No school? Don’t worry

It may come as a shock to some of you, but if you were planning on applying to graduate programs for the upcoming fall, you may have missed the boat.

     The majority of graduate programs require that undergraduate applications are received between mid-December to early January, with some still allowing entry through February and into March. 

     And with growing application numbers – the number of granted master’s degrees is expected to increase by 35 percent from 2004 to 2016 – a late submission may immediately count you out as competition. 

     So, if you’re like me and your plan was to go to get an advanced degree this fall, you’re probably wondering: Well, now what?

     Don’t panic. There are different variables to consider in your application process.

     While students who submit their application after a college or university’s deadline aren’t necessarily immediately disregarded, admission officers are more likely to scrutinize late submissions. 

     But, there are a few things to consider in this process: Is the school you’re applying to regard their deadline as a complete application deadline? Meaning your application must include GRE scores, letters of recommendation and personal essays. 

     If not, you may have time to get your portfolio together after you’ve submitted your undergraduate transcript.

     Also, missing a deadline doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t still apply. 

     Call the admission office of the school you’re interested in to inquire about rolling admission – applying in the time after the deadline for consideration.

     But if these suggestions are coming too late, and you’re facing the reality that you may have to wait a year before going to grad school, don’t despair. There are lots of ways to bolster your résumé and continue your education in the meantime. 

     Signing up for individual classes at a community college or attending university courses in your field of study can demonstrate to graduate schools that you’re committed to your major interests. 

     You can also boost your personal education by putting yourself in positions that would allot for professional growth. 

     For example, someone interested in public health could volunteer as a member of service corps operations in third world countries.  

     And since undergrads only make up a small margin – 10-30 percent – of those accepted to entering classes of graduate programs, adding real life experience to your résumé can help you stand out from the pack. 

     Furthermore, taking a year to work as a service member, or even filling an entry-level position can provide invaluable information about your field. 

     All too often, undergrads find themselves choosing a major and sticking to it for four years, never knowing if the elements of this major translate to a job they would be interested in. 

     Taking some time to explore the practicality of your field of study could alter your perceptions in both a positive and negative manner.

     Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to never let deadlines, inexperience or other adversities get in the way of your pursuits of knowledge or your desire to learn. Even if it’s a long shot, go for it. 

     Your persistence may be the one thing that sets you apart from the typical grad school applicant. t&c

Cole Hague is a senior broadcasting major and staff writer for the t&c.