by Quinn Peterson

Created on: December 06, 2008   Last Updated: July 22, 2010

Applying for graduate school can be a stressful and tiresome process. A process which ultimately leads to hair-pulling anxiety while you're waiting for the acceptance verdict. The tips outlined in this article will not only help diminish your stress levels, they will improve your chances at receiving the coveted acceptance letter.

1. Do your time.

Once the decision is made to attend graduate school, devote as much time as you can to expand your educational network. Volunteer by becoming a student assistant for your favorite professor or aiding them with their current research. When you later ask the professor for a letter of recommendation, not only will they will remember how much you've helped them, they will believe you are more prepared for graduate school. Additionally, joining academic clubs and/or fraternities related to your field of study will perfect your application and curriculum vitae (CV), not to mention provide you with great experience.

2. Research university application requirements.

Now that you have begun improving your letters of recommendations and CV, you will need to research the application requirements for the universities in which you plan to attend. Every university will differ in terms of their requirements and deadlines. Contact the graduate office and discuss any special application processes or requirement they may have. Make note of any assessment scores or statements of purpose that you will need to submit to the university.

3. Contact the university, schedule a visit, and meet professors.

By contacting and visiting the universities where you are applying, you will familiarize yourself with the campus and your future peers. Be sure to talk to a few graduate students and find out what life is really like on campus. By visiting the campus, professors will be more familiar with you and thus more inclined to accept your application, especially when compared to applicants they have never met. When I was applying for a doctoral program, I was told the best way to "guarantee" acceptance into the program is to find a professor that you could work well with and who will advocate for your acceptance.

4. Submit the application and wait for the results.

Before you submit your application, be sure to get it reviewed and edited by your current professors and/or peers. The more feedback you receive, the better. Most universities have a winter application deadline for the following fall admission. Once you submit your application, be prepared to wait approximately six months for results.

Following these simple steps will not only help ease some of your stress, but it may just give you that extra edge over your competition.

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