Application Materials

There are several different aspects of your graduate or professional school application to complete before the final product can be submitted for consideration. The Career Development Center (CDC) can help you learn about the different components needed when applying to graduate or professional school.

Exams

Based on what area of study you’d like to pursue, most graduate and professional schools require that you take certain tests then submit your scores for admission. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General and Subject tests are required by many academic programs (master's and doctoral degrees), and other more specific tests are required by certain programs.

  • MBA programs require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
  • LSAT is required for law school
  • MCAT is required for medical school
  • DAT is required for dentistry school
  • OAT is required for optometry school
  • TOEFL English proficiency test is required for international students

Resources for Admission Tests

Personal Statement or Essay

Another aspect of your grad school application is the personal statement or essay. Before you begin, download the Personal Essay tipsheet (PDF) for information on what to include in your statement, how to highlight your achievements, and more.

Letters of Recommendation

Although grades and test scores factor most heavily into your admission decision, your letters of recommendation could be the deciding factor in whether or not you get accepted to your program of choice.

The best letter writers are those who know you well and can provide a thorough evaluation of your ability to perform and succeed at the graduate level. If you can, try to acquire letters from faculty and supervisors of your internships or jobs, preferably those related to your field of study.

WPI Pre-Professional Programs