If you’re reading this blog, then you’re that person who wants to have a successful application to get into graduate school. Read on to learn!
#1. Submitting a professional CV instead of an academic CV
You will mostly find students submitting a professional CV instead of an academic CV. When applying for admission, you are required to submit an academic CV. Unfortunately, the university will not inform you about this. Well, you may be lucky to have someone teach you this before you start your application. Get it right today, you need to have an academic CV or school CV for your application. This kind of CV is academic focused. You must list your educational background, research, teaching, publications experiences, positions held in school. You can go ahead and add some few work experience but it should not have prominence over your academic experiences. Your academic CV tells a story about who you are and your educational achievements. It is a plus to add your volunteering, sporting experiences and other skills relevant to boosting your academic profile.
#2. Speaking to your recommenders/references late
Having a recommender or referee for your application is very important. The admission committee wants to know more about you in convincing them to choose you.Your recommender is that person you shouldn’t take for granted. Universities have a number of recommenders they want. Some will ask for one or two, the maximum you will be asked is three. Your recommender can be your former lecturer from undergraduate school or your employer or a person who knows you better through your skills and competencies. There are instances where a student speaks to the recommender a few days to the deadline. If this happens, the recommender would have missed the date in submitting his/her recommendation due to short notice or will just write anything without taking time. Others will have errors in their letters and this sends a negative impression to the admission committee. You have to inform your recommenders WEEKS before the deadline and keep reminding them. Another thing you should consider is who you take as a recommender. You have to take someone you have a good relationship with who you are confident her/she will speak very well of you. Some students make the mistake of taking a recommendation they don’t know very well or one they don’t have a good relationship with. When this happens, you might not get a good recommendation which could affect your application.
#3. Grammatical errors
You should totally avoid having errors in your application. The admission committee wants to read a good application to consider you to have your spot in your chosen program. You don;t want to bore or annoy anyone reading your documents. Take your time to write well and avoid grammatical errors. Structure your sentences well for your readers to enjoy knowing about you and your competence. Stick to instructions especially when writing your essays to have a presentable application. Read over and over again before submitting.
#4. Not having a proofreader
You are at a disadvantage if you do not have a proof reader to go through your application. Get someone who is more knowledgeable about school applications. It could be a current or past student who knows more about the school you are applying to. It could also be your lecturer or parent or friend to help you check your grammar and avoid all errors.
You’re a good step in gaining that admission when you consider these tips to avoid making mistakes in your application. Now start that journey!
