APPLICATION MATERIAL What Chould You Include?


By Tim Rogers - former head of student recruitment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)


Most grad schools require similar material as part of the formal application process for a Masters program; requirements for a PhD tend to vary slightly depending on the institution and the academic subject area applied for. However, the following will usually be required:


• Application form:


A generic form either offered in traditional paper format or, increasingly, online. Information required for completion generally reflects a CV or résumé and includes personal details, your academic record, the name of your chosen program, the results of any tests you are required to take and the names of your referees. Bear in mind that any errors, exaggerations and inaccuracies in the application form will count against you.


• Transcripts:


Depending on the preference of the institution, you should include originals or certified copies of transcripts (or lists of grades and results) from all post-secondary education courses you have studied. Grad schools often allow you to submit copies to speed up the application process but require you to show the originals at the time of registration.


• Statement of purpose or personal statement:


Depending on the institution


you apply to, you will be required to submit a piece of writing that reflects your reasons for wanting to study your chosen graduate program. These tend to be critical to the application and must include a blend of your personal and professional experience relevant to your chosen program, and an indication of how you hope to benefit from the program of study. Honesty, clarity and coherence are the watchwords


here – think of your statement of purpose as an interview on paper and prepare accordingly.


• References or supporting letters:


All grad school applications require a minimum of two and sometimes three letters of support from referees. These references tend to be extremely important in all cases and particularly for the


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86