It’s never too early to consider pursuing graduate school after finishing your undergraduate education. Graduate school is often associated with higher earnings and can be necessary to gain access to upper-management jobs in certain fields. Graduate school also gives you the opportunity to dedicate time to studying specific topics not offered in sufficient depth at the undergraduate level or to set yourself up for a career change later in life.
Whether you are applying to graduate programs directly out of undergrad or are revisiting academia after a few years in the real world, these programs want evidence that you are ready for the next level. This evidence comes in the form of undergraduate grades, test scores (LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, or GRE, depending on the program), personal statements, letters of recommendation, related experience, and interviews. They want applicants who are passionate about their respective fields and have already taken advantage of every opportunity they’ve come across to advance both their knowledge and experience.
With that in mind, here are some key things to consider during and after your undergraduate education to prepare you for graduate school in the future:
Keep your grades in good shape
While it’s never advisable to slack off in college, it’s understandable that your grades might not be as polished as they were in high school for many reasons (adjusting to a new environment, more challenging classes, extracurricular activities, etc.). However, try to keep your grades up as much as you can so that you show a demonstrated aptitude for graduate-level courses (NOTE: Undergraduate GPA matters less for business school than for other programs, as it puts greater weight on professional experience, growth, and success). Additionally, while high scores on standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT might be able to make up for a lower GPA, it’s best to stay strong academically (especially in subjects related to the field you want to study in grad school).
Check that you have the prerequisites necessary for your field of study
For certain graduate programs or fields of studies, there might be prerequisites you need to fulfill or demonstrate at the time of application. For example, for business or international studies programs, you might have to show coursework in economics or a foreign language. Take a look at prerequisites at graduate programs you might be interested in early on so that you can try to knock them out in your undergrad classes. However, if you could not complete necessary requirements for the programs you’re interested in during undergrad, you can potentially make up courses through an online program or community college later on (check in with admissions officers about how you can fulfill requirements).
Beef up your resume
Applying to grad school is unlike applying to undergrad in that you don’t have to participate in a million activities to come off as a “well-rounded applicant.” While it certainly helps to have a variety of interests and experiences, a lot of grad school admissions panels are looking for applicants with a demonstrated interest in the subject area they want to pursue. This means participating in meaningful and relevant clubs, internships, programs, and jobs that can prepare you for the subject area you are studying. Opportunities like research experience with a professor, a competitive internship in your preferred field of study, or leadership in an on-campus organization related to your field are all great things to add to your resume. Particularly in professional schools, universities fear washouts—students who don’t really understand what they’re getting into and drop out, wasting a precious spot in a small, elite graduating class—and are inclined to admit applicants who have proven their commitment to the field. Someone who has volunteered in a hospital, for instance, is more likely to understand what a life in medicine entails than someone with zero real-world experience.
That said, admissions officers do understand that people have changes of heart and will consider excellent applicants who are green but determined. Your test scores and undergraduate GPA/class rank should be excellent, but your essays and interviews are your best opportunity to sell them on why you are changing direction to pursue this new path.
Establish good relationships with your professors and employers
Just like undergrad applications, you need strong letters of recommendation for your grad school application. Depending on your field and subject, you can get recommendations from academic and professional references, so still establish good relationships with your professors by attending office hours and seeking out projects or opportunities to help them out. Keep in touch with professors throughout and after college, and let them know what you’re up to. Same goes for your internship or job supervisors — stand out and leave an impression that can help them write a glowing letter of recommendation in the future.
Consider taking a break between undergrad and grad school
In a lot of cases, going straight from undergrad to grad school is not considered ideal. Many different types of grad programs encourage you to take a couple of years in between undergrad and grad school to gain “real-world experience.” You should consider working in a related field to your graduate subject field, or even look into a fellowship program (think Fulbright or Peace Corps) in between school.
While these pointers are meant to set you up for graduate school, considering all of these tips will help set you up for success on the path you want to explore in college and beyond. Follow the path that calls to you most and see the work pay off!
