Prepare for Graduate School
A graduate degree can expand your career opportunities and help you develop specialized skills, gain research experience, and grow personally and professionally.
Deciding to attend graduate school can be challenging. If you are still unsure, read the article “Grad School: Is It Right for You?” Once you decide to pursue a graduate degree, preparing early is important so you know what to expect.
Graduate School Research & Exploration
- CSU Graduate Programs— Review all graduate degree programs at all California State University
- schools.
- UC Graduate Programs – Review all graduate degree programs at all University of California schools.
- Petersons.com —Offers a database of graduate or professional degrees by: name or location; search by: academic areas or professional degrees (law, MBA, medical, etc.).
- Gradschools.com —A comprehensive graduate school site of information.
- Graduate School Research Checklist– This is an editable Google Sheet that can help you determine what information you need from each graduate school, as well as help you stay up to date on tasks you need to complete. Download and begin adding your research.
Graduate School Application
Transcripts are an important part of the application review process. Admissions committees use them to evaluate academic history, GPA trends, completed coursework, or degree progress.
You must submit transcripts from:
- All colleges/universities attended
- Community colleges
- Summer sessions
- Schools attended for only one semester
*Not reporting previous coursework or institutions may violate academic integrity policies
Important:
- Some programs accept unofficial transcripts first.
- Others require official transcripts when applying.
- Check each program’s specific requirements carefully.
For Chico State transcripts, see the instructions in Transcript Requests.
Grad school prerequisites and required tests depend heavily on your specific discipline. Review each graduate program to learn of the specific requirements.
Entrance Exams
Some programs might have exams such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test), or MCAT (Medical College Admission Test).
Prerequisite Courses
Some graduate programs require prerequisite courses before admission, so students should review program requirements early to ensure they complete any classes needed before applying. Requirements vary by institution, and some programs may offer conditional admission if prerequisite coursework is still in progress, provided it is completed before beginning graduate-level classes.
While some graduate programs use a centralized application system, many require separate online applications for each individual program. Using the Graduate School Tracking Sheet can help you stay organized by keeping track of application deadlines, required materials, and submission statuses for each school.
In addition, application fees may vary between programs, so it is important to monitor these costs as you apply. Be sure to contact each school directly to ask about available application fee waivers or eligibility requirements.
A personal statement, statement of purpose, or letter of intent, is an opportunity for you to support or enhance other parts of your application. It is your first chance to help the admissions committee understand your motivation for pursuing this career while giving them a sense of who you are. The personal statement tells your story and the context that shaped who you are as a person – your values, interests and goals. Your statement should breathe life into your application and make the admission committee feel something.
Review this video to get more practical insight into the structuring and content of your statement.
Letters of recommendation provide additional perspectives on why you would be a strong fit for the programs you are applying to. These letters are typically written by instructors, supervisors, or previous managers who can speak to your academic achievements, professional experience, and potential for graduate study. Ensure you review the requirements for each program to ensure you gather the appropriate letters.
If you are currently enrolled in courses, take the opportunity to build meaningful connections with your faculty. These relationships can not only support your request for a recommendation letter, but also provide valuable guidance throughout the graduate school application process.
To make requesting a recommendation easier, we’ve provided an email template below. You can customize the message to fit your relationship with each prospective recommender and the specific programs you are applying to.
Your resume is an important part of your graduate school application and should highlight your academic achievements, leadership experience, research, internships, work experience, and relevant skills.
Before applying, make sure your resume is updated, polished, and tailored to each program you are applying to. Proofread carefully for formatting, grammar, and clarity, and consider having a mentor, professor, or career advisor review it before submission.
