The University of Georgia’s online graduate program applications do not have to be daunting. Here are some tips to ensure that the process moves smoothly:

Understand why you are applying

There are lots of reasons why you might decide to apply to grad school. Perhaps the reason is that a higher level of education is an investment in the future or that employers are more likely to respect a graduate degree. Maybe the reason is to learn a subject at a more in-depth level or to study under professors who are experts in the field. No matter what the reason, applying to grad school is not a decision to be made lightly. Deciding on an online program rather than a traditional one is also not a decision to be made lightly. It can, however, be a more realistic fit if you already have a job and cannot take the time off, or you have kids to raise and need the flexibility of online classes. Understanding the reasons why you are applying to graduate school will reflect on your application and this will show to a review committee.

Start early

Meeting the deadlines may seem like a small part of the application process, but a rushed application will be much less likely to create a successful applicant. Therefore, plan ahead and create a schedule for application deadlines, scholarship deadlines and financial aid deadlines. Some programs may be willing to extend a deadline for someone in a special circumstance, but putting in a good amount of time and effort will decrease the chance of needing extra time. Starting the application early will ensure that any and all questions about the program can be answered and that there are no technical problems or forgotten recommendation letters along the way.

Connect with those already in the program

One of the biggest mistakes someone applying to graduate school can make is not researching the school or program enough beforehand. Connecting with current or former graduate students is an excellent way to gain insight about aspects of the program that cannot be found simply through the school’s website. Talking to students who are or have been involved in the program will give you the chance to ask questions and gain knowledge from their experience. Additionally, it is not a bad idea to reach out to professors in the programs with questions or to hear a different take on the program. Lots of University of Georgia online students and professors are more than willing to talk to and answer the questions of prospective applicants.

To reach out, ask your program advisor or contact the UGA Online Learning staff. You can do this by email (online@uga.edu), phone (1-844-UGA-DAWG) or by leaving a direct message to one of our social media accounts.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Tell a story through your resume and personal statement

A resume and a personal statement are the most intimate ways to convey an applicant’s story to a review committee. Both are created by and therefore tailored to, the applicant specifically and they are both tools that can be used to stand out from other applicants. To stand out from other graduates, it is important to customize a resume and personal statement to the specific grad school being applied to. Make the story of why you want to enroll in a graduate program interesting and unique and do not simply write what you think the admissions office wants to hear because they will be able to tell. Have a professor or someone trustworthy review the resume and personal statement for comments. Afterwards, continue revising again and again. This is the chance to show off your goals, experiences and abilities. The applicant who can relate these to how he or she can benefit from the program will have the advantage.