13 Tips for Applying to Graduate School

I'm going to be honest, applying to grad school is super stressful. It is meant to be. Last spring while I was finishing up my senior thesis and trying my darnedest to write 35 other papers, I was researching Liberal Arts and Liberal Studies grad programs. It was a very overwhelming experience. I was sure that, not only that I was not going to get into the program I wanted, I wasn't going to get into any of them. I searched the internet for tips and advice, but was sorely disappointed in what I found. Now that I've had time to look back and reflect, here is what I wish I had known. I hope these are helpful. Feel free to add any advice in the comments. 

1. Be Honest. Do not write an essay about what you think the admissions committee (or person) wants to hear. Speak your truth.  You are applying to the program because you want to be part of it and learn. Why? What are your qualities? What do you and your experience have to offer? What do you wan to learn? 
2. Ask for Help! It is okay to seek out others for help. If you are still an undergrad, talk to your academic advisor. Ask if they are willing to read your essay and go over other application materials. Ask your favorite prof or a co-worker. Fresh eyes are important in clarifying your message. You may know what you are trying to say, so make sure others do too. If you have questions about the programs you are looking at, email them. Do not be afraid, you may be the person to point out a missing inoformation on their website. 
3. Write out detailed "To Do" lists. Many schools have their own "To do" lists for the application process. They often did not match my organizational mindset. In fact, they were down right confusing sometimes. Write out your own, making sure, of course, that everything the school wants is covered. Be in control of your list. Make sure to have a different list for each school. 
4. Create a schedule. Do not work on the application everyday. Make a schedule with breaks and time tables. Do not overwhelm yourself with daily grad school stuff. 
5. Ask for Letters of Recommendation early. Professors have lives too. Ask early and follow up. Do not badger them, just a simple reminder. And thank your professors afterwards, not just a thank you, but a thank you letter. 
6. Don't Panic. Write out a mind-map of who you are and what your academic and career goals are. This way you can visually see how you are connecting who you are with what you want to do.
7. Think about your graduate experience holistically. Do not just think about the program and school while picking up the programs you are going to be applying for. Think about the weather, the city (or rural area), think about how far you want to be from your friends and family. Remember, you'll have a life outside of school, plan for it. 
8. Apply to a school you really want to go to, but doubt you can get in. For me, this was DePaul. I regret not applying, I was sure I wouldn't get it and I didn't because I didn't apply. 
9. Seek out fee waivers if you have limited funds. Most school have waivers. And start looking for fellowships! 
10. Research and know the programs you are applying to. Research faculty members, find papers they have written. Make sure you will fit.
11. Pick 4 schools to apply to and then 3 more as back ups. Apply to the first 4 and wait. If you do not get into any of those, send out your next round of applications.
12. Do not write one general essay for all of your applications. Even if you are applying to the same type of program at different schools, make sure you write individual essays for each program. The programs will all vary, even if it is just slightly. Explain why you want to go to that school. There will be overlap, yes. You can reuse specific sentences or paragraphs in all of your essays, but only 1 or 2. I used the same introduction in all of my essays. I felt it was strong enough for all of them and it really showed who I am.
13. It is okay to say, "I don't know". During your interview,don't feel like you have to know all of the answers. Tell the truth, if you don't know, you don't know. That having been said, do your research! Here is a list of possible grad school interview questions, practice. Practice, practice!