The point is that getting into graduate school can be capricious even for students with really good grades and with lots of other things going for them. Rochester Institute of Technology The general reputation of a school is often based on historical or other factors that can be totally unrelated to the quality of graduate training it offers in your field. Article contributed by graduate-school expert Dave G. Mumby, Ph.D. Â, image courtesy of Jeroen van Oostrom / FreeDigitalPhotos.net. Keep the list short so that you can focus your attention on the schools that really pique your interest. Find lots more expert advice on getting into grad school in the newly released book: Graduate School: Winning Strategies For Getting In, 2nd edition, by Dave G. Mumby, Ph.D. Deciding that you want to go to grad school is the first step in a rather lengthy and daunting process. if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} Apply To More Than Just One, But Not To Every Program You Come Across. Admissions officers are not looking for small talk—they want to really get to know you. a2a_config.linkurl = "http://mygraduateschool.com/Howmanygraduateprograms.html"; Almost anyone who puts in the necessary time and effort to explore the options for graduate studies in his or her discipline or field of interest will come to at least two conclusions: There are many programs and schools to choose from, and there is considerable variability among them in terms of their specific appeals. Jenna Cortis is an MBA admissions trends researcher and business school expert. Get Your Copy Now! For each application, you will have to pay for transcripts, standardized test scores, postage, and probably a nonrefundable application fee. Applying to 4-6 schools per application round will allow you to invest authentically in the programs you’re targeting with visits, email introductions and campus tours, Don’t “laundry list” the classes and professors the admissions committees know they have at their school; focus on your personal “why”, Do not mass apply with a generic application; the admissions committee will not take your application seriously unless you zero in on why you need to attend their program to achieve your long-term goal, School specificity and school fit are almost as important as your standout factor; the more you show school fit, the more easily the admissions committee will see you there. Paying the Price for Higher Education: Don't Do It! It might be easy enough to ask for a small number of letters, but asking a busy professor to write two dozen letters will likely just get you two dozen short and ineffective letters, if it gets you any at all. However, make sure they are not all so competitive that you may not get in. OT is pretty competitive, so I think you should apply to more than 5 schools. You will need to follow up on each of your applications to make sure that all the materials have arrived. A guiding rule of thumb is that you should submit applications to no more than 4-6 schools per round. In many cases, the prospective graduate advisor is the one who will ultimately decide on your application, and there could be any one of several possible reasons why that person might not accept any particular applicant. Concordia serves over 8,600 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, 43% of whom... 3. But fear not—we’re here to walk you through your application process and help you get started. Even if you are truly outstanding in some ways, those might not be the ways that matter to your prospective advisor. GMAT™ is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council™. For additional help with your business school application and resume, be sure to check out our new resume editing service. But if geographical location was all that went into the decision, the odds are high that she is missing programs offered at other schools that are significantly better matched with what she is looking for in terms of specialized research and training. Find lots more expert advice on getting into grad school in the newly released book: Graduate School: Winning Strategies For … It’s important to remember that each application costs money. Are Your Ready for Grad School Applications? If you are currently thinking of applying to only one graduate school, it may be a good idea to re-check your reasons. Concordia University – Montreal How Many Grad Schools Should I Apply To? var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; Try GMAT Tutor FREE for 7 days with no commitment, Let us know if you're interested in our enterprise license program, How to select your recommenders for your MBA application, Admissions advice for early-career applicants. But if geographical location was all that went into the decision, the odds are high that she is missing programs offered at other schools that are significantly better matched with what she is looking for in terms of specialized research and training. Rochester Institute of Technology is a technological institution based in... 2. I believe you should apply to anywhere from one to 15 colleges. It’s advisable that you apply to at least five graduate programs that you’re well qualified for, known as target schools. a2a_config.linkname = "How many graduate programs should I apply to ? There is no way of knowing exactly how you will be evaluated by any particular admission committee. You do not want to impose more than a few recommendation forms on anyone. Do you want to hear about discounts, offers and MBA opportunities from us? The decisions of admissions committees and graduate advisors are products of human judgment, based on consideration of several factors, some of which are objective, whereas others are subjective. Right now, I have 8 schools on my list and I'm not sure if I should apply to all of them or narrow the list down a little more. If you have time to perfect only three applications, then you should focus on applying to just three schools, rather than applying to five different schools and submitting only “average” applications. Choices must be made on the basis of your research into what each of them has to offer, how well they match your interests and goals, how competitive they are, and how your own credentials (including grades) are likely to stack up against the competition. Is it better to put all your effort into applying to only the program at the top of your list, or should you apply to as many programs as possible? If you are applying to the more competitive professional-degree programs, then you might want to apply to a few more. No student should take for granted that he or she will be accepted into any particular program. The career outlook for someone with a Ph.D. is determined mostly by that person’s competence and expertise, and not at all by the name of the school where he or she studied. var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; Basically, the rule of thumb for applying to grad schools is that you should submit applications to no more than 4-6 schools per round. Previous When should you start preparing for graduate school? As an admissions consultant, I’ve had conversations with business school applicants who have great test scores, excellent community involvement, outstanding leadership …  and ten rejection letters in hand. Although several caveats have been mentioned, we have not really discussed the exact number of programs you should apply to. Also, make sure that these are schools you would like to attend and that you like the program and not just because they have a high acceptance rate. “I plan to go there for graduate studies because the school has such a great reputation, which is sure to help my career, afterward.” Do not fall for the common misconception that a high-profile school will offer superior education and training compared to a lower-profile school. Whether you are still deciding if grad school is right for you, or are looking for ways to maximize your application, this book is for you. On the other hand, it’s common (and justified) to apply to 30+ medical schools. Think of it like a wedding guest list: the more people you invite, the less people you’ll be able to talk with and have genuine, deep conversations. No Credit Card Required! You also have to consider the amount of time any person will be able or willing to spend writing letters of reference and filling out recommendation forms on your behalf.