The Basics Of Getting
Into US Graduate Schools
U.S. graduate schools have widely divergent requirements and policies for
admission. Nearly all require students to take the Graduate Record Examination,
or GRE, but they have different policies on how those GRE scores are weighted.
For example, students who are going into liberal arts programs can often do
poorly on the math portion of the GRE and still be admitted, because math isn’t
essential to their field of study. Math and science programs, meanwhile, will
focus on the students’ scores in that area and less on their GRE verbal
scores. (Still, if most applicants do well on the math and science portion,
the GRE verbal might be looked at as a “tie-breaker.”)
Another way graduate schools differ from one another is in how they apply
students’ GRE scores. Sometimes, a school will use the GRE as a factor
in deciding who is admitted into the program but not in deciding whom to award
scholarships or funding to. In other cases, GRE scores are referenced in deciding
on funding but not in admissions.
The one constant: You need to do well on the GRE, particularly in the part
of it that deals with your area of study. In order to do so, you might want
to consider prep materials to improve your score, and some of the best prep
materials on the market today are those available at www.audiolearn.net.
Their GRE vocabulary program will help you to be prepared to meet the test
head-on.
Most U.S. graduate schools are part of larger universities -- i.e., it’s
not necessary a different facility from the “regular” school.
Most universities offer graduate programs in several fields, and it’s
not uncommon for a student to go to grad school at the same university where
he or she was an undergrad.
A bachelor’s degree is required before going to graduate school. Many
schools also place a lot of emphasis on letters of recommendation, particularly
if they are from professors or professionals who can speak to your abilities
in your chosen field.
For science programs, it’s usually necessary to have done some previous
research before being admitted into grad school. You may also have to write
a personal statement indicating what areas you intend to work in and what research
you plan to accomplish as a grad student.
Graduate schools offer master’s and doctorate degrees, and there are
a lot of requirements for completing the program and earning your advanced
degree. As the professional world becomes more and more competitive, it becomes
more advisable for people to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s
degree. The fact that U.S. graduate schools are always full of eager, bright
students shows that the trend is catching on, and that furthering one’s
education is seen to be a wise investment in one’s future.
