Applying to Graduate School
Guide
Exploring Graduate School
Types of Graduate Degrees
Master’s Degree
Doctoral Degree
Post-graduate Certicate Program and Credentials
Other Options
Researching Graduate Schools
Researching Specialized Graduate Programs
SJSU Resources for Exploring Graduate School
Application Requirements
CV vs. Resume
Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation
Admissions Tests
Admissions Interviews
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Exploring Graduate School
Are you thinking about attending graduate school? This could be an important step in your career
development. One that requires time commitment, nancial costs, and advanced studies. Before you begin
researching graduate programs, take the time to identify your career goals and the reasons why you want
to attend graduate school. Make sure not to rush your decision but rather to make a well thought out and
informed one.
Here are a few good reasons for attending graduate school:
• You’re interested in a career that requires a graduate degree
• You’re seeking a promotion that requires an advanced degree
• You’re passionate about the subject and want to become a subject matter expert
• You’re looking to make a career change and a graduate degree is necessary
Make sure you’re not choosing to go to graduate school for the wrong reasons, such as:
• You can’t nd a job
• You’re feeling lost and unsure about your future
• You want to delay the repayment of your student loans
• You want to please your parents or someone else
• You want the prestige of an advanced degree
If you’re still feeling unsure as to whether graduate school might be right for you, schedule an appointment with
a career counselor on Spartan Connect.
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Types of Graduate Degrees
There are many dierent types of graduate degrees. Understanding the dierent types may help you
understand what path is right for you.
Master’s Degree
A master’s degree is typically a two-year program after receiving your bachelor’s degree to gain a
specialization in a specic area or eld. The most common types are Masters of Arts (M.A.) or Masters
in Science (M.S.), although there are many other acronyms (such as M.B.A. - Masters of Business
Administration) that may signify a master’s degree.
There are generally three dierent types of designs for the curriculum in a master’s program.
• Research: Usually for academic or applied research roles (e.g. Masters of Science in Chemistry (M.S.
in Chemistry))
• Professional: Prepares you with the skills and knowledge required to enter a specic profession (e.g.
Masters of Social Work (MSW), Masters of Business Administration (MBA))
• Terminal: Highest degree in a eld or preparation for PhD program (e.g. Masters in Library Science
(MILS))
Doctoral Degree
A doctoral degree can take up to 8+ years after receiving your bachelor’s degree to obtain. The number of
years will depend on how long you take to complete your coursework, research, and supporting documentation
(dissertation). Some doctoral degrees require that you complete a master’s rst or meet other prerequisite
requirements for admission, so make sure to do your research on your schools of interest.
There are generally two dierent types of designs for the curriculum in a doctoral program.
• Research: Provides training to develop original thinking in a specic eld. Typically for academic or
applied research roles, but can also translate to public or private sector leadership/executive roles.
• Professional: Provides advanced skills and knowledge in order to enter a specic profession (e.g,
Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree prepares you for a career in law, a Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree prepares
you for a career in medicine, etc.)
For more information, check out the Dierence Between a Masters and a Doctorate by Idealist.org and What
Does it Take to Earn a Master’s Degree by ThoughtCo.com.
Post-graduate Certicate Program and Credentials
Certications and credentials often oer specialized training in a eld that is less knowledge-intensive than a
full master’s program (e.g. Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPS), Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS).
Earning a certicate or certication often consists of 3 to 7 courses and provides much deeper knowledge than
an individual course. These typically take around one year or less to complete. Graduate degrees, on the other
hand, require a longer time and nancial commitment. For more information on deciding what is right for you,
see Graduate Degrees vs. Certicates: Which is Right for You by Petersons for more information.
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What’s the dierence between a credential, certicate, and graduate degree?
• Credentials require coursework and completion of an exam in order to be awarded. They typically
require continued education in order to renew or maintain the credential.
• Certications require an educational component and may also have an exam that must be passed for
the certicate to be awarded. Some certications must be renewed, while others are issued after proof
of a level of knowledge or skill is obtained.
• Graduate degrees typically cover broader topics and therefore require more courses and longer time to
complete than a certicate or credential.
• Graduate degrees are more likely to require admission tests and prerequisite courses.
• Some graduate degrees require applicants to complete a minimum number of years of work experience
as part of the admissions requirement.
For more information, check out the Dierence between Credentials and Certications by NEHA.
Other Options
Be aware that there are also a number of free and low-cost live and online courses available through
companies such as LinkedIn Learning that can be used to build skills in your eld of interest or can serve
as a way to continue life-long learning. As careers often change, you might nd that even after completing a
graduate degree, credential, or certicate you might have to continue to develop new skills in your eld.
Through LinkedIn Learning, SJSU students gain access to free online courses to learn marketable skills in any
eld from digital oce skills, software development, project management, data analytics, design, photography,
and many more. Log in with your SJSUOne ID and password to get started.
Other free or low-cost live and online course opportunities can be found on the Build Experience Guide.
Now that you understand the dierent options that are available after completing an undergraduate degree,
your next step is to complete additional research on the program that you are applying to and build your
application.
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Researching
Graduate Schools
Once you’ve decided you want to go to graduate
school, take the time to nd the right institution with
the program that best matches your interests and
career goals. Make sure to allow plenty of time before
you apply to review websites, gather information,
compare programs, and get any questions answered.
Articles such as this one by igrad.com provide lists
of considerations to help you choose the graduate
school that is right for you:
• Curriculum and class oerings
• Faculty specializations
• Program costs
• Average completion time and rate
• Ranking
• Campus resources for graduate students and
more!
Graduate program admissions websites, as well as
resources such as Petersons.com, are great places to
nd information in order to compare and contrast the
unique oerings of each school.
Additional questions to get answered while
comparing colleges:
• Are there preferred majors or prerequisite
classes?
• What is the class format? (online, in-person, or
blended)
• What opportunities are available for research
or eldwork?
• Where are graduates being employed?
Researching Specialized Graduate Programs
Once you have narrowed your eld of study, start
researching institutions by reviewing the website of
your industry professional association. Professional
associations, such as the ones listed below, typically
have a webpage dedicated to prospective students
with information about the industry, careers, and tips
on selecting an accredited graduate program.
Resources for graduate programs in specialized
elds:
• Association of American Medical Colleges
• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
• Association of American Veterinary Medical
Colleges
• American Dental Association
• Law School Admissions Council
SJSU Resources for Exploring Graduate School
There are a number of campus resources available
to SJSU undergraduate students exploring graduate
programs including:
• Graduate career advising at the SJSU Career
Center
• Science Pre-Professional Academic Advising:
For students considering graduate programs in
the sciences including pre-dental, pre-medical,
pre-optometry, pre-veterinary, etc.
• Graduate School Information Sessions/
Workshops: Provide helpful information
about graduate programs and how to prepare
application materials.
• McNair Scholars Program: A TRiO program
that helps rst-generation and low-income or
underrepresented undergraduate students
apply to doctoral programs and assists them
with doing a research project.
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Application Requirements
After you’ve identied the graduate programs you’re interested in you want to be clear on what application
materials you need to submit. It can typically take several months to complete and gather all necessary
documents. Also, it’s important to be aware that some programs may require prerequisite courses and/or
relevant work experience to be completed prior to applying. Make sure to carefully review the steps to apply, as
they can be dierent for each program.
Some of the most common application materials that are required for graduate school are:
• CV or resume
• Personal statement or statement of purpose
• Letters of recommendation
• Tests (if applicable)
• Admissions interview (if applicable)
Below we will discuss each of these application requirements further.
CV vs. Resume
Depending on the graduate program you apply to, they might request either a CV or a resume. Typically a CV
is used for applying to graduate research programs, Ph.D programs, careers in academia, or medical school.
You’ll nd that most other programs prefer a resume. However, please make sure you review the application
requirements to determine which document to submit.
What is the dierence between a CV and a resume?
A curriculum vitae, or CV, is a detailed record of your education, employment history, research experience,
certications, publications, professional aliations, etc. It is often two or more pages long.
A resume is a concise document, usually no longer than two pages. It highlights your education, experience,
skills, projects, and accomplishments and should be customized.
See examples on the following pages.
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CV Example:
SAMMY S. SPARTAN
San Jose, CA 95008
(888) 888-8888
EDUCATION:
San Jose State University, San Jose CA
Bachelor of Arts Political Science, 3.85 GPA Spring 2017
Global Politics Concentration, Minor in Economics
Study Abroad, Barcelona, Spain Summer 2016
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
Senior Project: Implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, SJSU, Spring 2017
• Conducted a comparative case study analysis of the public policy implementation in Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana as a
response to the 2015 Millennium Development Goals
• Compiled and synthesized research into a 25-page research paper and presented research in a campus-wide poster
presentation to over 40 faculty members and political science students
Nuclear Disarmament in the Post-Cold War Era, SJSU, Fall 2015
• Researched the history and progress of nuclear disarmament and compiled over 30 primary sources into a 15-page
research paper
• Created a PowerPoint presentation and presented research ndings to a class of 30 students
Research Assistant, Professor X, SJSU, Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
• Developed a 20-page Literature Review Guide for Professor X’s Senior Project students
• Assisted in Literature Review research for Dr. X’s publications on World Food Politics
Research Assistant, Professor Y, SJSU, Fall 2015 - Spring 2016
• Conducted database research on comparative factors that inuence democracy amongst nations
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant (Intro to International Relations), SJSU, Spring 2015
• Assisted professor in leading discussions and in classroom management, creating an inclusive and productive
learning environment for students
• Graded over 50 midterms and nal exams and provided constructive feedback to students to help them learn and
improve in the course
• Held oce hours for 2 hours weekly to answer student questions and provide guidance on assignments and
developing research topics
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
Intern California Senate Caucus, Communications Department, Summer 2014
• Wrote press briengs and articles for the Caucus website on recent events and policy achievements
• Conducted research for California State Senators to inform their policy decisions
• Monitored social media accounts and made weekly posts to increase user base
• Collaborated with campaign team to do precinct walks and make phone calls to potential voters
Model United Nations, September 2014 - May 2015
• Served as the Kuwaiti delegate for the OPEC Oil Crisis Historical Committee at the 2015 UC Berkeley Model United
Nations Conference
• Sponsored the passing resolution on cholera containment as the Venezuelan representative in the World Health
Organization at the 2014 UC Berkeley Model United Nations Conference
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Resident Advisor, San Jose State University Housing 2014-2015
• Developed a community of over 70 residents, serving as a role model and student leader in charge of student
education, safety and well-being, resource referral, and social justice engagement
• Planned and facilitated weekly programming activities to increase student engagement and enhance the student
experience
WORK EXPERIENCE
Waitress, Cheesecake Factory, San Jose, CA, 2016-2017
Barista, Starbucks Coee, San Jose CA, 2013-2014
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
House Building in Tijuana, Mexico, Summer 2015
• Travelled with a group of 40 church members to assemble over 5 houses for low-income families
Food Pantry, SJSU, San Jose, CA, 2014-2016
• Volunteered bi-monthly to organize food donations and serve meals to the homeless
AFFILIATIONS
Member, American Political Science Association 2016-2017
Member, Pi Sigma Alpha, San Jose State University 2015-2017
Member, AIESEC, San Jose State University 2016-2017
CONFERENCES
Social Justice Conference, San Jose State University Spring 2016
Women in Leadership Conference, San Jose, CA Fall 2016
TRAININGS
Introduction to Stata, San Jose State University Fall 2015
Social Inclusion and Diversity Training, San Jose State University Fall 2014
Sexual Assault Advocate Training, San Jose State University Fall 2014
HONORS and AWARDS:
Outstanding Senior Award for San Jose State Political Science Department Spring 2017
RA of the year Spring 2015
XYZ Scholarship 2014-2015
SKILLS
Computer: Stata, SPSS, Microsoft Oce, Google Drive, Wordpress, Adobe Illustrator
Language: Fluent in English, Intermediate speaking and writing ability in Spanish
RESEARCH INTERESTS
International Security/ Terrorism
International Development
Regions: Middle East/North Africa and Eastern Europe
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Resume Example:
Im A. Spartan
San Jose, CA 95192 | (408) 555-5555 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/imaspartan
OBJECTIVE: Innovative and passionate business professional with 4 years of business management
experience, training, and development skills. Experience working for mid and large sized corporations, looking
to gain the necessary education and training at ABC University to further my expertise as a manager.
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration, GPA: 3.9/4.0 May 20xx
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Bachelor of Science, Advertising, GPA: 3.6/4.0 20xx
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Marketing Manager, Spike Software Inc., Palo Alto, CA 11/20xx-present
• Manage strategic marketing programs that support third-party partners, including VARS, solution
• providers, software developers, and trainers.
• Supervise sta of 25; department received award for eciency and ingenuity.
• Collaborate with product sales managers to identify key partners needing focused support.
• Oversee and maintain product website to provide a core communication site to promote partner
program and key partners.
Product Marketing Manager, Spike Software Inc., Palo Alto, CA 12/20xx-11/20xx
• Managed $15 million budget and direct mail lead generation program resulting in a ve percent
• response rate.
• Developed innovative sales techniques to promote company products at tradeshows through direct
mail campaigns and corporate sales.
• Implemented vertical marketing program to support the sales cycle in key markets.
Associate Product Manager, Spike Software Inc., Palo Alto, CA 6/20xx-12/20xx
• Performed the product release management function for tracking international launches.
• Collaborated and interfaced with manufacturing, marketing, engineering, and sales to
• track product releases.
• Managed BOM and SKU listing to ensure accuracy, reducing count by 40 percent.
Product Coordinator, Spike Software Inc., Palo Alto, CA 12/20xx-6/20x
• Supported a 20-person marketing group by organizing meetings and coordinating projects.
• Assured team members produced deliverables on time.
• Compiled weekly progress reports for product manager.
Marketing Specialist Contractor, XYZ Communications, Inc., San Jose, CA 4/20xx-12/20xx
• Managed ve marketing projects related to sales tool development to support product launches, eld
sales eorts, and to educate customer base.
• Increased clients’ sales by an average of 30%.
SKILLS
Technical: Microsoft Oce Suite, Google Suite, Tableau
Languages: Bilingual, Spanish and English
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Personal Statement vs. Statement of Purpose
Aside from GPA and possibly an entrance exam, the personal statement or statement of purpose is a crucial
element of the application. This is the only place where a candidate can explain their reasons for pursuing
graduate studies and showcase who they are as a person to the admissions committee. It’s important to write
a personal statement or statement of purpose that reects you in the most authentic way.
Although the purpose of both essays is to provide information about you to the admission’s committee, there
are a few dierences between the two.
Personal Statement Statement of Purpose
• Broader statement that allows the committee to
get to know you by learning about your past
• Concise statement that allows the committee to
get to know you by learning about your future
• Showcases your personality • Showcases you as a suitable candidate for the
school and program
• Shares your personal background and life
experience
• Shares your academic or professional
achievements and abilities
• Illuminates your personal challenges and goals • Illuminates your career goals
• Explains what your reasons to pursue graduate
studies are
• Explains how graduate studies will help you meet
your future goals
Make sure to thoroughly read the prompt provided by your school and answer all items requested in your
response. Below are a few do’s and don’ts for personal statements & statements of purpose that will help
guide you during this process.
Do: Avoid:
• Demonstrate your interest in the program by
sharing personal experiences and providing
specic examples.
• Using gimmicks, such as overpraising the school
or using too much jargon (acronyms)
• Show you have the commitment and motivation to
successfully complete the program.
• Generic introductory sentences, such as “I have
always wanted to be a doctor” or “My only goals
in life is...”
• Demonstrate that you are a well-rounded person. • Discussing controversial or sensitive topics such
as religion or politics
• Research the specic program you are applying
to and understand the qualities that make this
program unique and helpful to your career goals.
• Repeating accomplishment statements word-for-
word from your resume
• Be condent and write about positive
accomplishments.
• Overexaggerating your qualications for the
program
For additional help with your personal statement or statement of purpose, please see:
• Statementofpurpose.com
• EssayEdge.com
• Accepted.com
• “How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School”- Richard J. Stelzer,
1997 (PDF)
• Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Grad School - GoGrad
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Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are an important part of your graduate school application. They can serve as a
testimonial of your work experience, motivation, and potential. Most schools require that you submit anywhere
between two to four letters of recommendation.
Who to Request Letters of Recommendation from?
You want to request letters of recommendation from people who are familiar with your work ethic and with
whom you’ve established a positive relationship with. Typically people you’d want to request a recommendation
from are: professors, employers, advisors, or mentors. You want to choose individuals that know you well and
who are able to write a strong letter that provides an evaluation of your academic/work performance, as well as
your ability to succeed. Make sure to review your schools requirements, as some schools might specify which
contacts you must submit a recommendation from.
Build Relationships Early
It’s important that you begin building relationships with professors, employers, and advisors early on. Get to
know your professors by attending their oce hours, participate and ask questions during class, seek their
guidance about your career path, or collaborate with them to do independent research. Set regular monthly
check-ins with supervisors and advisors so that that they are up to date with your goals and accomplishments.
Requesting Letters of Recommendation
Below are some guidelines and tips to keep in mind when requesting letters of recommendation:
• Select a date you would like all letters to be completed and be clear on communicating the due date.
It’s helpful to give them a date before the actual deadline.
• Contact the people you would like to ask for letters of recommendation at least 1-2 months prior to your
deadline to see if they’re comfortable completing this task.
• Make sure to ask an extra person, in case one of the individuals you selected is not able to meet the
deadline.
• Provide your letter writers with an overview of your experience and interest in the graduate program by
providing a copy of your resume or CV, personal statement or statement of purpose, and a list of your
career goals.
• Provide clear instructions on how to submit the letter of recommendation. If the writer needs to mail the
letter directly to the school, make sure to provide them with a stamped and addressed envelope.
• Send a reminder 1-2 weeks from the selected date to those who have yet to submit.
• Write a thank you letter or email to all the individuals who completed a recommendation for you.
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Admissions Tests
Some graduate schools require applicants complete
an admissions test as a part of the application process
because it can be a good predictor of future success
in graduate school. However, it is very important to
check the admissions page of each school you are
considering as the admission exams and other pre-
requisites can vary.
Common admissions exams include:
• Graduate Records Exam (GRE): used by many
social sciences graduate programs.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT):
for people looking to earn an MBA or other
business-related graduate degree.
• Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)
• Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
• Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)
• Dental Admissions Test (DAT)
Exam Preparation Resources
Preparation for a graduate admissions exam can be
very time-intensive.
1. Visit the admissions pages of your top schools
to determine which test is required and the
average scores earned by admitted students.
2. Familiarize yourself with the testing schedule,
content, and possible retake policies.
Before you dive in and start studying every subject
covered on the admissions test, it is best to seek out
and take a practice exam.
• Free placement exams can often be found
online or through the library. A practice test
will allow you to identify areas of strength and
weaknesses so that you can determine how
much time you need to prepare and which
subjects will require extra attention in order to
earn the best possible score.
• Test preparation resources are available in
many formats and price points. Whether or
not you choose to use exam preparation
books, in-person courses, or self-directed
online materials, such as ashcards and
apps, depends on your budget, motivation,
time availability, and learning style.
Exam Preparation Timeline
How much time you should spend studying depends
on many factors including:
• Your original practice test score
• Your target score
• How much improvement you hope to make
Admissions Interviews
Not all graduate programs require applicants to
complete an admissions interview. However, it is
valuable to know what to expect in case an interview
is part of your application process.
There are a number of great online resources to
utilize including Preparing for the Graduate Schools
Interview by Idealist.
The following questions sum up the common themes
that come up during admissions interviews:
• Why are you interested in this school vs
others?
• What interests and experiences do you have
that will make you a great addition to our
school?
• What are your short and long term goals in
the eld?
For more information on common admissions
interview questions and tips on how to best answer
them, check out the Top 10 Graduate School
Interview Questions from GradSchools.com.
