Key Takeaways
- Graduate school applicants should begin preparing several months before their preferred start date to allow time to research programs and gather required materials.
- Walden’s Build Your Education Plan (BYEP) tool can help prospective students compare program options and create an individualized education plan.
- Application requirements vary by program, so prospective students should confirm which transcripts and other supporting materials they need to submit.
- Walden can evaluate previously earned credits to determine whether they may apply toward a graduate program.
- Enrollment Specialists can answer questions about programs, admission requirements, financial assistance, transfer credits, and the application process.
Preparing to apply to graduate school involves choosing the right program, gathering required documents, completing your application, and understanding what comes next. At Walden, you can complete your application online and work with an Enrollment Specialist throughout the admission process. Here’s what to know before, during, and after you apply, including how to prepare a goal statement, explore transfer credits, and get answers to your application questions.
When Should I Start Preparing My Graduate School Application?
Begin preparing your graduate school application several months before your preferred start date. Starting early gives you time to research programs, gather transcripts and other required documents, prepare your goal statement if one is required, and address unexpected delays.
For example, transcripts from a previous institution may take time to arrive. Walden offers upcoming start dates to choose from, so talk with an Enrollment Specialist about your preferred start date and the application requirements for your program.
How Do I Choose the Right Program to Apply To?
Choosing the right graduate program starts with understanding your professional goals and how a particular degree could help you work toward them. Consider the type of degree, area of study, program requirements, and any available paths or specializations as you narrow your options.
Walden’s BYEP tool can help. Using a three-minute assessment, the tool builds an individualized education plan. Your personalized plan can help you:
- Narrow down your degree options.
- Find the program best suited to your individual needs and professional goals.
- Explore financial aid eligibility and options.
- Learn about transferring previously earned credits.
- Understand the application process.
You also can speak with an Enrollment Specialist for recommendations and ask questions about available programs, paths, and specializations.
How Do I Start My Walden Application?
Start your Walden application by creating an account and completing the online application. You can save your progress and return to your application if you need more time to complete it.
As part of the application process, be prepared to provide the following:
- Program of interest: Talk with an Enrollment Specialist if you have questions about which program or specialization to choose.
- Preferred start date: Select from Walden’s available upcoming start dates.
- Academic history: Provide information about previously attended institutions, including your area of study and graduation date.
- Employment history: Include relevant professional and military experience.
- Supporting materials: Be prepared to submit any additional materials required for your program.
Your Enrollment Specialist can help you understand your program’s requirements and guide you through the admission process.
What Documents Do I Need for My Graduate School Application?
The documents required for a Walden graduate school application vary by program. Gathering the materials required for your program in advance can help you prepare to complete your application.
Depending on your program, you may need:
- Transcripts: You can submit an unofficial or official transcript from the institution where you earned your highest level of education. Official transcripts are required within 30 days of admission.
- Resume: Some programs may ask for a resume detailing your academic, professional, military, and other relevant experience.
- Goal statement: If your program requires a goal statement, use it to explain the professional goal you hope to work toward with your graduate degree.
Check the admission requirements for your specific program or ask an Enrollment Specialist which documents you will need to submit.
What Should I Include in My Goal Statement?
If your graduate program requires a goal statement, use it to clearly communicate the professional goal you hope to work toward with your degree. Take time to make your statement clear, focused, and free of grammatical errors.
Before submitting your goal statement, review and revise it carefully. You also may want to ask a trusted colleague or mentor to read it and provide feedback.
How Do Transfer Credits Work at Walden?
Walden evaluates previously earned credits to determine whether they can be applied toward your graduate program. You can submit unofficial transcripts for a preliminary evaluation while your official transcripts are in transit.
The transfer-of-credit evaluation process typically includes these steps:
- You submit your transcripts for evaluation.
- Walden evaluates your previous coursework based on your intended program of study.
- You receive an evaluation showing the number of credits that may transfer and how they may affect your estimated tuition and degree-completion time frame.
- You review the results with your Enrollment Specialist and discuss your plan of study.
Military experience, prior learning, and certain professional certifications may also be considered for credit, depending on the program and Walden’s evaluation requirements.
What Happens After I Am Accepted?
After you accept an offer of admission, Walden will provide information about the next steps for beginning your graduate program. These may include applying for financial aid if you have not already done so, setting up your student account, and enrolling in courses for your first term.
Your Enrollment Specialist also can help you understand what comes next and prepare for the start of your program.
What Questions Should I Ask My Enrollment Specialist?
Throughout the application process, your Enrollment Specialist can answer questions about your program, admission requirements, financial aid, and transfer credits, and inform you of what to expect as an online student. Consider asking your Enrollment Specialist the following questions:
- What is the total cost of my program, and what does that include?
- How long could my program take to complete, and are full-time and part-time options available?
- Is my program accredited?
- What paths or specializations are available?
- How does financial aid work?
- How might my previously earned credits apply to my program?
- What is online learning like at Walden, and how do students stay connected with faculty and classmates?
- Does my program include orientation, residencies, internships, or other requirements I should prepare for?
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Preparing for graduate school can take time, but each step brings you closer to beginning your program. By researching your options, gathering the required materials, and asking questions throughout the admission process, you can approach your application knowing what to expect.
For more than 50 years, Walden has helped working professionals pursue their education through distance learning. With a focus on applying knowledge to real-world challenges and creating positive social change, Walden offers graduate degree programs for professionals ready to continue their education.
Explore Walden’s graduate degree programs to find an option that aligns with your goals, or connect with an Enrollment Specialist to learn more about the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should someone start preparing a graduate school application?
Applicants should begin preparing several months before their preferred start date. Starting early provides time to research programs, gather transcripts and other required materials, prepare a goal statement if required, and address unexpected delays.
What documents are needed to apply to graduate school at Walden?
Application requirements vary by program. Applicants may need to provide transcripts and additional materials such as a resume or goal statement. An Enrollment Specialist can help applicants determine the requirements for their specific program.
Can unofficial transcripts be used when applying to Walden?
Yes. Applicants can use unofficial transcripts during the application and admission process if they include the required information. Official transcripts are required within 30 days of admission.
Can graduate students transfer credits to Walden?
Previously earned graduate-level credits may be eligible for transfer if they meet Walden’s requirements and apply to the intended program of study. Walden evaluates prior coursework to determine how many credits may transfer.
How can an Enrollment Specialist help during the application process?
An Enrollment Specialist can answer program-specific questions, explain application requirements, help applicants explore financial aid eligibility and options and potential transfer credits, and guide them through the admission process.
Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering online certificate programs and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.