Grad School Preparation Checklist
Are you planning to pursue a graduate degree? Choosing the graduate program that is right for you is essential to growing your knowledge and expanding future possibilities in your desired field of study. To help you get started, we've compiled a checklist to guide you along the way.
Let's start by understanding what grad school is, and what you need to do to make the most of your experience.
What to Know About Grad School
Graduate school is for students and professionals who wish to pursue higher education in a specialized field after having achieved a bachelor's degree. Most often, graduate school leads to master’s and doctoral degrees.
There are many motivations for choosing grad school. As creative fields become more and more specialized, grad school may provide the skills and the expertise needed for advanced employment. While some may choose grad school to further deepen their knowledge of their area of study, others choose grad school for a “career change.” They are not fulfilled and view grad school as an opportunity to change professions. Still, others choose higher education to dedicate two years to developing a body of work that speaks to their creative vision. Whatever the reason, attending grad school is a significant investment in your future and the following checklist will help you get prepared for making an informed decision.
How to Prepare for Graduate School
You may be close to finishing your bachelor's degree and deciding between entering the workforce or studying further. Or, perhaps you completed your undergraduate program a few years ago, and have some work experience under your belt, but want to go back to school.
1. Ask the Right Questions to Determine if Graduate School Is Right for You
Before you apply, understanding what you want at the end of your program will go a long way. Why are you interested in the subject? Is a specialized degree necessary to advance your career, or can you learn more on the job? Do you want to build your professional network while learning? When you attend grad school, you invest your time, energy, and money for two years, so knowing your why is vital.
2. Find the Right Grad School and Program
As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” When searching for a grad school, it is important to weigh more than just rankings and reputation. Ultimately, your chosen school should match your specific educational needs and preferences. Start broad and steadily narrow your research as you go. Consider the following:
Grad school program characteristics: Is the program curriculum structured or loose? Are required courses there to help you build a foundation, or will you be granted a degree of flexibility while fulfilling degree requirements? Is the program hands-on or theoretical? A hands-on, project-based approach involving research may better prepare you for the workforce, but if your goals are more academic and theoretical, you should search for schools that specialize in these areas. A graduate degree should provide better employment prospects and make you more desirable to future employers—no matter what field of practice.
Tuition: Be realistic about what grad school you can afford, and consider the financial aid opportunities available.
Location: Grad school is an excellent opportunity to think about where you want to live. Whether you prefer city or more rural living, consider the network of connections you will be creating throughout your education. Some programs offer online courses, others are low-residency, and still others have hybrid options. Do your research, and think about “where” you will be and who you will likely be working with throughout the two years.
3. Research the Course Catalog and Curriculum
Look carefully through the curriculum to determine if the program makes sense to you from a pedagogical perspective. Some school websites fail to include detailed course descriptions. You may have to dig deeper and contact them over email to get a solid overview of what the program includes. Understanding the curriculum will give you insight into what kinds of applicants you can expect to be working alongside if you get accepted into the program.
4. Network to Learn More About Grad Schools
At a certain point, you've likely narrowed down your list of potential grad schools. Now, you're ready to engage with others to learn more about specific programs.. Here’s what to do next:
Talk to current students and alumni. The best way to learn about a program is to connect with people who have been through it!
If you’re still in undergrad, discuss your interest in the program with faculty members and academic adviser(s). Part of their job is to help students succeed in their future academic endeavors.
If you are making a career change, seek advice from professionals in your chosen field about the best educational path. Talk to them about what schools stand out, what schools they frequently hire from, and where they see the profession going in the future.
Get in touch with prospective grad schools directly and ask them questions. How they respond back to you, who they offer to meet with you, and the quality of their answers will give you a great sense of “the right fit” (or the wrong fit!), and help guide you to the next step.
5. Attend an Info Session or Plan a Campus Visit
Most grad schools offer either Zoom information sessions, in-person open house events, or even virtual campus tours for potential students.On a visit, you can get a glimpse of student life, speak to faculty members, explore buildings and classrooms, maker-spaces, as well as learn about housing options and transportation routes to school. There is no replacement for experiencing a campus in person. If it’s possible to make the trip, it will be worth it.
6. Apply to Grad Schools
Now it’s time to apply. Take your time with your applications, paying close attention to the admission deadlines and required materials. It can be helpful to create a spreadsheet to track application and admissions requirements. Every school has different prerequisites that may include the following:
A completed application form
Transcripts that show the undergraduate courses you took, grades, GPA, and other details
Standardized admissions test scores—the Graduate Record Examination General Test is the most common one. Contact your prospective school to know what tests they require you to take. (Note: Lots of graduate design schools do not require GREs.)
Letters of recommendation
A copy of your résumé
Statement of purpose that describes who you are and discusses why you want to attend the program
A portfolio of your work
The application process can take months and time management is imperative. Give yourself plenty of time to carefully complete your applications before the deadlines so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
The Timeline: When to Start Prepping for Grad School
If you’re planning to pursue grad school while you’re still an undergraduate, you can start taking prerequisite courses for your program. If you’re a working professional, you may have a better idea of what skills you will need for the next phase of your career. Either way, below is a brief timeline of when to begin preparation and what to do in the months before the program begins.
A Year in Advance
You can start exploring grad school options as early as a year (or earlier!) before applying. Gather advice from current students, professionals, LinkedIn articles, job postings, trusted faculty and colleagues. While you may run into conflicting opinions, asking questions far in advance will give you time to synthesize your true motivations and future career goals. At the same time, don’t worry if you’re a bit late to the party!—sometimes prospective students have only been looking for a few months. Just do your research and listen to your gut.
Six Months
Narrow down your grad school options. Write a first draft of your personal statement, ask for a letter of recommendation, and order your undergraduate transcripts. Take standardized tests if required and gather all additional material to complete your application. If you need financial aid, this is an excellent time to contact potential resources and assess the requirements and application process.
Four Months
By now, you should know which schools you will be applying to. Tailor each personal statement to the specific program, gather your documents, and assemble your portfolio together. (Remember that a portfolio is never “finished”—you will always be adding and subtracting!) During this time, plan a campus visit to explore the school.
Three Months
It’s time to submit your application! Grad schools can follow different timelines, even programs within the same school, and so it's wise to send in your application ahead of the deadline. Make sure you’re clear on what to submit before it’s time to submit.t.
The Deadline
While design schools often have an application deadline in mid-January, follow up to ensure that the admissions department has received everything they need. It’s also important to note that some schools have “rolling admissions” and are willing to take applications after the published deadline. This is particularly important if you are getting a late start, or find a program that is “perfect for you” close to or after their deadline. Always ask!
The Interview and The Wait
Design schools will often require an interview. Make sure you arrive well-informed about the program and with your questions ready. Ask them if they require any additional materials from you or anything else that will increase your chances of success.
If you apply to many schools, you'll likely receive some acceptances and some rejections. If you have more than one acceptance, congrats! Talk to alumni and anyone affiliated with the school to get a sense for which school to choose. Always visit in person if possible.
When you've made your choice, notify the admissions department, decline any other acceptances, and get excited for your next adventure!
Learn More About MFA Products of Design
Graduate school is an exciting step toward growing your knowledge and expertise in your field.
Do you want to pursue a career in art and design? Our graduate Product Design program immerses students in the world of design through our groundbreaking curriculum and award-winning faculty of professional designers. Throughout the two years of study, our students will learn to be bold and think creatively when approaching any new challenge. To learn more about our product design graduate degree, encompassing all design disciplines, contact us through our website for more information