GRE’s, SOP’s, LOR’s… what?! The process of applying to graduate school can be an arduous and confusing one. In fact, many applicants may find that they really understand the process only after completing it. There are several resources, however, that prospective grad students can utilize to take the mystery (and worry) out of applying to the school or program of their dreams (and maybe a few more, for safety’s sake).
Social Networking Sites Demystify the Process of Applying to Graduate School
Managing all the requirements of graduate school applications is a battle, by itself. Understanding what, exactly, all those requirements entail is another matter, entirely! Fortunately, many brave souls have navigated the treacherous waters of grad school applications before, and have gained lots of invaluable insight into the process – a resource prospective grad students should capitalize on.
Grad student social networking sites such as thegradcafe.com contain message boards replete with wisdom from former (successful) applicants, as well as other prospective graduate students who are embarking on the journey, themselves. These sites feature threads discussing the general financial, logistical, and emotional resources needed during the application process, as well as helpful information about maximizing GRE scores, securing stellar letters of recommendation, writing clear and note-worthy statements of purpose, etc.
Social Networking Sites Help Ease the Stress of Waiting for Admissions Decisions
Perhaps even more difficult than applying to graduate school is waiting to know whether or not all the hard work was done in vain. Some grad programs are notorious for keeping applicants in the dark concerning the inner workings of their admissions process. Often, it can take months to hear any news of acceptance or rejection. Unfortunately, many students find themselves stressed and fretful for these months, feeling unaware and helpless against the whims of impersonal admissions committees.
Fortunately, grad student networking sites, including yuster.com, also feature admissions results databases. Here, applicants can catalogue any correspondence they have with graduate departments, keeping all users abreast of the general trends occurring with their particular school or program of interest. For example, if grad applicant X goes to the database and enters that he has been offered an interview for the English Ph.D. program at 123 University, then applicant Y, who has applied to the same program, knows that she will probably hear something soon about interviews, or, if she doesn’t, she probably is not among the program’s top choices for potential admits.
Online Networking Provides Resources for Accepting Offers and Relocating
Even upon receipt of the magical news that one has been accepted into a graduate program, the process of actually going to graduate school is far from over. For example, many applicants receive offers of admission from multiple schools/programs, and must now engage in some intensive research to decide which school and associated locale is best suited for their interests and needs. Fortunately, grad student networking sites also offer school/program and city guides, full of first hand information regarding the in’s and out’s and up’s and down’s associated with going to X University or living in City Y.
These guides cover everything from cool local restaurants frequented by grad students, to whether or not it is feasible to rely on a particular city’s public transit system to get around. Students can also compare the relative prestige, resources, etc. of programs as they make that important decision of where, exactly, they want to go. Using this information, prospective students can gain valuable insight into how life might be upon moving to another city or joining a particular program, vital information for making the decision to accept a particular school’s offer.
Brian Daniels - Brian Daniels is a student, teacher, and aspiring writer based out of Greenville, SC. He is currently a senior at Southern Wesleyan ...
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