Alvernia College - Career Services

Guide to Graduate & Professional School

Application Expectations

Apply to a variety of schools. Try to select schools that cover a span of potential admissions including: (1) a first choice or ideal school where your chances of admission may be uncertain, (2) a safe school which may be less preferable but surer in terms of admission, (3) two or three in between. Avoid the mistake of applying only to one or two schools – you might find yourself on a limb if predictions about admission fail. Be aware that the expense of the applications and transcripts can be a limiting factor in the number of schools to which you apply, though some schools waive admissions fees in special cases.

General Admissions Requirements: those common to most institutions programs

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education
Some minimum grade point average in the last two years of undergraduate study. (Minimum generally ranges from 2.75 to 3.0)
Some preparation in the proposed field of study
Note: Specific schools or programs may have additional and/or different requirements. Check the catalog.

Additional Requirements

Admission Tests - see the section on graduate school testing.
Undergraduate Transcripts
- Admissions committees require official transcripts of your grades in order to evaluate your academic preparation for graduate study. Grade point averages are important but are not examined in isolation; the rigor of the courses you have taken, your coarse load, and the reputation of the undergraduate institution you have attended are also scrutinized. To have your college transcript sent to graduate institutions, contact your college registrar.
  
  Stop in the Registrar’s Office to complete a form requesting your transcripts. You may also write to the Registrar’s Office and request transcripts.
Letters of Recommendation
- Most graduate schools require two or three letters of recommendation. Request letters early in the fall semester of your senior year from people who know you personally and are familiar with your academic preparation. These letters will be more helpful to the individuals reviewing your credentials if they include:
  - The reference’s current professional status and relationship to you.
  - Comparative information as to where you rank with others students, employees, etc.
- Those individuals from whom you might request letters include:
  a) Course advisors.
  b) Professors with whom you’ve done independent study or worked with on special projects.
  c) Professors from whom you’ve taken several courses—especially courses in your major.
  d) Employers.
  e) Most medical and dental schools will require a recommendation from the pre-med/dental committee of applicant’s undergraduate institution.
  f) A letter of recommendation from a professor who has ties with the particular school could be helpful.
Interview (required by some schools)
- Treat it like a job interview. (It may mean a job especially if the program is looking to fill assistantship positions.)
- Be yourself.
- It is possible that you will be interviewed with other applicants in a group situation.
- Send a thank you letter to the person or persons that you spoke to within forty eight hours after the interview

Special Admission Requirements

Some schools or programs may require a work sample such as an art work portfolio, music performance tape or a sample research paper.