So, you’ve done your homework, and you’ve decided that the time is right: You’re ready to head back to college, and you know where you want to go. Now what? How do you get in? While there may be a school or two out there that takes almost anyone who expresses an interest, most of them have a standardized application process. What kind of hoops are you going to have to jump through? Let’s take a look.
But first, a disclaimer: My university’s admissions process seemed to be pretty standard, but it definitely varies from school to school. Obviously, when exploring your education options, make sure you find out the pertinent details about getting in.
Now, my school’s admissions process included seven main parts. Don’t panic – it seems more than it is. We’re going to walk through each one, going from easiest to most effort required. And we can divide these components into two main categories – what you can control and what you can’t.
Let’s start with what you can’t control, and we can get those parts out of the way.
Application
This is something you’ve got down: You know how to fill out an application, so just do it and get it over with. It usually requires the general information you don’t even have to think about: Name, address, work experience, education, etc.
The hardest part of filling out the application for admission? For me, it was writing the check. At my school, it costs $50 to apply for graduate school. But that’s on the low end these days. I’ve got a friend applying to more prestigious schools who shelled out $150 per application. Look at this way: You might as well get used to writing checks.
Official Undergraduate Transcript
Again, this is an easy one. Make a call, possibly pay a fee, and you can cross this one off your list. A copy of my undergrad transcript ran $10 a copy; for such a bargain, I ordered two so I could have one to keep. The money was well worth it – I had a nice walk down memory lane pouring over the classes I took more than a decade ago.
Now, for some of you, this is a potential cause of stress. Let’s just say some of us had more fun as undergrads than others. It’s possible that your transcript – and associated GPA — aren’t some of your more shining moments. But don’t write off grad school yet.
Yes, most programs ask for a minimum GPA, but it’s all relative. At my school, the GPA is relative to your GMAT score: The lower the GPA, the higher the score you need.
In addition, there are other controls in place as well to help balance out a year or two spent socializing rather than studying (more on that next time). Remember today’s theme: The things you can’t control. Your GPA is set, no matter what it is.
Well, we’ve got the easy part done! Tune in next time, and we’ll discuss two more parts of the admissions process – ones we can’t really control but that we can steer in the right direction.
