How to Apply to Graduate School

Grad school comes after you've completed a college or university program, and want to take your education further.

Graduate school is a way to take your education further once you've completed a college or university program. If you've got a post-secondary diploma, or more commonly, a bachelor's degree, and you want to pursue higher-level studies, grad school might be for you.

What is graduate school, exactly?

Broadly speaking, graduate school is further education for people who have graduated from university. Some professions, like law, require grad school, but some students pursue advanced degrees to earn more money, build their networks, or simply for the love of learning.

Grad school comes in several flavours. From least intensive to most intensive, roughly:

• Post-graduate diploma: Usually takes a year or less, and focuses on a specific topic. Not much focus on original research
• Master's: There are two kinds, "thesis-based" and "course-based" — more on this below. You might earn an MA, MSc, MEd, etc, depending on your program. May have a focus on original research
• Professional: Specific training for fields like law, medicine, and engineering. Focused on practical, real-world training
• Doctoral / PhD: Usually taken after a Master's. Heavy focus on original research
• Post-doc: Taken after completing a PhD. Focus on research and practice; outside the scope of this article!

For our purposes, we'll focus mostly on professional and Master's studies.

Thesis-based Master's vs Course-based Master's programs

Some Master's programs come in two variants: Thesis-based and Course-based. While the material covered may be similar, the way you tackle it will differ. Let's look at thesis- and course-based Master's programs.

(Be aware that these names can vary! You might see a "thesis-based" program called "research-based" or "by research," while the UK seems to prefer "taught" instead of "course-based," but the approaches are the same!)

What is a thesis-based Master's program?

A thesis-based (or "research-based") Master's program asks you to pursue original, independent research, working with a faculty supervisor to help direct you. Your supervisor will have similar research interests, and will help guide you towards writing and defending a thesis at the end of the program.

What is a thesis? It's a "substantial research document" that contributes to your field in some way. Expect to write anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 words for your thesis.

Your thesis must be "defended" before an examination committee of experts who will ask you questions about your work, and expect you to be able to answer them cogently. By the time your thesis is written, you'll be an expert too. Most thesis-based Master's programs take one or two years to complete, and may be slightly longer than a comparable course-based program.

If you're thinking about doctoral studies after your Master's, you should probably choose a thesis-based program if possible.

Finding a graduate supervisor

Depending on your school and program, you may have to find a supervisor before you apply for graduate school. In other cases, you might be assigned a supervisor when you're admitted to the program. If you have to find your own supervisor, here's a bit of advice:

• Check out department websites and read up on current research
• Chat with former students who have worked with your potential supervisors
• Reach potential supervisors with polite, well-considered questions about their work and your research interests

What is a course-based Master's program?

A course-based (or "taught") Master's program is more like an undergraduate program: you take a series of courses, and may also tackle projects, like a research assignment or group project. You won't have to produce a thesis, though, and you won't have a faculty supervisor. You'll take classes and complete assignments, just as you did in your undergrad.

During the program, you'll take several courses each term, and may have some flexibility on elective courses, depending on your program. You can expect to finish a course-based Master's program in one or two years.

What is a "professional" degree, and how does it differ from a Master's?

Lots of fields offer Master's level programs, but only a few fields offer "professional" degrees, like:

• Law
• Medicine, veterinary, dental
• Business
• Architecture
• Engineering

A professional degree is meant to prepare graduates for licensing in a particular field, with course structures focused on practical, real-world experience, and an eye towards eventual certification in your field of interest. These degrees tend to represent the highest level of training required to practice. (Some professionals may go on to doctoral studies, as well.)

After completing a professional degree, you may have to complete additional certifications for provincial or federal regulatory boards — passing the bar exam as a lawyer, for example.

Whether a professional degree is right for you depends on your career goals!

Earnings and expenses for graduate students

One of the main reasons students go to grad school, outside of increasing their knowledge and employability, is to earn more money. Of course, you'll spend more to get the education, with the expectation that your investment will pay off later. Let's take a quick look at the earnings of people with advanced degrees, as well as some of the usual costs you can expect to pay.

How much do grad school grads earn?

Statistics Canada shows that, broadly, the more highly educated you are, the more you'll earn in compensation. Let's look at a few top-level stats using data from the 2021 census, released in late 2023, using Canadian dollars:

Your specific field will have an impact on your earnings, but as you can see, holders of professional degrees, Master's degrees, and doctorates tend to earn more money than those without.

How much does grad school usually cost?

The cost of grad school can vary quite a bit depending where and what you want to study. Professional programs, like medicine and engineering, may charge more than standard Master's programs. You'll find info on costs on school websites, and sites like SchoolFinder and StudyinCanada.

Statistics Canada has useful info showing the average cost of graduate school by field of study. Business and dentistry top the list, with engineering and computer science following behind.

• Read more on costs for Canadian students here
• Read more on costs for international students here

Canadian schools might have higher tuition costs for international students, while schools outside Canada may charge an international student premium to Canadian students.

How do I apply for graduate school?

Grad school typically requires you to have a completed bachelor's degree, or at least be close to finishing, when you apply. After your undergrad, a Master's is the most common step, though in some cases you may be able to jump straight to a PhD.

The requirements and timelines will vary depending on your school, program, and student status (are you domestic or international, full-time or part-time, etc.), so take the info below as a general outline.

Standard grad school application requirements

Most programs will require some mix of the following:

• Application fee: Most schools will charge a small, non-refundable application fee
• Transcripts: Official records of your performance in any post-secondary programs you've taken, especially your undergrad!
• Letters of recommendation / reference letters: You'll want 2 or 3 letters of reference from professors, bosses, or other professionals who can attest to your skills and experience
• Your resumé / CV: Standard document laying out your work history, education, accolades, volunteerism, extra-curriculars, etc.
• Portfolio: Usually reserved for programs like fine arts or architecture; a portfolio is a collection of creative work you've prepared.
• Personal statement / essay: Many school admins want to hear from you directly about your interests and experience. Pay close attention to the school's expectations for your essay. (When in doubt, here's some personal statement advice for you)
• Standardized tests: Some programs require additional test scores — popular ones include the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, and more. We've got a whole article on grad school admission tests to help you!

Standard grad school application timeline

So, you're thinking about applying for a Master's. When should you get started?

• 18 months before the program starts: Research, research, research! Look at schools and programs, explore faculty supervisors, chat with current and former students. Start looking at any standardized test(s) your program may require.
• 12 months before the program starts: Write any standardized tests you need. Take a campus tour, and start corresponding with faculty who might align with your interests.
• 10 months before the program starts: Application time! Gather your materials, like reference letters and transcripts, and start your applications (usually online). For programs starting in September, you may need to have your application submitted by November or December, so don't wait! (Yes, closing dates can vary by school and program!)
• 6 months before the program starts: Expect to hear back about admissions around March for a September start. If you get an admissions offer you like, be sure to accept it before the deadline (which often comes in April). You can also start looking into financial aid, scholarships, and teaching assistant positions to help you fund your studies.
• 3 months before the program starts: Keep an eye open for communications from your school about course registrations, orientation, faculty meet 'n' greets, and so on. Your program starts soon, so learn as much as you can before it begins!

So, is graduate school right for me?

Only you can decide if pursuing graduate education is the right move for you. Yes, grad school grads tend to earn more money over the course of their careers, but they typically have higher-stress professional responsibilities, too! A great career doesn't require an advanced degree, but an advanced degree can help you land a great career.

Best of luck in your studies if you decide grad school is the right fit for you!