How to Get Into Law School: A Step-by-Step Guide for Applicants
Quick answer: To get into law school, you need an LSAT score and undergraduate GPA at or above your target schools’ medians, a personal statement that explains why you want to practice law, two or three recommendations from people who know your work, and an application submitted early in the cycle, ideally between September and […]
How Many Grad Schools Should I Apply To?
Quick answer: How many grad schools should you apply to? Most applicants should apply to 4 to 8. Master’s applicants can usually stay at 4 to 6, while PhD applicants need 8 to 12 because doctoral admit rates are low and faculty fit narrows the field. Size your list by selectivity, fit, and how many […]
Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School: How to Ask
Quick answer: A letter of recommendation for graduate school is a written endorsement from a professor or supervisor who knows your work well. Most programs require three. Ask recommenders who can describe your academic or research ability in detail, give them six to eight weeks, and send each one your CV, statement, and deadline list. […]
PhD vs Master’s: How to Choose the Right Graduate Degree
PhD vs master’s? A clear breakdown of the real differences in time, research, and career payoff so you can pick the right degree.
How to Write a Personal Statement for Grad School
Quick answer: To write a personal statement for grad school, open with a specific experience that explains why you are pursuing the field, develop two or three pieces of evidence, and close by connecting your goals to the program’s faculty and resources. Most programs expect 500 to 1,000 words, but each program’s stated limit always […]
Feeder Colleges: A Guide to Academic and Career Outcomes
Quick answer: Feeder colleges differ by pathway. Law schools, medical schools, MBA programs, and employers in finance and technology each draw from different sets of undergraduate institutions, shaped by curriculum, location, recruiting networks, and advising. Choose a college with your intended pathway in mind, and remember that graduate programs evaluate what you did there, not […]
A Sneak Peek at Columbia University’s Political Science Program
Quick answer: Columbia political science includes an undergraduate major and concentration, joint majors with economics and statistics, and a one-year M.A. that provides advanced training in research methods. Students can attend the World Leaders Forum, and high schoolers aiming for the field should pursue civic internships, interdisciplinary projects, and selective summer programs. My Path Through […]
GMAT vs. GRE: Which Graduate Admissions Test Is Right For You?
Quick answer: GMAT vs GRE comes down to where you will score higher. Most business schools accept both. The GMAT Focus Edition is built for business school and tests Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights, while the GRE is accepted across many graduate programs and adds an essay. Take an official practice test of each and […]