Three "Secrets" I Learned When Applying To Graduate School

When I started preparing my application for PhD studies at the University of Toronto, I didn’t know much about the admission process.

Luckily, I had a professor and classmates from my Masters who mentored and supported me during the application process. Here are three “secrets” I learned from them when applying to graduate school. 

1. To be successfully admitted into my PhD, I needed to first pass an initial evaluation round and then be selected by a professor who would agree to supervise me.

This is why it is so important to make a connection (even by email) with a potential supervisor before applying. If they agree to it, you can even include the names of potential supervisors in your admission statement. 

2. To bring my application up to the standards of the program I was applying for, I needed to support my research plan with in-text citations. 

Since many Masters and PhD programs are research degrees, it is key to show your engagement with the research in your field by citing key scholars influencing your work in your statement. 

3. My reference list was not included in the page limit.

While it is crucial to check specific program admission guidelines, excluding the reference list from my page count meant that I had over half a page more room to discuss my research plan and suitability for the program.

Are you planning to apply to graduate school? Contact me to learn how I can support you during the application process.