Although finding a graduate program that is right for you can often be a stressful task, we hope to take some of that weight off your shoulders with these helpful tips and tricks that I got from asking my friends, coworkers, and mentors:
- Visit job boards, such as the Texas A&M Natural Resources Job Board, and search for graduate assistantships in a field of study that interests you. Graduate assistantships provide salary and/or tuition funds in exchange for teaching or research.
- Visit websites of programs that seem intriguing and email a faculty member who does research that is interesting to you. Each program usually has a graduate student coordinator, and you could also reach out to them in case they know of any faculty who are looking for students.
- Attend conferences related to your field of interest. You can learn a lot about graduate programs or meet potential advisors by attending conferences of professional societies. This may require you to introduce yourself to a new professional; here are some tips on how to make an effective elevator pitch.
- Become a member of a professional society. Professional societies will often post opportunities on their websites or social media and are a wonderful place to ask questions about a specific program.
- Email professors who conduct research that interests you! Although these emails can sometimes seem scary, their potential makes them well worth the challenge of writing them. In your email, be sure to include your name, major, university, and a quick summary of your research interests. You could also include a CV/resume that showcases your relevant experience.
- Talk to your Teaching Assistants (TAs). Your TAs are usually currently in graduate school and have the most up-to-date information on the process of applying. Don’t be afraid to ask about how they navigated their journey of finding a graduate program or how they found an advisor.
- Look at the requirements. The requirements for each graduate program are different. For example, some require the GRE, and some do not. Sometimes, a program’s requirements may be flexible, so do not hesitate to reach out to a program representative with any questions you may have. Additionally, see if the program is thesis or project-based so you can decide if the program is a good fit for you.
- Look at the associated coursework to ensure it includes the kind of classes you want to take. By doing this you can see if the program is a right fit for you and gauge what to expect if you enter this program.
- Do a zoom chat with the advisor you would be working with. If you have the chance, doing a zoom chat can be a helpful way to get a better sense of the personalities of the people you will be working with.
I started searching for graduate programs this year after gathering advice from friends and mentors. During my search for graduate programs, what I like doing first is looking at the page of admission requirements. One reason I do this is to see if the programs I’m interested in require the GRE. Since I didn’t want to take the GRE, knowing that all the programs I was interested in didn’t require the GRE gave me confidence in learning more about them. One website that was especially helpful during my graduate school search was the Berkeley Career Center page on how to find a graduate program. Not only did it help me ask questions I didn’t know were important (such as the location of the program), but it also provided me with other resources.
I know that was a lot to take in but the biggest piece of advice I can give is to breathe. Searching for graduate programs can be mentally exhausting so remember to take breaks, everything is going to be okay. You got this and Good Luck!
About the Authors
Aadil Rahman is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida pursuing a Bachelor of Science in zoology with a minor in sociology. In his career, Aadil hopes to combine his knowledge of zoology and sociology to advocate for environmental justice issues as well as to bridge the gap in science communication.