How Hard Is It To Get Into Graduate School?

 

If you had ONE question about graduate school, what would it be?

I recently posted this question to social media and received the following submission:

“Is it really that hard to get into grad school? Should I be as worried as I am? I worried a lot for undergrad and it wasn’t even that big of a deal.”

Wouldn’t it be some kind of crazy to get all worked up – only to find out that you were making a big deal out of nothing? So, just how hard is it to get into grad school?

Competitive Is The Name of the Game

Let’s start examining this question by first understanding how graduate admissions works. Applying to graduate school programs requires competitive grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, essays, and potentially a series of interviews. Most people tend to fret about one aspect of their application package holding them back from receiving an acceptance letter. Instead, consider the fact that multiple decision-makers on the admissions committee are likely examining your materials as a whole. They are tasked with pulling together a well-rounded group of incoming students with aptitude for success in their program. Unless there’s unanimous agreement, there may be some debate about who passes onto the next round.

I always advise that getting in isn’t so much “hard” as it is competitive, but the degree of competitiveness varies by program. Consider that there are a certain number of seats available for each incoming class. Some programs are admitting dozens of students; others can be looking for a select 3 or 4 to join the program. Yes, this happens. But it totally depends on the field you are going into.

Years ago, I remember being stunned when someone advised me that it could be more “difficult” to get into Clinical Psychology grad programs than medical school. Why? Because of the popularity of the field (everyone wants to be a clinical psychologist!) and the relatively small average size of the incoming classes.

We’ve also all seen the annual rankings that make up headlines and marketing fodder for specific programs. Forbes or US News and World Reports. Here’s another general corollary to keep in mind: The higher the graduate program’s ranking, the more applicants you can expect to compete with. Some of the methodology behind the rankings can be quite, well, wonky, but this doesn’t stop readers from making blanket assessments that these programs are the best for everyone.

Each season, these programs get inundated with applications, even from students who may not be a very great fit. High number of applications = high number of rejections. After all, the number of available seats don’t change, regardless of incoming application volume. This translates into low acceptance rates, sometimes in the single digits.

Also, as the years go by, more people are opting to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree. The end result? More applicants than ever. Increasingly, graduate programs can choose to admit the “cream of the crop.”

This is not said to frighten anyone away or stoke fears of “never gonna get in,” but to present a realistic picture of the landscape of graduate admissions.

Competitive But Far From Impossible

When compared to undergraduate programs, most graduate program boast smaller incoming classes. However, this does not mean that getting in is an impossible feat. There’s no need to worry yourself sick. Instead, get proactive.

A wise man once said, “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Never has this statement been more true than when applying to graduate school. To answer the question, no, it’s not hard, but you’ve got to be in the tip-top shape to compete. More often than not, this requires some strategic thinking and planning long before you turn in your applications.

I cannot repeat this enough: Do your research and find your best fit. Plan to apply to many programs, but know WHY you’re applying there and not somewhere else. Following the rankings is not enough. What is it that this program offers specifically that makes it a good fit for you and your professional goals?

Everyone has the same basic elements that go into your application package. How do you make yours stand out amongst the crowd? How do you impart who you are and what you’re all about to those key decision-makers? What core experiences do you bring to the table that other applicants may lack?

It’s your job to bring these pieces to the forefront. In the case of very selective, extremely competitive programs, many times you’re not competing on the basis of GPA or test scores. Just about everyone’s got those in the bag. But what other experiences or elements set you apart…. in a way that screams “we need them in this program?”

Proper research and preparation wins every single time in cutting competition down to size.