{"id":1154,"date":"2023-11-09T18:17:16","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T18:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mitcommlab.mit.edu\/aeroastro\/?p=1154"},"modified":"2026-07-31T15:47:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T15:47:09","slug":"applying-to-grad-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mitcommlab.mit.edu\/aeroastro\/2023\/11\/09\/applying-to-grad-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Applying to Grad School"},"content":{"rendered":"

Applying for graduate programs can be a daunting task, especially given the variance in what each program requires its applicants to submit. This blog post seeks to guide you through the application process by providing a step-by-step list that summarizes the main components common to most applications.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Find programs you\u2019re interested in<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you can begin the application process, it is important to do some research into programs that will fit your individual interests and needs. Special attention should be paid to the pool of possible principal investigators (PIs) you would be interested in working with at any given school. PIs will typically be professors, but they may also be researchers who work at a university but do not have the same teaching or administrative responsibilities. In most cases, the research focus of a PI\u2019s lab is the main decision factor for the application process. If you have an appropriate opportunity to meet with a PI or one of their students, the PI\u2019s advising style, the lab culture, and expected time to graduate are also important considerations (note that all of these factors should be determined if you are accepted and considering where you\u2019d like to go). If possible, it\u2019s best to find schools that have several PIs you would be interested in working with. This allows for the opportunity to switch labs if the first lab you\u2019re in isn\u2019t the right fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, it\u2019s important to check department-specific factors. The requirements of graduate programs can vary by department, even within the same university, so it\u2019s important to check the degree requirements and structure (e.g., do you need a masters before starting the PhD, or is there a program that goes directly from Bachelors to PhD?). Special attention should be paid to departmental TA requirements and the structure of the qualification exam, which is typically administered two years into a program to determine a student\u2019s knowledge of a field and whether they will become a good PhD candidate. The qualification exam can be a major source of stress if it is particularly difficult, so it may be a factor to consider when applying to different departments. If they\u2019re available, trends such as where most of their graduates end up (e.g., industry, academia, startups), completion rate, and department demographics (for both students and faculty) are also important things to check to make sure the department will meet your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Review the Application Requirements<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once you have found a set of programs that you want to apply to, the first step is to review what each application actually requires you to do. If you are applying to multiple programs, you can quickly get overwhelmed by each department\u2019s numerous application specifics \u2013 thus, it is strongly recommended you create a \u201cmaster spreadsheet\u201d with all programs, deadlines, and requirements to track progress.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most applications will require you to submit information about your academic record, some sort of application essay, a resume or CV, and multiple letters of recommendation. Some schools require a GRE test (either the general or a subject test), though this has become less prevalent post-COVID. If a school requires a GRE, it\u2019s best to start preparing early to give yourself time to study its material and take it more than once if necessary. Most programs also have an application fee, however, they typically have processes to waive it if it\u2019s an undue financial burden or if you can show you applied for funding sources such as the NSF GRFP (which we discuss later).<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Compile application materials<\/span><\/h2>\n

Using the spreadsheet created in the previous section, it is now time to start working on your applications. There is no one correct way to do this, but here are some miscellaneous tips to keep in mind throughout the process:<\/span><\/p>\n

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Recommendation Letters:<\/b><\/h3>\n