Application Basics
Find resources to help you with application essays, reference letters, transcripts
, and interviewing for Graduate or Professional school.
Application Essays
Graduate and professional schools typically require application essays as part of the admission process. The tools below can help you write your essays.
Download a Guide |
Professional School Personal Statement 
Statement of Intent: Academic Master’s & Ph.D. Programs |
Read Guide Books |
General: |
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Graduate Admissions Essays |
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Get Into Graduate School |
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How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate & Professional School |
Health and Medicine: |
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Get Into Medical School |
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Medical School Admissions: The Insider’s Guide |
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Medical School Essays that Made a Difference |
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Write for Success (Health Professions and Medicine) |
Law and Business: |
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Business School Essays that Made a Difference |
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How to Get Into the Top Law Schools |
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Get Into Law School |
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Law School Essays that Made a Difference |
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The Ultimate Guide to Law School Admission |
Psychology and Mental Health: |
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The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission: Psychology, Counseling and Related Professions |
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Getting In: A Step-By-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology |
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Get Your Essay Critiqued |
Drop off a typed, double spaced draft of your essay in the Career Services Center for a critique. Or mail it in with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return to:
UCSD Career Services Center
Essay Critique Service
9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0331
La Jolla, CA 92093-0331
Include your name, PID, email address, phone number and the essay prompt, and your critiqued essay will be ready after seven working days. |
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Interviewing (back)
Interviews are common for medical, health, professional psychology, and some business programs. Other graduate schools may occasionally require one. If you’re invited to interview, follow these simple steps to prepare. (Many of these resources are health related, but you can adapt them for any type of interview).
Understand the Process |
Learn what to expect and how to prepare for an admissions interview with The Professional School Interview handout. |
Read W.S.D.M. |
Read the Applications Basic Section of Write Speak Do Meet – A Career Communication Guide. |
Attend an Interview Interactive
Workshop
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Workshops offered in the Fall and Winter quarters teach you to make the most of your interview and let you get interview practice and feedback. Check our calendar for dates and times. |
Prepare |
Use the Interview Preparation Checklist to find resources, links and tips to prepare for your interviews. |
Anticipate the Questions and Learn
What to Expect |
How you would answer potential interview questions? Find sample questions in our handout , on our list of Commonly Asked Questions , and in the Professional and Graduate School Library.
Visit www.studentdoctor.net to read other students' experience with their own recent interviews at specific schools of medicine (M.D. and D.O.), dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, veterinary medicine, audiology and psychology (PsyD and PhD) |
Practice |
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Get on-camera interview practice with our online, webcam-based InterviewStream tool. If you don't have a webcam, you can practice interviewing in the Career Services Center during Express Advising hours Monday - Thursday 1:30 - 4:00 pm.
Practice answering questions out loud with friends and family to get comfortable talking about yourself and your accomplishments. |
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