Check out our Graduate School Application Guide provides comprehensive information and great resources to help students like you prepare for graduate school, select the best graduate program, complete the application, and fund your education. There is also a typical timeline for applying to graduate school.

Selecting the Best Graduate Program for You

The Guide contains a series of questions to help you determine which program is best for you. Directories and guidebooks can be helpful during the initial planning stage. Professional Journals can help you identify the type of research professors are conducting and where the professors are located. Student organizations can be helpful with networking and providing networking opportunities.

Funding

A graduate degree is an investment in your future. It is important to determine how the education will be financed. You should budget for: tuition, fees, housing and costs of living, books and academic materials, lab costs, and transportation. The Graduate School Application Guide discusses graduate assistantship positions, research assistant positions, fellowships, scholarships, traineeships, federal and state financial aid, and other resources to help students fund graduate school.

Test Preparation

Most universities require admission tests. Some admission tests include Dental Admissions Test (DAT), Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), Professional Assessment for Beginning Teachers (Praxis), VCAT Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), and Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

International students may be required to take a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to demonstrate competency in writing and speaking English sufficient for graduate study.

There are several test practice centers that offer test-prep courses where you can learn test-taking techniques and practice taking admissions exams. These courses can help you improve your score and prepare for what to expect. 

We are here to help! We can critique  personal statements, help you with your graduate school application and preparation, and examine the best graduate school options for you. Please schedule an individual appointment. You can now schedule appointments online using UMBCworks.