Graduate School Applications
Choosing the right graduate program is a crucial first step to meet your academic and professional goals. For example, are you interested in a research-intensive program that could lead to a PhD, or do you want to graduate with a professional degree like an MBA?
Understanding additional factors such as faculty expertise, program structure, location, and more can help you make an informed decision about your future. In this section, we'll explore strategies for researching graduate programs and provide tips to help you select one that meets your needs.
Think about what you like to study, locations you'd like to explore, languages you know or want to study, career goals and aspirations, etc. Let this be a brainstorm—don't overthink it! Allow the ideas to make it to the paper with no judgment.
Take your list and group items by theme to help you find your priorities. For example, are you noticing that your research interests are falling into a few key categories? Are you noticing might need to move to a different region to help you explore those ideas fully?
Graduate school is a big commitment—make sure your plans align with your preferred approach to learning. For example, do you love reading old newspapers and archival materials? Do you prefer analyzing visual works or film? Are you interested in reading body language or examining non-verbal cues in people? Find a graduate school that encourages you to conduct your research in the way that you want to do it!
Combine the keywords from your list in different ways to find programs and schools. Read through the program's overview, the program's learning outcomes, the department that houses the program, etc. to make sure everything aligns with your initial list. Keep an open mind at this stage—you're exploring potential options! Record programs of interest in an Excel sheet and make note of any pros or cons associated with each program.
If you find a program that looks like a great fit, find the faculty page and check out their research interests. Do any of the faculty members share similar research interests with you? Are there any graduate students or PhD students who are researching in the same areas that you'd like to? If your research interests don't match with the faculty members or with other graduate students, then the program is likely not a good fit for you.
Does the program provide funding opportunities for graduate students? What does the average cost of living look like in the city where the school is located? Are there any other initiatives, programs, or resources on the campus that would support your research efforts? Make note of any features that make a program or a school more competitive option for you.
Even though you're just browsing now, it's important to note any key application deadlines to help with planning your next steps in the application process.
Once you've picked the top 5 programs that align with your research interests and goals, it's time to start applying!
Explore Sheridan's Career Services and connect with a skilled Career Counsellor to plan your career path and further education, including graduate school programs.
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The first step in applying to grad school is finding the program that fits your academic and career goals. Use this checklist below to guide your brainstorming and research.
What’s your focus within your field? Pinpoint the topics or areas you’re passionate about.
Look for programs that match your interests, research goals, and career aspirations.
Research professors whose work aligns with your interests. They could be potential advisors or mentors.
Look into things like prerequisites, test scores (if needed), GPA, and relevant work experience.
Grad school deadlines can sneak up on you! Create a timeline with key dates for applications, recommendation letters, exams, etc.
If moving isn’t an option, see if the program is offered online.
