Applying to Grad School

Applying to graduate school is an important academic and career decision that requires careful planning, self-reflection, and organization. Whether you are pursuing a master’s degree, PhD, or professional program, understanding the process early can make your application stronger and less stressful.

The first step is clarifying your goals. Ask yourself why you want to attend graduate school and how it fits into your long-term career plans. Research programs carefully by reviewing course offerings, faculty expertise, research opportunities, program outcomes, and admission requirements. Make sure the program aligns with your academic interests and professional ambitions, not just its reputation.

Next, prepare your application materials. Most graduate programs require academic transcripts, standardized test scores (if applicable), a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a résumé or CV. Your statement of purpose is especially important—it should clearly explain your academic background, research interests, career goals, and why you are a good fit for the program. Start this early and revise it multiple times.

Letters of recommendation should come from professors, supervisors, or mentors who know your academic abilities and work ethic well. Ask for recommendations early and provide your referees with sufficient time, clear deadlines, and relevant information about the programs you are applying to. Strong, personalized letters can significantly strengthen your application.

Finally, pay close attention to deadlines and application details. Create a timeline to track submission dates, test requirements, and document uploads. After submitting your applications, prepare for potential interviews by reviewing your research interests and academic experiences. Applying to graduate school is a demanding process, but with early preparation, thoughtful planning, and persistence, you can present a strong application that reflects your potential for advanced study and success.



Financial Support

Graduate students can obtain funding from several sources to finance their education. This might include, but not limited to:

  • Program funding: This funding is administered by the program / faculty that the student is admitted to. In some cases, some universities will only offer admission to students who have obtained this program/department funding.
  • Self funding: When a student does not receive external funding, they are required to pay for their graduate studies using their personal funds such as savings.
  • External funding: These include scholarships, loans, bursaries that are awarded by external organizations and can be used to finance students admitted into any eligible university. These may offer partial funding or full funding.
  • Project funding: These are similar to program funding but they are attached to a specific research project. The student will already have a predefined research project so these do not offer much flexibility. They are among the most common sources of student funding but students should be cautious to ensure the research objectives fall within their areas of interest.