By Wendy Wu

Applying to graduate school can be daunting, but the process is not as scary as it seems! Looking back at my experience as a prospective student just last year and my time in the Admission Office helping this year’s prospective students navigate the application process, I realized that with careful planning and organization, you can develop a sense of clarity and confidence. Here are some of my takeaways for anyone interested in pursuing graduate studies at TC!

Start Researching Programs Ahead of Time

At TC, we have 150+ programs across three pillars: Education, Psychology, and Health. In my opinion, one thing that sets TC apart from other graduate schools is how specific the focuses of our programs are. For example, if you’re interested in becoming a counselor, we have programs ranging from K-12, college, mental health, and spirituality. Some of these programs lead to different types of licensure and career outcomes, so make sure you have a clear understanding of the curriculum before applying! I recommend checking out our Programs Search page and taking the time to read and compare the programs you may be interested in before deciding which one is most suitable for your academic and professional goals.

Pay Close Attention to Program Deadlines and Requirements

Depending on the program and degree, there can be varying deadlines by which applicants must have all their application materials in! Some programs have one strict deadline, while others can have a priority, final, and/or rolling deadline. If possible, I always recommend applying before the priority deadline to have the best chances for admission, scholarships, and housing options. During my graduate school application process, I kept an organized spreadsheet of each school I was applying to, the specific program I was interested in, the full list of application materials, and the deadlines for submission. If you are unsure about a specific deadline or application material, feel free to reach out to the admission inbox for your department, and we will be happy to assist!

Spend Extra Time Crafting Your Statement of Purpose

I think the most important (and most stressful) part of the application was figuring out how to present myself in the statement of purpose. For prospective students who are unsure of what to write, we always share with them the “Three Whys,” which are: 

• Why You — What makes you stand out as an applicant?
• Why TC — Why is TC a good fit for your goals?
• Why Now — Why do you think graduate school is the next step of your academic/professional journey?

Always proofread your statement before submitting it, and I encourage you to have someone else (like a friend or supervisor) read your statement if possible!

Don’t Be Afraid to Reach Out with Questions!

As always, the admission team is happy to help you with any questions or concerns that may come up during the application process. We have a variety of different events for prospective students every semester to learn more about the programs we offer, how to get started with the application, financial aid, and more. For more information about these events, please visit our Events page. If you would like to get in touch with a member of our team, feel free to email us at admission@tc.columbia.edu.

I hope you find Teachers College to be your next home, just as I have!