Considering attending graduate or professional school?

Considerations, Strategies, Forms and Tips

Stephen J. Conroy, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Economics

University of San Diego

Last Updated: October 4, 2005

I. Choosing the schools and programs

From my perspective, there are really two important questions you need to ask before applying to any graduate program.

1. First, what is happening to the most recent graduates of the program? Are they finding jobs? Are they working in areas that you are interested in--i.e., is the program a good fit for you? Did they come to the program with other qualifications (e.g., previous NGO experience) that they are leveraging into good opportunities . . . or is completion of the program itself a sufficient condition for hire? The best thing I did before attending grad school was to talk with several current students (in addition to faculty) to see what their perspective was. They have less of a vested interest to "sell" the program.

2. Second, how well-respected is the program among other similar ones? As I learned on the job market, in academia, "pedigree is everything." If you have a choice between a top-ten program a top-thirty, I would shoot for the top-ten program. This question is less important for professional programs (as opposed to academic ones) such as medicine, pharmacy, accounting, law, etc. where a professional examination is required before entering the field. It is a good idea to go to the library and ask the reference librarian for relevant information on program rankings.

Obviously, the second question relates to the first one.

II. Application strategies

When you apply to graduate or professional school, a good strategy is to hedge your bets. An “all your eggs in one basket” strategy is very risky! (What happens if you trip and fall???) Based on your answers to questions in the prior section, you will be able to get a sense for how difficult it is to get accepted at different programs. I recommend grouping the schools into three basic categories:

A. Schools that are the very best (i.e., ranked in the top-10). (These are the Harvards, Berkeleys, etc.)

B. Schools that are respectable, but not the top ones (e.g., top-30 programs)

C. Schools that are almost a sure thing (e.g., not ranked, local schools, etc.)

When you apply, make sure you apply to at least one school from each category. Even if you have a very small shot at a top-ten school, it is often a very good learning opportunity to apply to these schools and maybe they are looking for someone with just your credentials!

III. Letters of recommendation

Who???

Some things to consider when considering asking for a letter of recommendation are:

(a) How well does this professor know me? (Generally speaking, the more classes you have taken from this professor and the longer you have known them the better)

(b) Could this professor write a good letter for me? (Did you “shine” in his/her class? Work through difficulties and end up a “success story”?)

(c) Is this professor reliable in terms of getting the letter written in time? (One of my nightmare stories involves a professor who was too absent-minded to complete my request for a letter of recommendation until the very last minute!)

(d) How well-respected is this professor in the field? (Have they published recently in this area?)

(e) What is this professor’s status at this university? (Generally speaking . . .

High-Level Administrator > Full Professor > Associate Professor > Assistant Professor > Lecturer/Adjunct/Visiting)

How???

First, give the professor plenty of time to prepare!!! Approaching the professor early in the semester for something due at the end of the semester is a good strategy—even if it is only to inquire whether they would be willing and able to write “a letter” for you.