Once you can identify academic and professional goals and the field and degree that interests you, it is time to begin investigating what programs are out there.
Creating a School List: Where Should I Apply?
Researching Programs
To have the best experience in graduate school, you will need to do your homework and identify programs that best match your goals and interests. You want to make sure you’re a great fit for the program, but that the program is also a good fit for you.
Careful research of programs is essential because even though two programs may have the same name or offer the same degree, programs can be quite different. Web research is the best place to start, but it can be more time-consuming than you think. For this reason, it is never too early to begin identifying programs. Another way of identifying programs is by looking at research coming out of your field. What articles inspire you? What researchers are publishing in your area(s) of interest? Find out at which institution they are based.
Web Research
Google is a great place to start, but also consider search engines on websites like Petersons.com or the Princeton Review.
Start with a search engine to quickly get the names of programs, but then go directly to program websites. You will find more extensive, up-to-date, and accurate information on the institution’s page.
Network
Also, harness your network. Ask professors and graduate students in your major department about what they know about certain programs, and ask them for recommendations based on your goals and interests. This is also a great conversation starter that allows you to share your goals and interests surrounding graduate school if you feel intimidated to approach potential letter writers. Ask them to share their paths to their degrees. Where did your professor complete their master’s and doctorate? You may find out that teaching assistants (TAs) you have at UC Davis did their master’s elsewhere and may have information about another institution to offer.
Graduate and Law School Fair
Consider attending our annual Graduate and Law School Fair at UC Davis, a public event where attendees can explore graduate and law programs and speak directly with admissions staff. Attendees can learn more from the program representatives about their application process, the program’s faculty, culture, curriculum, and financial support (including scholarships and fellowships).
Questions
In your research, the broad questions you want to consider are the following:
- What is the culture of the program? What do they value?
- What makes them unique among similar programs?
- What reputation does the program have among academics?
- How does this program fit or not fit my goals and interests?
To answer these broad questions, consider the following facets of the program:
- Program accreditation; state, private, or for-profit
- Degree(s) or specialization(s) offered
- Competitiveness of program
- Average time to degree/graduation rates
- Job placement of graduates
- Location, climate, and size of the program
- Research facilities, labs
- Demographic makeup of campus population
- Costs: tuition, materials, relocation, housing
- Availability of financial aid and fellowships
- Funding, and what type (teaching assistant/student researcher)
- Faculty-to-student ratio
- Curriculum and courses
- Interdisciplinary freedom
- Faculty research interests and research activity level
- Sub-disciplines covered, theoretical or applied
- Available student services, graduate student union
If you are considering a research-based program, sharing research interests with the faculty is essential, especially for Ph.D. programs. There needs to be multiple people who can mentor you in a thesis or dissertation project--multiple because professors can go on sabbatical, retire, or leave the institution, so you want options. This is particularly true for Ph.D. programs because the timeline to the degree largely rests on your individual progress. A shorter time to degree is also a good sign. You could read into this statistic and assume students are well supported and mentored, and competitive for funding and fellowships. A longer time to degree could imply the opposite (and would mean more of a time and financial commitment on your part). However, time to degree will naturally differ from STEM versus non-STEM, with STEM degrees (and sometimes experimental social sciences) skewing shorter.
For professional degrees, look at the credentials of the faculty. Are they experienced and/or practicing professionals? Are they full-time, tenured faculty, or are they part-time adjuncts or lecturers? Pay special attention to statistics regarding job placement, since your degree may map very directly to a profession and may not offer the same flexibility as a more general degree once you are on the job market. Also, read very closely about opportunities for internships and the nature of required practicums. Where will you be applying your skills, and what partnerships does the program have with other organizations, industries, the government, etc.? How will you be supported in your practicums? This is also relevant as you consider credential programs and student teaching requirements. Do they integrate theoretical courses and applied student teaching side by side (preferred), or do you enter the classroom after the first year? Who will supervise you and provide you with feedback? Can they guarantee that your supervisor will hold a credential in your area (preferred)?
Once you have determined the program is a good fit for your goals and interests, you can begin researching and collecting information on application deadlines and required materials, covered in the next section. How many programs you choose to apply to is a personal choice, but 6-8 may be recommended so that you have options. Make sure to also identify programs with differing acceptance rates, i.e., reach schools and safety schools to keep options open.
| Program 1 | Program 2 | Program 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Likes | |||
| Dislikes | |||
| Cost |
Becoming Competitive: How do I prepare myself?
To be a competitive applicant, you must go beyond your grades. Many applicants will have strong GPAs, but what have they accomplished outside of the classroom? Below are many ways to help yourself stand out as an applicant.
- Participate in undergraduate research - Undergraduate Research Center
- Join an undergraduate research cohort program - Undergraduate Research Center - Funding and sponsored programs
- Apply for competitive fellowships and grants:
- Participate in a summer research institute
- Secure an internship that gets you hands-on knowledge about your future profession - Connect with the Career Center or find an internship using Handshake
- Engage in leadership development at the Center for Leadership Learning
- Support a cause you believe in as an advocate, volunteer, or activist
Frequently Asked Questions
- What experiences should I pursue?
- To stand out as an applicant and develop your skills, it is important to pursue experiences outside of the classroom: research, internships, relevant work experience, volunteering, study abroad, activism, etc. What you decide to participate in helps to build your identity and demonstrate your sustained investment in your field and specific interests.
- Is research experience expected?
- Research experience will always help you to be competitive for any program, given the transferable skills you are able to develop: time and project management, analytical/critical thinking, academic writing, etc. If you are applying to research-based master’s (culminating in a thesis) or doctoral degree programs, research experience becomes even more valuable. Beyond becoming a competitive applicant, you should participate in research while an undergraduate to make sure you enjoy it!Graduate Admission Requirements: How do I apply?
Suggested Workshops
Attend one of our workshops to learn more about these topics and more! View our schedule of workshops offered this term here.
- Grad School 101
Resources
- Career Counseling, Exploration
- Career Center (including career courses)
- Seeking Experiences
- Career Center (including fairs)
- Undergraduate Research Center (programs)