Many say grad school is the new undergrad. Whether you believe that or not, pursuing a master’s degree can be a beneficial learning experience and an asset when applying for a job down the road. Keep reading if you’re interested in furthering your education at the graduate level.

Do your research

Grad students tend to agree the most important thing when applying to a master’s program is to start exploring your options early.

“This includes e-mailing the schools months ahead to introduce yourself,” notes Josh Morrison, a women’s studies and feminist research master’s student at Western.

“Start with the graduate chair and tell her [or] him your general interests, and what professors you might want to study with.”

Beforehand, spend time carefully researching the schools through their websites and learn about the professors you want to work with through Google Scholar, he adds.

Personalize your personal statement

Most grad programs require letters of reference, transcripts and a personal statement where you express your intended area of study.

“Look at each point required in an essay or personal statement, think of your answers to each, jot them down and write a statement around it so you know you are hitting each point,” suggests Jenna Cameron, a Western master’s student in computer science.

According to Western alumnus Jeff Hynds, now a master’s student in English at Queen’s University, it’s good to keep in mind your statement of interest isn’t binding on your course of study.

“It’s meant to test your writing skills and demonstrate some capacity for complex thought,” he explains.

The structure of the statement, and the quality of your writing, are the crucial factors.

“The committee has to read so many applications, [so] if yours is short, concise, smart and academically sexy, it will stand out,” says Morrison.

“Even consider the order of your statement of intent. Research first, reasons for choosing school second is my suggestion.”

Cameron says it’s also important to give yourself time to review and rewrite your application, and have peers or professors you trust read it over.

“Also consider asking profs in the same department but with different specialties than you to look at it,” Morrison adds.

“The committee selecting you will have a broad range of interests, so your statement needs to be specific enough to show you have a firm knowledge of what you want to do […] but must be accessible to everyone at the table.”

It’s all about connections

Solid marks and admission essays will get you a long way but references can make or break your application.

If you’re applying this year, choose professors whose class you did well in and who know you best.

If you’re applying down the road, start developing a relationship with profs as soon as you can by chatting with them during office hours and regularly participating in their classes.

“I had been developing the connections for good reference letters since my second year,” says Western grad Eric Taylor, now a master’s student in cognitive sciences at Purdue University.

“I can’t imagine trying to do all that and applying within one semester. When I came knocking for reference letters, they knew I was coming.”

It’s a good idea to give your references all the information they need, Morrison adds, whether it’s the address to which they’re sending the reference –– and who the grad chair is so that they address it properly –– and the information on recommendation forms.

According to Taylor, the most important thing in the entire process of getting into grad school is that you develop a good rapport not only with your references, but the person or people you are applying to work with.

“Supervisors realize that you are a huge investment, and they want to be sure that they are getting a good deal out of you,” he explains.

“I had previously volunteered with my supervisor when she was at Western, and so she knew we would work well together –– in fact, she was one of my reference letters.”

In summary: if you don’t already know the people you are going to apply to work with, e-mail them and ask if they’re taking grad students this year, tell them about yourself and why you are interested in their research and ask if they require anything specific in their applicants.