A Student's Guide to the Application Process

For those anticipating applying to graduate school for spring and fall 2022, I am writing to share my experiences on the process of being admitted into Bentley University’s Graduate School of Business in the MS Analytics program. View this blog to gain insight on how to best prepare your application.

Choose the right program by connecting with Graduate Admission, student ambassadors, and alumni. Having a thorough understanding of different graduate programs will not only help you to find your best fit program; it will also help you to convince admission officers that you're a perfect match for their graduate program. From my personal experience, my first step was to research on the Bentley graduate program website and attend admission events to know more about various options. After having a basic understanding of the programs, I started to connect with alumni who had enrolled in my programs of interest on LinkedIn and WeChat. I asked them about their thoughts on Bentley Grad School and its programs. After these steps, I knew what program I should apply for and was confident to submit my application.

Start early in the process to apply to your dream graduate school. It seems obvious to meet the submission deadline, but it can take quite a while to complete all of the requirements and submit materials. Students may need to submit test scores such as the GMAT or GRE, write a personal statement, upload an updated resume, transcript(s), and provide references. For international students, you may be required to submit language scores such as the TOFEL or IELTS. If you can begin collecting materials and crafting your application early on, you will boost your chances for early admission and merit scholarship consideration.

From my perspective, I decided to pursue a graduate degree because I wanted to focus more on digital marketing for my career. At that time, I prepared in a hurry to meet the deadline and my personal statement was not as detailed as I would have liked. I also pushed my references to submit quickly because I felt like I was running out of time. In hindsight, I wish I had started the application process sooner to avoid these kinds of last-minute challenges.

Pay attention to the entire application: All components of the application are essential and are required for a reason. Make sure everything you fill out is correct and review before submitting. Pay close attention to what is being asked in the essay section and respond thoughtfully. From start to finish, I made sure to check the information I put in to ensure that what I had entered was accurate. Once you submit the application, you are unable to go back and make adjustments on your own.

Up-to-date application materials: An updated resume is a representation of your accomplishments and relevant experience. For your graduate school application resume, it is better to include top-level information, relevant professional experience, prior education, and emphasize accomplishments. The admission committee also takes interest beyond professional experience and will look for examples of volunteer work and/or community involvement.

Have confidence in your recommendation writers: Letters of recommendation are critical components of the graduate school application. Be sure to ask someone who knows you well and can speak to your ability to contribute positively in class and in your future role upon graduating. It's best to ask recommenders who have a deeper understanding of you and your work, even if they have less impressive titles. Recommenders should be able to speak on the applicant's behalf by explaining your goals, motivations, and commitments. It is also helpful for your writers if you provide guidance to them, including what you'd like for them to emphasize related to the program you are applying for. Also, don't forget to ask your recommenders before including their contact information on your application and send them thank you letters after your letters are received.

Keep your personal statement interesting: A memorable personal statement includes your professional and personal journey, how you arrived at wanting to pursue your degree, and what you hope to achieve by way of the program you are applying for. The personal statement or required essays are opportunities for you to highlight your passion for your desired career and its alignment with graduate school. Think about what inspired you to apply for a master's degree, but also remember that other applicants may have similar general experience. Be specific about your personal journey.

For more application tips, look out for an upcoming application process webinar! We wish you the best in your future graduate school journey.