TRIO Graduate & Professional Preparation

• Outlining your needs and goals
• Considering what type of program (Master’s or PhD) best fits you
• Understanding how funding works for graduate programs, as well as what you can afford
• Evaluating the institution and program for reputation, opportunity and fit
• Assessing the program’s location and cost of living
• Understanding requirements for admission

Researching programs will ensure that you:

• Have time to request relevant recommendations and tailor application materials.
• Have the opportunity to engage with coursework that is relevant to your career trajectory.
• Will be able to build a professional network in your field of interest.
• Complete projects that represent your mission, goals and professional brand.
• Are supported as a student and professional throughout your time in the program.

• Start by listing a few potential programs.
• Draft a personal statement that identifies why you want to attend graduate school, as well as your educational goals.
• Set up informational interviews with graduate student(s) at WashU to identify search strategies that have worked well in the past.
• Identify several programs that you might be interested in completing. These should be school specific so that you can begin to compare requirements for various programs.
• Set up interviews with faculty, alumni and current students at each program.

• What type of curriculum does the program require? (number of credit hours, required internships or practicums, research, thesis, etc.)
• How do most students pay for their master’s or professional programs? 
• Are there fellowships or assistantships available to all accepted students? 
• Does financial aid cover the cost of living?
• Do faculty members have professional experience outside of academia?
  • Are they recognized within their own professional fields?
• Do you feel as though you are supported socially, emotionally and academically on campus?
  • In what ways? 
  • Can you identify faculty or staff that you feel comfortable reaching out to?

One of the most important components of your graduate and professional school applications is recommendations. Simply finding professors that will write a general letter on your behalf is not enough: you should seek to connect with professionals that know you well and will individualize their message. To do so, you’ll need to build relationships with mentors, advisers and professors as soon as you decide what graduate program you are interested in. The Center for Career Engagement (CCE) provides a guide to understand what types of individuals you should ask depending on the type of program.

It can be intimidating to speak one-on-one with advisers or professors, and this sometimes prevents students from successfully preparing for graduate school. The important thing to remember, though, is that professors are there to help you succeed and can be great resources for building your academic and professional brands. Consider doing some of the following:

• Set up informational interviews with advisers and check in regularly to maintain rapport.
• Identify professors that have similar career paths and enroll in their upper division courses.
• Visit those professors during office hours to discuss their research and community work, not just course content.
• Consider asking about opportunities for research or independent study.
• Share articles, research or policy of interest via email to keep conversation flowing.
• Be conscientious about how often you reach out. Balance regular communication with respect for the professor’s time.

Recommenders, whether they are faculty, staff or community professionals, should:

• Have known you for at least one year
• Be able to identify how your strengths will help you succeed in a graduate program
• Be able to abide by deadlines (like those required by graduate applications!)
• Be recognized for work accomplished in their field
• Have a connection to your career or degree path(s) of interest

Set up a meeting or attend office hours to request the professor’s or adviser’s help. Make sure to take relevant forms and your statement of purpose, resume and writing samples with you to the meeting.

• Send the recommender an initial thank-you letter: written is best!
• Include a summary of the programs you’re applying for and what skills you’d like to highlight
• Give a description of the recommendation process for each program
  • Include deadlines that are a week or two earlier than required, just in case.
• Ask whether they would like reminder emails throughout the process