1. Reflect
- What is your motivation for more education?
- When is the best time for you to pursue graduate or professional school?
- What is your career vision? Will graduate school help you get there?
Be honest with yourself and be clear with your motivations.
2. Explore your options
- Gather info from internet resources and people!
- Career Cruising
- Can Learn
- Professional association websites
- Professionals working in the career field: use LinkedIn or Alumni & Partner Advisor Network
- Professors or students in the programs of interest
- Admission Coordinators or Program Coordinators of the programs
Not sure what you are searching for? Then take a moment and do some career exploration.
3. Research and know your options
There are many types of Graduate programs such as; Research intensive Masters or Ph.D, professional focused with internships or projects, and course based graduate level. Some require subject knowledge in same field and some will accept a wide range of undergrad programs. You can also consider post-graduate certificates at College or University Continuing Education.
When researching the programs, some things to look for are:
On the Graduate Studies school website:
- Look for general graduate admissions application requirements, application fees and processes, financial supports, student supports
On the program-specific website, ask yourself:
- Do the program and courses fit with your academic and professional goals?
- What is the structure of the program and what is the faculty focus or specialties?
- If it is a professional program, is it accredited by the professional regulatory body?
- If it is a research based program, are there supervisors that match your research interests?
- What is the cost of the program and are there scholarships or funding options?
After thoroughly reviewing the web info, direct your program questions to the program admission coordinators.
4. Gather the application details
Gather the facts for each program and look for the details:
- What is the minimum and competitive GPA? How is the GPA calculated?
- Are there required courses and do they need a minimum grade?
- Do they require academic and/or professional references?
- Does it require a Resume/CV? What kinds of experiences are they looking for?
- Do they ask for supplemental materials like a letter of intent, personal statement, or supplemental questions?
- If there are entrance exams, when are results needed and what is competitive results?
- Will there be interviews and when?
- What is the selection process?
- What are the deadlines for fees, application materials, and references? They may vary.
- What are the admissions costs? When are the program fees due?
Create a spreadsheet to help you keep track of the details. We have a handy Further Education Research Organizer to help you get started. Click for the Excel spreadsheet, found under the Research and Application support section.
5. Take a pause
The whole process of exploring, researching and wondering if the program is a right fit or if you will get accepted can be a lot to handle. It’s quite common to have questions and experience uncertainty. This is a good time to pause and clarify and reflect. Reflecting on your goals for grad school and then evaluating the programs you are considering can help you gain more confidence in your decisions and next steps
Clarify your Goals for Grad School
- What do you want to learn?
- What will help you be successful?
- What skills or knowledge do you want to develop?
- What do you hope the program will provide, career-wise?
- What opportunities do you hope the program will provide to support your career goals?
- What supports do I hope the program/school has to help me transition after the program?
- What do you want to achieve personally?
- What are your financial considerations?
- What are your location considerations?
- Do you have any supports systems, medical needs or relationships to consider?
- What is the time commitment and best timing for you?
Evaluate your options
List your Academic, Professional and Personal Goals and then evaluate your programs based on your own criteria to help you with your decision
6. Get organized!
- Create a chart/spreadsheet with all the details, requirements and deadlines.
- As new questions emerge, make a note of them and search for an answer.
- Make a list of requirements for your applications and develop a plan to meet them.
- Create a timeline with deadlines in mind to help you stay on track.
7. Apply!
- Focus your application to each program and follow the instructions for each program and apply!
- Keep all account info, documents submitted and records secure
- Seek out supports as needed. Student Success Centre and Alumni Career Services offers career counselling and application support to help you on your career journey
- Follow up with your references to thank them for their support
- Additional tip sheets to support your application process can be found on our website, and workshops on OSCARplus -> Events as well as Further Education Essentials, an online self-paced program to guide your further education planning
Connect for support
Are you unsure about your options or suitability for career or further education paths? We have career counsellors that can help you navigate the career planning process and more information on our Further Education webpage
Further Education Essentials: a free, self-paced online program
This program is designed to help you build more self-awareness, reflect on your options, understand the process of applying and explore further education options. At the end, you will have knowledge about graduate and professional school applications, including exploring your options and making decisions. Register on OSCARPlus (check the start of each month)
Check OSCARplus for events, company recruitment sessions, workshops and job and volunteer postings to support your professional development.