What Are The Requirements For Graduate School?
Minimum GPA – Some universities evaluate prospective students holistically. However, GPA remains an important indication of academic potential and is a popular prerequisite for fellowships and assistantships.Master’s programs often require a minimum 2.5 GPA, while doctoral programs generally require a 3.0 GPA or higher.
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- 1 What do you need for a graduate degree?
- 2 What is the acceptance rate for Harvard graduate school?
- 3 What is the importance of the graduate?
- 4 Who writes letters of recommendation for grad school?
- 5 Is 4 letters of recommendation too many?
- M.S. in Accounting : Specific courses in intermediate accounting and auditing are required, but you do not need to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting to qualify.
- M.S. in Computer Science : Courses in mathematics, operations systems and computer science prepare students with the technical skills to complete a master’s in computer science.
- M.S. in Nursing : Nursing programs typically require a BSN although some have admission pathways for RNs who have not earned the BSN.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) : An MBA is considered one of the most flexible master’s degrees because it focuses on building management and leadership skills across a multitude of business functions.
- Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) : An MHA is becoming an increasingly popular master’s degree as it focuses on specialized topics of management in healthcare organizations.
- Master of Public Administration (MPA) : An MPA is ideal for those interested in working in the public sector or nonprofit organizations, giving students the skills to effectively tackle unique issues that impact the success and growth of government and social service organizations.
- Independence / Confidence
- “They should be able to work with minimal supervision, but that does not mean that the supervisor is not available for discussions on the research being undertaken.””Independence of thought is a key attribute that has to develop as the PhD progresses”
- “The student should ideally be able to work independently and develop their own questions and pursue their own lines of thought.”
- Commitment
- Other expressions illustrating commitment were perseverance, persistence, determination, dedication, tenacity, resilience and endurance.
- The most important qualities a PhD candidate will need are perseverance and commitment, probably more so than raw intelligence.””All of the qualities are important for the student to get the most out of their research degree; but if they have a high level of commitment (I REALLY want to do this, and well) then the rest will usually follow”.
- “The ideal thesis student for me is someone who brings a strong sense of intellectual curiosity to their project and who is willing and able to translate that curiosity into a dedicated course of study”.
- Enthusiasm and passion A successful student is enthusiastic, passionate and has a deep interest in the subject or research.
- “A candidate for a PhD must WANT to do it, and be a self-starter”.
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Contents
What do you need for a graduate degree?
Am I Eligible for a Master’s Degree Program? – While specific requirements vary by program, degree and school, there are commonalities between master’s programs when it comes to prerequisites and application requirements. Master’s Degree Prerequisites All master’s degrees require the completion of a bachelor’s degree and usually require an undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
Many schools also require taking entrance exams like the GRE or GMAT. Some institutions, like Franklin University, require a minimum 2.75 GPA, or require you to take an entrance exam if you do not meet the GPA criteria. After that, you can expect to find a wide variety of prerequisites—from no required courses to highly-specific or technical courses that must be completed before you can begin a master’s program.
Some master’s programs require specific bachelor’s degrees or courses be completed before applying. Other programs are more liberal. Here are common examples of each. Popular programs with typical course prerequisites:
Most other specialized, technical or medical master’s degrees will have course prerequisites that must be completed before applying. Popular programs without typical course prerequisites:
Degree programs in less technical or specialized areas like these do not require a related bachelor’s degree. Instead, they evaluate criteria like academic ability, professional experience and personal characteristics when considering your application. Now that you know the basics, here’s how you take the next step to apply to the program of your choice.
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What is the most important part of the graduate school application?
What Are the Requirements for a Grad School Application? – The section below focuses on common components required in the typical graduate school application. However, keep in mind this list may look differently depending on the school or department to which you choose to apply so always make sure to read through individual school requirements carefully.
Application and Fee In some cases, applicants may be required to submit two applications — one for the school itself and another for the specific graduate program or department. Most department’s websites have a section for prospective students. There you can find all of the application requirements and links to pertinent information. The department’s page should articulate whether you must submit a separate application to the school itself or if the departmental application only will suffice. If any of the application information is unclear online, contact the department directly to ensure you have accurate information before you start working on things or send anything in.In addition to the application, there’s typically a one-time fee. Application fees vary but are often in the $50-150 range. Certain applicants, however, may be eligible for a fee waiver. To apply for a waiver, you may have to contact the department or bursar’s office. To qualify for a waiver, applicants usually need to demonstrate financial need, which sometimes includes unemployment verification, receipt of a previous GRE fee waiver, or other forms of financial hardship. Official Transcripts Graduate schools often require official transcripts from your undergraduate program(s) and, if applicable, any graduate work you have completed. Be sure to collect transcripts from all previously attended schools early on so that the documents are ready by the application deadline. It is best for admissions committees to have a full, official record of your academic history, including course titles. The documents should also show your GPA at each school. Some graduate schools require that your transcripts be sent directly from your undergraduate institution. In these cases, be sure that you give your school enough time to process your transcript request. Your application may be considered “incomplete” if your transcripts do not arrive by the specified deadline. Test Scores Depending on the program, you may have to submit standardized test scores for exams such as the GRE, GMAT or MCAT. According to the Educational Testing Service, the average score on the GRE is about 150 on verbal, 152.6 on quantitative and a 3.5 on analytical writing. On the GMAT, which is the common exam for business school applicants, the average score is 561.27. For the Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, a perfect score is 528. The average score for students admitted to medical programs during 2017-2018 was between 510-511.Most students prefer to take their standardized exams at least two months before their application deadline. This gives them a little buffer time to retake the exam if they are not satisfied with their score. Letters of Recommendation You should obtain letters of recommendation from professors, academic advisors, or any person you worked with in an academic or professional capacity that can speak to your likelihood of success as a graduate student. Avoid asking for letters from family and friends. The most effective letters come from professors with whom you have worked, particularly those who are widely known in their field. The content and length of these letters is up to your recommenders. Should they ask you what the letter should contain or how long it should be, a concise 1-2 page letter that articulates your admirable personal traits and academic abilities is ideal. Most schools require students to submit 3-4 letters of recommendation. You should give your recommenders enough time to write a thoughtful letter without worrying about a deadline. If possible, give them two months or more of lead time before the application is due. After all, they are doing you a favor so you will want to make the process as convenient as possible for them. Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose These 1-2 page documents are arguably the most important parts of the graduate school application. Schools rarely ask for applicants to submit both a personal statement and a statement of purpose. The necessary content for each of these documents is similar, but there are subtle differences applicants should be aware of. The personal statement is somewhat freeform, giving you the chance to talk about your academic trajectory more broadly and offer more insight into why you have chosen to pursue an advanced degree in your chosen field. You may have to respond to a prompt. These prompts are generally open-ended; examples include writing about a time you faced a challenge in your life, questioned a belief or idea, or experienced a moment of personal growth. Or you may be asked to describe in detail an idea or concept that sparked your desire to learn. A statement of purpose, on the other hand, needs to be more specific, academically-focused, and must outline your credentials and research ideas. Resume or CV The resume or CV provide a convenient location for the admissions committee to see all of your credentials, publications, awards, research interests, and academic and employment history all in one place. These details should be clearly organized, easy to read, and void of any non-essential verbiage. Resumes are often confined to one’s educational and employment history. CVs, or curriculum vitae, on the other hand usually entail a longer list of information including relevant awards and publications. Prospective students with only an undergraduate degree should keep their resume or CV that to one page. For advanced students, especially those with a master’s degree or substantial academic record, the CV or resume may extend into two pages. For general guidance on how to structure your CV, try reviewing faculty members’ departmental online profiles. Portfolio Portfolios may be an optional requirement, depending on the graduate program. Today’s portfolios are typically online, publicly available and are acceptable in a variety of formats. They are often extensive documents that provide supplemental information about one’s CV. Each part should highlight a specific skill or significant academic achievement. For example, advanced graduate students who already have teaching experience may have separate sections for their research interests and teaching history. Some may dedicate a section to showcasing standout work that they have completed, or to discuss extensive research projects that led to a thesis or dissertation. Portfolios also offer the chance to incorporate visuals. When starting a portfolio entirely from scratch, you should give yourself 3-6 months to complete a polished, online version — think of it as creating a highly personalized, articulate, personal website. Interview You may be required to participate in an in-person or webcam interview as part of the application process. Similar to your statement of purpose, application committees use these opportunities to assess how well you will fit into the department. The committee will ask you about your research interests and how you plan on pursuing those goals should you be admitted. Be sure to come up with concise but concrete ways of describing your work and goals. Do your best to remain calm and to-the-point.
What is the acceptance rate for Harvard graduate school?
| University/institution | Acceptance rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 4.6 |
| Stanford University | 4.3 |
| Yale University | 6.1 |
| Brown University | 7.1 |
What makes you a good fit for a graduate program?
The 10 Most Important Qualities of the Ideal Graduate Research Candidate – Intelligence Intelligence (including academic ability, intellect, brightness and common sense) was the most common quality associated with the ideal graduate research candidate.
The ability to work and think independently is one of the basic prerequisites for studying a research degree. Qualities associated with independence were confidence, initiative and the ability to take responsibility.Almost half of the supervisors mentioned commitment (to gain knowledge, to complete work or to do well) as the key to successful research degree completion.
Literacy / numeracy Literacy, mostly described as good writing and language skills as well as the ability to express and organise ideas, is highly valued by most supervisors. Some supervisors also require their students to have essential statistical and mathematical skills.
“I think that writing ability is very important – it wastes a lot of my time (and the student’s) if we have to spend a lot of effort and time on correcting drafts.””Literacy is on the list simply because time pressures don’t allow a student the luxury of a lack of writing skill to start with, however writing can be taught.” Time management / organisational skills The ideal research degree student is organised, can plan their work, meets deadlines, pays attention to detail and meets regularly with supervisors.
Overall they have good study and work habits. “A good student is one who works hard, plans their programme of work (with advice) and has the imagination to see the beauty and fascination of a research topic and then to write clearly and precisely about what he or she has discovered”.
“For me, the desire to do research and a passion for the field of inquiry are key, but they are not the only things needed.””Although academic background is essential it is not sufficient in the absence of dedication and enthusiasm and communication skill”.
“In my opinion the most important properties are a commitment to work hard, and when problems are encountered to be able to look at them from many angles and find logical solutions. Generally these traits will only come with a strong passion for the work they are doing”. Ability to think The ability to think refers to the capacity to develop necessary research skills including the ability to analyze, synthesize, conceptualise, develop an argument and think critically.
Ideal students can think broadly (‘get the big picture’), laterally and logically. “An ideal student is marked by an ability to think, ask questions, and look for the answers in research, and be prepared to write and argue about them (in writing and with supervisors)”.”The student should be able to think both at the metalevel and at the object level, in other words both about the general coarse-grained aspects of relevance and broad patterns, and at the fine-grained level of intricate details”.
Hard working/ diligence Studying a research degree requires diligence and hard work. Strong work ethics, discipline, focus, efficiency and professionalism are all necessary for successful study and research. “PG study is hard work and dedication. Having a life while studying is also important. The best students have a balance to their lives where they work hard but enjoy their time at university too.””Hard working and paying attention to supervisors’ advice are highly required.” Motivation Good research students have strong reasons for pursuing a PhD or Master’s degree; they are ambitious and highly motivated to learn new things and get a graduate degree.
“I think one reason why so many students take too long to complete is because they are not pursuing a PhD for the right reason (or for any reason at all)””Self-motivation is the essential ingredient that will help make even the more challenged students successful.””Although high-intelligence (good exam marks) are required prior to commencing graduate research I would rate motivation as the most important factor”.
What is the importance of the graduate?
Undergraduate education gives students a broad, general education. Graduate education provides students with more advanced learning in a specialized discipline or sub-discipline.
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What if I don t have letters of recommendation for grad school?
Reach out to your academic advisor Send them an inquiry email that includes an update of what you are doing now, your transcript and resume, and any other helpful information. Let them know you are reaching out because you are seeking an academic reference letter.
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Who writes letters of recommendation for grad school?
Requesting Letters of Recommendation 
Recommendation letters are a crucial piece of your graduate school application. An effective letter should provide those making admissions decisions with an assessment of your potential as a graduate student and/or researcher. It is important that a recommendation letter be written by someone who knows you well academically.
Faculty members most commonly write letters of recommendation; however, other professionals who know you well and have supervised your work in academia or research may also be appropriate choices. Although as an applicant you cannot control a letter’s content or ensure your recommender submits the letter on time, there are things you can do to make the process as successful as possible.
How you request a letter of recommendation influences the quality and type of response you receive from your recommender. Below are some tips for making your request:
Ask to meet with your recommender(s) to discuss your desire to apply to graduate school. During the meeting you will have the opportunity to discuss your academic interests further, and request the letter of recommendation in person. Ask them if they are willing to write you a strong letter. Communicate with your recommenders about your goals for graduate study, your career aspirations, and how you chose your schools and programs. Give your recommenders a copy of your transcript and CV or resume. This helps them gain a better understanding of your background and interests. Provide your recommenders with the following information in a concise format:
A list of the schools and programs to which you are applying, along with the deadlines and formats for submitting recommendation letters A copy of your transcript and a list of relevant courses taken Titles and abstracts of pertinent research papers you have written Honors and awards received Related academic and research activities (poster presentations, symposia, internship programs, etc.) Copies of admissions essays
Give your recommenders at least several weeks’ notice. You do not want your recommenders to be rushed; instead, you want to give them enough time to write a comprehensive and accurate letter. The Cornell Graduate School application utilizes an electronic recommendation letter submission system in which applicants provide the names and contact information for their recommenders as part of the online application. Recommenders then receive an email instructing them how to submit their letter. Learn more about, Check with your recommenders to make sure they submit the letter, but do not hound them. Anything other than a positive letter has the potential to harm your application. If a recommender denies your request for a letter, thank them for their consideration and find another recommender.
Make time to let your recommenders know the final outcome of your graduate school search; it is considerate and they will want to know. : Requesting Letters of Recommendation
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What’s the hardest University to get into?
Harvard, Stanford and Princeton, unsurprisingly, are America’s toughest colleges to get into in 2023, according to Niche’s most recent rankings.
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Is it easier for international students to get into Harvard?
We welcome applications from all over the world. Our admissions and financial aid processes are the same for all applicants – regardless of nationality or citizenship.
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What is a weakness for a graduate school interview?
Examples of weaknesses might include: Lack of confidence speaking in public. Not detailed-orientated enough. Competitive.
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How do you introduce yourself in graduate school?
Tell Me about Yourself – Biomedical Graduate Education 
By Julia Sosenko BGE Career Strategy & Professional Development Tell Me about Yourself You know yourself better than anyone else does, but it can still be difficult to describe “who you are” in a job interview. If you feel this way, you’re not alone. Even after conducting countless interviews as a corporate recruiter, I found this question difficult to answer, until I learned of a simple framework for organizing my thoughts:
The Basics – Start off with your name and what your current position is. If you are still pursuing your degree, say what you are studying, and also mention any employment you have at the time (if applicable.) Your strengths – Share a couple of your strengths (go for ones that you know would add value to this position.) If you are not comfortable with this humble brag, mention what you have been told about yourself (i.e. “my colleagues and supervisors have told me that I am X, Y, and Z.”) Your goal and how it lead you to this employer – This ties the answer back to the employer. Speak to your current goal in your career path (you may have many goals, so make sure to speak to one that is relevant to the position,) and how that has led you to pursue this position.
This framework will assure that you are not longwinded in your response. It will remind you to stick to what is relevant, and avoid sharing too many details or long stories about your history. Here is an example of one way to follow this framework: “My name is Julia Sosenko and I am currently a graduate student at Georgetown University pursuing a Master’s degree in Biotechnology.
I also work part-time at the X Company in Washington D.C. as a data analyst. I am very analytical, creative, and service oriented. Throughout my internships, academics, and volunteer work, I have been able to really expand my knowledge of the healthcare industry, and receive experience interacting with patients and hospital administrators.
I am now seeking an opportunity to work in a team-based environment where I can make a direct impact in the healthcare industry on a broad scale. I know that your consulting team is very collaborative, and that your mission is to provide practical solutions for your clients’ deepest challenges, which is why I am very excited to be considered for this position.” 
Learn from faculty, staff, postdocs, students and alumni through our Career Catalyst blog. : Tell Me about Yourself – Biomedical Graduate Education
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How long is a grad school interview?
How long does the interview take? – Most graduate school interviews are conversational in nature, with an average of just 10 questions. An interview can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, and giving short answers is more likely to earn you extra questions than it is to let you out early, so don’t be afraid to add nuance and texture to your responses through added details.
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Is 2 letters of recommendation enough?
How many letters or recommendation do I need? Schools vary on the number of letters of recommendation they require, so make sure to check each school’s requirements in LSAC. Typically, two-four letters are required, meaning schools most commonly require two letters but will accept up to four.
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Is 4 letters of recommendation too many?
What Else Do I Need? – Familiarize yourself with the different requirements among schools and pay close attention to their instructions. Most colleges will ask for up to three letters of recommendation, so keep that in mind and don’t overdo it. If a school wants two recommendation letters, only submit two.
The goal is to maximize your chances of being accepted, so it’s important to keep the admissions officer in mind and avoid doing anything that makes their job harder. Also, remember that the people who write your letters of recommendation are doing you a big favor, so make sure to thank them and show your gratitude.
Hand-written thank you cards are always appreciated! If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to maximize your potential and turn your dream school into a reality. Now that you know what you need for your letters of recommendation, it’s time to start sending applications.
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Should you submit more than 3 letters of recommendation?
Do you recommend submitting more than three letters of recommendation? – You should submit more than three letters of recommendation only if you strongly feel that additional recommendations would add significantly to your application. view all FAQs
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