Navigating Grad School Applications: A Series
Studying abroad for your master’s is a popular dream for many international students to experience life, culture, work opportunities, and people, and make loads of memories. However starting this journey can make one feel anxious and skeptical, and sometimes I wish I knew better while starting my university applications. For context: I just applied to universities in the UK, so this is not a guide for universities in the USA, Canada, Europe or other countries. This is by no means an advertisement or a ideal roadmap to follow, it is just my experience and how every step should be followed in my opinion. Therefore, I will try to sum it up and make it easier to understand:
1. Targeting your destination of choice
Firstly, list down the countries in which you want to study and where the post-study work opportunities for your discipline are in demand (given the fact you want to stay after your graduation and work there for a while). For me, since I wanted to study finance, the best destination was the UK as I was aware there would be abundant employment opportunities after graduation.
2. Checking the universities and academic requirements for the selected courses
It’s important to note that universities choose applicants that comprehensively fit into their programs. Your application won’t depend on one single metric. Do your research on what types of academic profiles people have by going to those universities, and then choose the universities where you feel you can truly belong.
Universities in the UK require your test scores in the form of the GRE, GMAT, and the IELTS to name a few, college transcripts, your GPA in college, letters of recommendation, SOPs, work experience letters, and so on. It’s important to remember that the test scores (like the GRE) are a part of your application and not your entire application. During my application process, a big mistake that I made was to focus all my energy and time on giving the GRE because I thought only the GRE score would get me accepted, when it was never the case.
Check the academic requirements carefully, a lot of universities also waive the GRE/GMAT scores owing to the pandemic, making it easier to proceed. After shortlisting what schools you’re eligible in according to the selection criteria, begin your preparation for the test scores and give 1.5–2 months to the preparation. The IELTS exam takes roughly two-three weeks, so prepare accordingly and give the exam as soon as you can. Lastly, book your GRE/GMAT dates as soon as possible so that you can study and prepare within a definite timeline.
3. Working on your SOPs, LORs, Work Experience letters and your Resume
For me, I never had a proper job after my graduation, I straight away started to apply for my master’s, therefore I did not have any work experience. However, I did two-three internships and my employers were kind enough to grant me LORs and experience letters. So if you don’t have a full-time job or have no experience, fret not! Your internships can help add major value to your application, use them to the best of your advantage.
Next, write a format for your LOR and reach out to your professors in college for the LORs, they will surely help you out. Two of my professors were kind enough to grant me my LORs, and in my opinion, two academic LORs are enough to suffice for your application.
After this comes the part of writing the SOP: Statement of Purpose. Writing the SOP does take time, so my suggestion would be to give it 3–4 weeks and get it proofread by a mentor (if you have one) as much as you can. I personally feel this is the most important part of the entire application, so research, edit, make sure it is your own story and no one else’s and the person reading it gets the idea that you are the best candidate for the course.
For your resume, these bullet points may help:
- Don’t use fancy, colourful layouts, stick to a basic colour like black or blue
- Make bullet points within your work experience sections and shorten the tasks down to one sentence each (so that it’s easier to read)
- Try to quantify your work experiences and extracurriculars/leadership positions
- Highlight your college projects and research papers briefly (ideally within 3–4 lines)
4. Awaiting the admits and making ‘the’ decision
‘First cum first serve!’
This phrase was the most frequent phrase I had heard during the application process and for all the right reasons. The earlier you apply, the earlier your chances are of getting an admit (However most universities keep their admissions open till May-June but it’s better to be on the safer side). Most universities start their first round of applications in September-October, then the second round in December-January, and then the last round in March. The waiting period is the worst for every applicant, not knowing what is there in store but if you have truly put forward your best foot and applied to places you are confident enough to make it in, the results will follow.
Making the decision where you finally want to go after you have received all the admits should ideally depend upon the ranking (refer to QS World University rankings and Times Higher Education), cost of living, location, post-grad opportunities and the type of cohort whose profiles are similar to yours. Take all of these factors into consideration, and discuss them till you finally arrive at the decision where you know which university will be the best for you and your future.
For context, I received the following three admits:
- MSc Finance, Queen Mary University of London
- MSc in Management and Finance, University of Sussex (also received a £3000 scholarship)
- MSc in Investment and Finance, University of Strathclyde Business School
I finally decided of going to QMUL and studying in London after taking all possible factors in mind. And I can definitely say, I didn’t make the wrong decision and am loving every bit of my time here at the university!
The entire application process was a rigorous process of 1.5 years, including the visa process and also taking the fact into account that I freshly graduated in June 2021 and did not have anything else to look forward to after that. The process, though as exhausting and breaking as it is, also helps you be a better individual by the end since you figure out you will be in a place where you truly belong and would not have to question your worth or merit.
Phew, that was long! I hope the entire article helps you in your grad school applications to the UK.
Best of luck! :)
