My biggest concern was securing recommendations from old college professors. Sure, there were a few whose classes I did well in. But I felt awkward asking these teachers, like I’d be imposing. The idea that you’re talking to them only because you need something also made me uncomfortable. It’s best to take a direct approach here— I e‑mailed each one, reminding them who I was and stating clearly what I needed. Believe it or not, you are likely not the first person to make such a request. They should be happy to help — assuming you’re talking to someone on whom you left a positive impression.
The applications themselves weren’t all that taxing — with one exception: the personal statement. An administrator at one college’s informational session said that most students don’t take the essay as seriously as those who hold their fate would like them to — a fact I sadly learned after my applications were completed and sent. It would have been nice to have known about that beforehand, so I could have put more of myself into it. As it was, I suspect my work came across a bit tossed-off.
With that in mind, I recommend considering the less obvious reasons you’re applying to a program. Be as specific and detailed as possible — instead of saying something like “I want to be a lawyer because I want to help people,” point to whatever inspired you to help others in the first place, like a time you felt justice wasn’t being served. It goes a long way in helping you stand out.
Getting going
The period between enrollment and the start of the semester was filled with reminders of the sudden transition I would have to make. After a few tries — our schedules didn’t match up too well, and one appointment I forgot about entirely — I met with my new advisor. But I didn’t figure out how to register until a few weeks before classes began, a situation that resulted in a panicked e-mail exchange between myself and my advisor. Then, when classes finally began, I learned that an assignment was due — which I would have found out about had I bothered to check the e-mail address the school had assigned me on their .edu domain. (Those e-mails are now being forwarded to my personal address.)
New students: do the opposite of this. Be as prepared as possible. Check the e-mail and online resources, and don’t be afraid to communicate with staff members frequently, even if you’re concerned about making a nuisance of yourself. That’s why they’re there.
Since starting classes, the challenges have centered around maintaining the level of discipline necessary to thrive as a graduate student. Whereas in the past I’ve viewed my free time as a blank canvas, to be filled with hours watching television, reading novels, playing video games, or whatever, I’ve had to curtail my social activities and train myself to start thinking of that as time to be spent researching and preparing for class — even if I don’t necessarily have a written assignment due. It’s been difficult to balance my priorities, but I’m starting to figure it out.
