You worked hard to finish your previous academic degree, and the time has come to take the next step in life. Perhaps you're thinking about graduate school for the first time, or wondering whether you should add your doctorate to that master's degree hanging on the wall. Getting into a PhD program may seem daunting, but with enough planning and hard work, you might soon be on your way to fulfilling your dreams.

Charting Your Course

Read about programs in your discipline. Many guides exist to help you decide which programs would be a good match by listing grade and test requirements, financial assistance, faculty research interests, and other special information. Go to the library or your local bookstore, or ask a current professor or mentor what they recommend. Use the Web to find programs you're interested in and visit their sites for information beyond the application packet. Consider applying to a range of programs in terms of competitiveness to maximize your chances of being accepted.

Looking Good on Paper

Good grades are a great place to begin, but far from the entire package. Your scores on graduate entrance exams like the GRE are generally factored into the equation when you apply, so study for these exams well in advance of the test day and take practice tests. Essays should be tailored to each program and show the faculty how your interests and experiences dovetail nicely with what they want and can offer you. Make sure your essays are outstanding by having others, especially professors, read them and comment about the content and quality of your writing. Develop relationships with your current professors through assisting with research or other program activities, so that when the time comes they will be able to write a strongly positive letter of recommendation for you. Whether you conduct your own original research or assist a professor with theirs, demonstrating your participation in research activities is crucial, because PhD programs are heavily research-oriented. And before you send your application in, double-check it for any errors --- you want it to look pristine.

Meeting Professors in Person

Visit as many schools as you can, so you can speak directly with the professors and express your interest in working with them, because these folks will decide who gets in and who doesn't. To prepare for interviews, have a friend interview you using questions you're likely to encounter, until the answers come easily. Ask intelligent questions about the program and school, and always have a question ready when they ask if you have any more questions. Be personable, project confidence, and genuine interest, and no matter how anxious or stressed you are, be polite to everyone you come into contact with, from support staff to professors. You never know whose opinion will be factored into the final decision.

The Bottom Line

So what does it take to get into a PhD program? Standing out from the crowd in a positive manner. Show them you have the knowledge, skills, interest, and motivation to succeed, and your chances of getting in will increase exponentially.

Source:

Advice for Undergraduates Considering Graduate School

More Information:

PhDs.org: Finding the Graduate School That's Right for You

Tips For Getting Into Graduate School