Graduate School Applicants

Applying to graduate school can be confusing. First, there isn’t the same clarity that exists with undergraduate admissions, where there is robust data showing the median grade point averages and test scores of admitted applicants. Even if there were, admission to masters and doctoral programs typically takes place at the departmental level, so institution-wide figures would be of limited use. Second, many universities have, in the wake of U.S. government cuts to federal research funding and other budget challenges, reduced the size of their intake classes. Departments at some institutions have decided to freeze new admissions.

For applicants, another consideration is cost. Students are rightly wary of taking on excessive debt and want to find the best possible program that will cost them the least. Higher interest rates mean that after graduation students will have a higher monthly payment. The question of return on investment looms large, so it’s important students consider these questions (among others):

Do I need to get this credential to pursue the career I want?
What institutions will be the best places from which to launch (or relaunch) my career, and at which of those schools am I a competitive applicant?
What kind of financial aid/stipend is available?
What is the cost of living in the community where these campuses are located?
Will the job I get after graduation pay me enough to allow me to repay what I will owe for this degree and my undergraduate degree?

How I Can Help

I began working with graduate school applicants nearly 30 years ago while on the selection committees for Fulbright fellowships. I have worked with applicants in social sciences, public policy, STEM fields, the humanities, and law (LLM degrees). I have worked with applicants in machine learning, political science, public policy, economics, fine arts, and many other fields. Clients I have worked with have been admitted to programs at Princeton, Harvard, UCLA, Stanford, Carnegie-Mellon, and many other schools, and gone on to professional success.

When working with a client applying to graduate school, we will spend time exploring the questions listed above and establishing the cost of various options. For students who are crossing a national border, I will explain what visa regulations say and what work permits are or are not available. For those coming to the U.S., I will explain how the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program works and what changes may be in store. We will cover the visa application process, including the all-important interview.