.  Basics: You may interview with an admissions committee group (comprised of faculty members, admissions counselors or even students), or individually with any of those. Most interviews will be in-person, but some may be over-the-phone. Typically, interviews are 30-60 minutes, but some schools will invite students for weekend-long events, full with multiple interviews and meet-and-g ... Read More About How To Interview For Graduate School Admissions

Why Research Experience Is Important For Grad School Apps

Why Research Experience Is Important For Grad School Apps

GRE scores, GPA, transcripts, letters of recommendation, quality of undergrad school, admission essay / personal statement, research, and even where you live can all impact your admission chances. Some of those factors are completely beyond your control and others are somewhat controllable. But, there is one factor that can greatly improve your chances of being accepted, and you can completely control it. That factor is research experience. Research experience is not required to apply to graduate school. But, it has become increasingly more popular, to the point where if you don’t have a project, it hurts your chances. Research c ... Read More About Why Research Experience Is Important For Grad School Apps

How To Write An Application Essay For Grad School

How To Write An Application Essay For Grad School

Some schools may require a succinct personal statement – a couple paragraphs about who you are as a student. But, other schools/programs may require multiple admissions essays, typically between 500-1,000 words. Possible prompts include: career plans, academic interests, research experiences, academic objectives, clinical and field experience, academic achievements and personal experience. But, ultimately, what grad schools really want to know is if you will be successful. Follow these steps to prove that:  Establish a clear purpose: What do you want to do? Do you want to find the cure for cancer or help small children overcome ps ... Read More About How To Write An Application Essay For Grad School