How Sample Graduate School Essays Prepare You for Your Application in Graduate School
It is a fact that an excellent graduate school essay would boost your chances of getting accepted in your school of choice, whether it be an Ivy League school such as Harvard or any high-quality learning institution. The big question is: what exactly would a topnotch essay accomplish for you?
A strong essay would elevate your application from the multitudes of other candidates whose qualifications are about as solid as yours. In cases wherein the admissions officers are having a hard time choosing between two equally good applications, the better admission essay might be the “deadlock breaker.”
A very good essay should have a theme, also called a “thesis statement”. This would be the central topic to which the essay would revolve around. If the essay is compelling, original, and personal, this could only strengthen your chances of getting into your dream school. A good essay should not have the following bad parts: elements that make the essay an angry narrative, too many attempts to make the readers laugh, or simply an essay that goes in circles.
Other tips for a more effective admission essay
# Have the materials prepared. Get copies of resume, transcripts, the application form, sample graduate school essays, etc. Create a list of crucial data such as titles of jobs in the past, duties you did, and the names of former employers. Using sample essays is very helpful, especially if you don’t have any idea on how to start writing your own.
# Use “I” appropriately. It is good to be a little creative in writing one’s admission essay, but this is not a piece of creative writing or fiction. In creative writing, the use of first or second or third case all depends on the style or mood of the writer. In the admissions essay however, using the first person is crucial, because this would enliven your writing. A little warning though. Beginning all sentences with “I” is overkill.
# Do not be redundant. If you have included certain information in the other application documents (transcript, resume, etc.), then you need not repeat those information on the admission essay. Doing so would make your essay redundant.
# Be conscious of your essay’s length. How long should it be? If it is too short, the admissions board might think you didn’t put a lot of thought in it. If it’s too long, they might get tired of reading it. Admission essays must follow the given length range. However, if yours is a two-paged essay and you feel that cutting it shorter would be detrimental to your chances of getting accepted, then let it be.
A strong admission essay must have a solid thesis statement. To write a topnotch essay, the following are crucial things to consider: preparation involving the use of sample essays, properly using the first person, avoiding redundancy, and being conscious of the length. While not a 100% guarantee on getting accepted, an exceptional admission essay would most surely raise your chances of landing a spot at your preferred school.
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University of Virginia Graduate School (U.Va.)
The University of Virginia Graduate School is an educational institution where students are gifted with a view of the nearby Chesapeake Bay and Blueridge Mountains. The environment surely makes it easier for students to study and learn with much interest. U.Va. opened its doors to the first 25 students in March 1825 and has since been producing promising graduates from various programs. Offered in U.Va. are undergraduate courses as well as graduate programs including those under the arts and sciences, engineering, education, law and medicine. To learn more about offered programs, the school and the admissions, visit U.Va.’s official website.
Northeastern University Graduate Studies
The Northeastern University Graduate Studies prides of having a curriculum that enables students to receive education from renowned professors. Aside from instruction, students are able to gain exposure to the society and real-life scenarios while being required to interact with surrounding communities. While pursuing their undergraduate degrees in health sciences, engineering, the arts and professorial studies, students can use the university’s research facilities. Also, those who wish to pursue higher learning can apply to the university and take up courses under health sciences, criminal justice, engineering, business administration, etc. Read more about Northeastern University Graduate Studies and admission procedures in the official website.
Duke University Graduate School
The Duke University Graduate School is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the United States and often finds a place in graduate school rankings. Duke University offers a curriculum that combines instruction from leading professionals and educators with hands-on training. The said curriculum is applied mostly on undergraduate and medical programs, although, students can apply to Duke University and take up graduate programs in education, the sciences, the arts, allied health services and engineering. Find out more about the university and its courses by visiting the official website.
North Carolina Central University (NCCU)
The North Carolina Central University is one of the historically black academic institutions in the United States. The university was founded in 1910 for black students, although, it how accommodates more than 9,000 students from various cultural backgrounds. What makes NCCU one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the country is the fact that NCCU’s curriculum combines both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Social and cultural exposure and knowledge are promoted in NCCU through undergraduate social interaction programs. Students who wish to pursue further studies can apply to NCCU and take up counseling, biology or other offered courses. Check out the NCCU official website to learn more on programs and application details.
Cornell University
Cornell University was built upon a government land grant and has been producing graduates with specializations in various areas of learning since 1865. Within five years of its founding, Cornell University became one of the first institutions to open its doors to intelligent and brilliant women. Today, even students from differing cultural backgrounds attend classes in Cornell University. What makes it one of the exceptional schools in the country is its partnerships with various universities in the world, including those in China, Qatar and the Philippines. Interested applicants can apply for any undergraduate, graduate or doctorate program through Cornell’s official website.
Portland State University (PSU)
Students who wish to learn further and improve in their professions can stay at Oregon where the prestigious Portland State University is located. It is a public urban academic institution founded during the 1940s and is known for a curriculum that enables students to receive expert classroom instruction and facilitated hands-on training. Through the activities hosted by PSU, students are exposed to the society around them and learn to interact and develop social skills. Among the areas of learning students can specialize in in PSU are urban public affairs, the arts and sciences, and business administration. Visit the official website of PSU to submit an online application form.
Purdue University
Purdue University was founded in 1869 and was built on one of the 1800 land grants of the United States government. Through the hefty monetary and land donations of the first Purdue Bachelor of Science degree holder, John Purdue, the university was able to grow, offering not just undergraduate courses but also graduate and doctorate degrees in more than 70 programs. Among the fields of learning students can pursue in Purdue University are the life sciences, aviation, the arts, and business administration. Check out the official website of the university to learn more on offered programs and the admissions.
Ohio State University
Ohio State University is located in Ohio and is a conducive institution for healthy social and academic development. The weather and environment in Ohio enables students to concentrate fully on their classes. Many of the courses offered in Ohio State University are related to agriculture considering the state is an agricultural hub. Graduates of the university, through the excellent instruction and training they received, are able to cultivate agricultural resources in the area, further boosting Ohio’s economy. Other than agricultural courses, undergraduate, graduate and doctorate applicants can pursue studies in the arts, education, biology, allied health services, and many others. Visit Ohio State’s official website to find out more on offered courses and application procedures.
Johns Hopkins University Graduate School (JHU)
Another option where students can pursue advanced studies is the Johns Hopkins University Graduate School. It has been accommodating students since 1876 when JHU opened as the first research-centered university in the United States. Located in Baltimore, JHU offers undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs, particularly in engineering and other mechanical sciences that the university is famous for. If students wish to pursue studies outside engineering, however, students can enroll for a fine arts, public policy, or creative writing degrees. Check out the official website of JHU to learn more about the school, course offerings, and the admissions.
University of Maryland Graduate School
Those who wish to pursue advanced studies in the Old Line State can look to the University of Maryland Graduate School for a graduate or doctorate degree. The school has been open to students, particularly those in the collegiate level, since 1862 and provides quality education. Specializations offered in the University of Maryland Graduate School include engineering, journalism, languages, foreign studies and education. Students who also want to specialize in agriculture can enroll for the Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) Program. In addition, those who want to enroll for undergraduate degrees can proceed to the admissions office or visit the university’s official website to complete an online application.
Alabama State University
Advanced studies can be pursued at one of the historically black institutions established in 1867, the Alabama State University. It was founded by nine former slaves for black students, although the university is now open to anyone, regardless of his or her cultural background. Alabama State University is located near the state’s sprawling farmlands, enabling students to avoid city noise and other distractions. Offered in the university are college-level courses as well as graduate programs and degrees. Areas of specialization in Alabama State University include the sciences, the arts, engineering and business management. Check out the university’s official website to learn about application procedures.
University of Minnesota Graduate School
The Gopher State offers a venue conducive to healthy academic and social development through the University of Minnesota Graduate School. Since 1851, the university has been accepting students who wish to pursue higher learning. It currently has two campuses, one in the Twin Cities and another in Duluth and offers graduate programs in the areas of biosciences, water resource science and biomedical informatics, toxicology, and computational biology. In addition, the university is known for its contributions in the medical industry—the stem cell transplantation and the manufactured beating heart. Submit an application to the University of Minnesota through its official website.
Roger Williams University (RWU)
If you are looking for a graduate school that is in an inspiring and idyllic location, Roger Williams University is the institution to look. It is in Bristol, Rhode Island and is close to the most happening places in New York, Boston and Providence. Upon enrollment to RWU, you can choose to take up full or part-time course loads. You can also select any of the graduate degrees offered in RWU including Construction Management, Architecture, and Criminal Justice with a joint degree in Teaching, Law, Forensic Psychology, and Public Administration. Visit the school’s official website to learn more on the admission process and course offerings.
Seattle University
If you prefer to pursue a master’s degree at a Jesuit graduate school, enroll at Seattle University. Teaching students and fostering research make up the Jesuit foundation of instruction that is promoted at the university. Currently, 31 graduate degree programs are offered in the seven schools of Seattle U and many of such programs are in the School of Theology and Ministry and the College of Education. Apply to Seattle U for a full-time or part-time program by accomplishing an online application form at the school’s official website.
University of San Diego (USD)
If a Catholic university is to your liking, the University of San Diego is one of your choices. It is located in California, close to Mission Bay, and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Truly, USD is an institution where you can enjoy studying. Offered in USD are graduate degrees under the five schools of education as well as under the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business Administration, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Services, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, and the recent Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. On top of the graduate degrees, a post-graduate law degree is offered in USD. Find out more about the school by visiting its official website.
There are universities and colleges known to be the most competitive. Their acceptance rates rank among the lowest. You will need to be the best of the best to qualify. For these schools, you need to work extra hard on your admissions essays. Use sample graduate school essays to guide you. These sample graduate school essays can show you the ideal flow of ideas. At the same time, these sample graduate school essays can give you a glimpse of what the schools are looking for in their students. Add to this, you must have all documentations and requirements ready. When you get invited to interview, be at your best. Research about the school and the degree you are applying for. Do your best to impress your interviewers.
To give you ideas which of these schools are the most stringent in its acceptance rates, here’s a short list:
*** Education
Columbia University’s Teacher’s College is said to have the most competitive program. Their admissions rate in 2008 is a low 48%. They offer educators the opportunity to improve their craft and be able to lend their love for learning to their students.
*** Engineering and the natural sciences
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has the daunting acceptance rate of only 14% for degree courses in science and engineering. It even requires its students to have SAT math scores that are above 700.
*** Social science
Stanford has the most difficult acceptance phase for Psychology, with only an 11% acceptance rate. When it comes to the political science program, Harvard ranks top as the most competitive school to get into.
*** Humanities
For the different field in Humanities, the top ranking schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford. Yale excels in its history program; while Harvard has the most competitive English Studies program.
***Health
The University of Pennsylvania has the most competitive health studies program. It only has a 21% acceptance rate in the recent school year.
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Most colleges and universities require students to finish an internship in able to graduate. But aside from it being a mere graduation requirement, a college internship can also help you gain an edge when applying for grad school. This is because admissions committees of grad schools look for demonstrated skills and interest in the field or major that the student is applying for. Below are more reasons a college internship is beneficial to those planning to pursue graduate studies:
An internship proves your concrete interest in the field
Having a college internship shows that you’re passionate enough about the field of study because you sought out a way to apply the theoretical knowledge you’ve gained in college. Going that extra mile to apply and practice your knowledge on that specific academic discipline not only shows your genuine interest in it, but also that you’re goal-oriented and focused enough to pursue an internship in that field.
A completed internship shows determination and high level of responsibility
Aside from genuine interest and focus, having completed a college internship also shows that you know how to set priorities and stick to them. Anyone can easily quit halfway through an internship once the duties involved therein and work load at school become too hard to juggle. By successfully completing an internship, you send a message to admissions committees that you have the determination and time management skills to get through grad school and persevere to get that higher educational degree.
An internship doubles as a relevant work experience in your resume
A college internship also enhances your resume in that you’re automatically granted with a relevant work experience to include in your resume. Most grad school admissions committees favor applicants who have demonstrated the skills needed to survive in the cutthroat world of professional field practice. Having that internship as a work experience in your resume and grad school application shows that you’ve tackled real world situations and trials in applying the knowledge you gained in college.
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