Graduate School Resources

Considering graduate school

Choosing graduate school is a personal decision. The right path depends on your goals, your field, your finances, and the kind of work you want to do after graduation.

Talking with people in your field can help you decide whether graduate school is the right next step. Ask for advice, learn how they reached their current position, and find out what kinds of programs helped them get there. Their experiences can help you identify the programs, skills, and additional steps that may support your goals.

Explore our guide below to help you with graduate school preparation:

When should you go to Grad School?

Many WashU graduates continue on to graduate school immediately after undergrad, but there is no single timeline that works for everyone. Graduate school decisions are individual, and many students benefit from taking time between undergraduate and graduate study.

Taking a break can help you gain work experience, save money, and better understand your goals. Graduate school is not a now-or-never decision. You can apply later, whether that is two years, ten years, or even longer after undergrad.

The average age of a graduate student in the United States is 31, so there is time to return when the timing is right. If you want support, you can contact the Center for Career Engagement at any point after graduation.

If you plan to take one or two years off between graduation and graduate school, use your senior year to prepare.

  • Schedule an appointment with a career coach to develop your graduate school plan.
  • Meet with your major advisor, preprofessional advisor, or another professional in your field to review your options.
  • Ask for recommendations early if you have narrowed your choices to a few programs.
  • Save a paper, project, or other course material that recommenders can use to remember your work.

Selecting target schools and programs

Step 1: Clarify Your Career Goal

Start by asking:

  • Am I looking for professional advancement?
  • What job do I want after graduate school?
  • Do I need a master’s degree, PhD, professional doctorate, or certificate?

Is my goal:

  • Industry leadership?
  • Research and academia?
  • Government or public service?
  • Entrepreneurship?
  • Career change?

For example

  • A future professor typically needs a PhD.
  • A practicing engineer may benefit more from a master’s degree.
  • Someone moving into management may consider an MBA or engineering management program.

Your choice between a master’s degree and a PhD will shape your search:

  • Master’s degree: Usually a two- to three-year program that includes coursework and sometimes a practicum. In some fields, such as social work and business, a master’s degree may lead to certification, licensure, specialization, or promotion.
  • PhD: A research degree that includes original research and a written dissertation. Many PhD programs include master’s-level study. If you decide not to continue after the master’s portion, you may still earn a master’s degree.

Step 2: Identify Your Academic Interests

Narrow your interests into specific areas. The more specific you are, the easier it becomes to identify programs with faculty and resources that align with your interests.

Example: Instead of

  • Engineering

Consider:

  • Process safety
  • Water resources
  • Sustainable manufacturing

Step 3: Create Selection Criteria

Develop a list of factors that matter most to you.

Common criteria include:

  • Program Reputation – Is the program respected in my field?
  • Faculty Expertise – Are there professors conducting research I find interesting?
  • Funding  – Are assistantships, scholarships, or fellowships available?
  • Location – Can I live there for several years?
  • Program Format  –  In-person, online, hybrid, full-time, part-time?
  • Research Opportunities  –  Will I have access to labs, projects, or field work?
  • Industry Connections  –  Are there internships and employer partnerships?
  • Graduation Outcomes  – Where do graduates work?
  • Cost – What is the total cost and expected debt?
  • Culture  – Is the environment collaborative and supportive?

Step 4: Research Programs

Gather information from:

  • University websites
  • Faculty webpages
  • Graduate program handbooks
  • Published research papers
  • Graduate student testimonials
  • Professional associations
  • LinkedIn alumni searches

Pay special attention to:

  • Faculty research interests
  • Current projects
  • Funding opportunities
  • Placement outcomes

Step 5: Evaluate Faculty Fit (Especially for PhD Applicants)

For research-based master’s and PhD programs, faculty fit is often more important than overall university ranking. Questions to ask:

  • Does this professor conduct research that interests me?
  • Are they publishing regularly?
  • Do they have funding?
  • Are they accepting new students?
  • Would I enjoy working with them for several years?

Step 6: Consider Financial Fit

Funding is a factor that may influence your choice in graduate programs. PhD programs often provide funding, including tuition remission. In almost all cases, you should not pay to attend a PhD program.

Most master’s degree programs are not funded. They may offer a teaching or research assistantship with a partial or full tuition waiver. You may need to rely on student loans to help fund your master’s program if it is not part of a PhD. Scholarship and fellowship options may also be available at particular schools. Furthermore, you will complete the FAFSA with your own financial information, as opposed to your parents’.

Compare:

  • Tuition
  • Fees
  • Cost of living
  • Assistantships
  • Fellowships
  • Employer tuition benefits

Step 7: Contact Faculty and Programs

Reaching Out to Prospective PhD Advisors

Before you apply, reach out to faculty members when it is appropriate for your field. A brief, thoughtful email can help you:

  • Express interest in the faculty member’s research
  • Show how your background connects to their work
  • Ask whether they are accepting new doctoral students

Before you reach out

Ask your advisor, mentor, or another trusted faculty member whether it is appropriate to contact potential PhD advisors in your field. Expectations vary by discipline, and even within the same program, faculty members may prefer different communication styles.

Before sending an email, review the faculty member’s:

  • Recent publications
  • Lab website, if applicable
  • Department profile
  • Professional website, if available

As you review their work, take notes on the following:

  • What about this faculty member’s research interests me?
  • How do my coursework, research experience, extracurricular activities, or professional experience connect to their work?
  • Do my research interests overlap with theirs in terms of topic, theory, or method?

PhD programs are designed to help students develop original research questions. Your goal is to show that your interests are thoughtful, specific, and connected to the faculty member’s work. You do not need to match their research exactly. Instead, show that your interests align in meaningful ways.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common mistakes when contacting potential advisors:

  • Reaching out to too many potential advisors at one school
  • Sending a generic email that could be sent to anyone
  • Asking questions that are already answered on the department website
  • Using a faculty member’s first name in the greeting
  • Assuming gender, marital status, or preferred title
  • Failing to acknowledge that faculty members have limited time

A strong email shows that you have done your research and that you respect the faculty member’s time.

Sample Email

Subject: Prospective PhD Student Inquiry

Dear Dr. [Surname],

I hope you are doing well. Over the summer, I read several of your recent studies, including [title or topic]. I was especially interested in [specific finding, method, or idea] because [brief explanation of why it interested you].

I will be applying to the [Department Name] PhD program at [University Name] for Fall 2028, and I would appreciate the opportunity to speak briefly with you about our shared research interests. If a conversation is not possible, may I ask whether you are accepting new doctoral students for Fall 2028?

A little about me: I am studying [major] at Washington University in St. Louis, and I have been working on [project, lab, or research area] with [professor, postdoctoral scholar, PhD student, or other mentor]. This fall, I will be [current activity or role].

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Student Name]
[Phone Number]

Step 8: Finalize a Strategic Application List

The strongest graduate school list is rarely the one with the most prestigious names—it is the one where research fit, funding, mentorship, and career outcomes align with your long-term goals.

Most applicants apply to:

  • Master’s Programs
    • 5–8 schools
  • PhD Programs
    • 6–12 schools

A final list should include:

  • Strong academic fit
  • Reasonable admission probability
  • Acceptable financial outcomes
  • Locations where you would genuinely be willing to live

A Practical Example

If a student wants a PhD in chemical engineering focused on sustainable materials:

  • Define research interests (e.g., polymers, carbon materials, circular economy).
  • Identify faculty publishing in those areas.
  • Find programs with funded PhD opportunities.
  • Evaluate faculty fit and placement outcomes.
  • Build a list of 8–10 programs across reach, match, and likely categories.
  • Contact prospective advisors before applying.
  • Apply strategically rather than simply choosing the highest-ranked schools.

How to apply

A graduate school application usually includes:

  • An application form
  • A personal statement
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • GRE scores, if required

Apply to several schools to improve your chances of admission. However, because applications often require fees and graduate study is highly focused, only apply to programs you would genuinely attend.

Most students apply directly to a specific department or program. Your application will be reviewed by both the department and the institution. Before applying, talk with faculty members in the programs you are considering. For PhD programs especially, you should know the work of at least one faculty member and be genuinely interested in it.

Personal statement and writing sample

Your personal statement is your chance to explain who you are and why you are a strong fit for the program.

Admissions committees want to know:

  • What influenced your interest in the field
  • What study or research skills you have developed
  • How you might contribute to the academic community
  • What you hope to do with your degree

Use your answers to those questions to shape your statement. Start early, and tailor each statement to the specific program.

For doctoral programs, a department may also ask for a writing sample. This is usually a research paper in your field. You can revise a class paper or submit a chapter from your senior thesis.

The Writing Center is a helpful campus resource for personal statement reviews and workshops.

Testing

Many graduate programs used to require standardized tests, but more schools now allow applications without test scores. If none of the schools you are applying to require a test, you do not need to take one.

Common tests include:

  • GRE: Used by many graduate programs
  • LSAT: Required for law school
  • MCAT: Required for medical school
  • GMAT: Often required for business school

If a program requires the GRE, it includes three sections:

  • Verbal reasoning
  • Quantitative reasoning
  • Analytical writing

Requesting letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation help graduate programs understand your academic abilities, professionalism, and fit for the program.

Strong recommendations often come from people who know your work well and can give specific examples. To build strong relationships with potential recommenders:

  • Take smaller upper-division courses in your major or intended field
  • Attend lectures and symposiums
  • Visit professors during office hours
  • Participate in undergraduate research
  • Write an honors thesis or complete a long-term independent study

Making the ask and following up

You should usually ask for:

  • At least two recommendations from professors in your discipline
  • A third recommendation from another person who can speak to your strengths, such as:
    • a supervisor
    • a student group advisor
    • an academic advisor outside your field

When you ask, give recommenders enough information to write a strong, specific letter. Share:

  • Your goals
  • The programs you are applying to
  • Why you are a good fit
  • Any materials that may help them remember your work

Always ask well before the deadline. It is also okay to ask whether they feel comfortable writing you a positive recommendation. If someone says no, do not take it personally.

If they agree, provide the materials they need so they do not write a generic letter. Even professors who know you well may need reminders about your specific work.

On the date you gave your recommender, which should be at least one week before the actual deadline, confirm that the letter has been received. If it has not, follow up politely. Once the letter is submitted, send a thank-you note.

Timeline

If you plan to attend graduate school immediately after undergrad, this timeline may help.

Schedule an appointment with a graduate school advisor, a career coach, an academic dean or a faculty member to talk about how to adjust this schedule to fit your needs.

Spring Semester – Junior Year

  • Talk with faculty members, especially potential recommenders, about your plans
  • Ask for advice
  • Start thinking about the GRE
  • Make a tentative list of programs

Summer – after Junior Year

  • Register for and prepare to take the GRE General Test
  • Request letters of recommendation (faculty may have more time during the summer)
  • Begin writing personal statement
  • Research funding options beyond what universities offer

Fall – Senior Year

  • Have your personal statement reviewed by faculty advisors and the Writing Center
  • Contact faculty and current students in the programs you are considering
  • Take the GRE, if required
  • Apply for scholarships with early deadlines
  • Request letters of recommendation at least one month before the deadline
  • Give recommenders a copy of your personal statement and other application materials
  • Send transcripts to programs
  • Submit your applications early
  • Complete financial aid forms and apply for scholarships

Spring – Senior Year

  • Visit your top-choice schools if possible
  • Compare financial aid offers
  • Consider negotiating financial aid offers
  • File the FAFSA unless your program is fully funded

Ask the experts

WHO can you ask?

  • Internship or volunteer supervisors
  • Student & professional groups
  • WashU alumni (Use LinkedIn, WashU CNX, and your own network to find them)
  • WashU advisors (four year, major, scholarship/fellowship) and faculty
  • Current graduate students (at WashU & in your target program)
  • Faculty/principal investigator in your target programs

WHAT do you ask?

Academic Programs  

  • Does the school offer a wide range of courses and disciplines?
  • Is the program especially strong in certain areas?
  • Is a thesis required for a master’s degree?
  • Are exams required?
  • How long does it take to complete the program?
  • What is the retention rate?
  • Is the program accredited?
  • Is this department a priority on campus?
  • Does the school have library resources related to my field?
  • What is the process from coursework to exams to dissertation work in a PhD program?

Faculty

  • Is the faculty diverse in background and experience?
  • Does the faculty have professional experience outside academia?
  • What is the faculty publication and presentation record?

Current Students and Alumni

  • What is the size of the student body, cohort, and department?
  • Would I feel comfortable in this program?
  • Will I feel challenged and supported by other students?
  • What career development support is available?
  • What are recent graduates doing now?
  • Who could become part of my professional network?

Lifestyle & Finances

  • What is the cost of living in the area?
  • Are assistantships, grants, tuition remission, or financial aid available?
  • Am I eligible for student health insurance?