How to Prepare for Grad School as an Undergrad

Adapted from: What Can You Do with a Major in English?

Preparing for graduate school begins while you're an undergrad. One of the criteria used to decide on your admission to graduate school is undergraduate coursework. For that reason, it's important that you plan your coursework before you apply to graduate school so that you have the best chance of getting into the school you want.

Consider these suggestions:

  • Take challenging coursework. If possible, take more than the required number of courses.
  • If possible, do a research project or have some published examples of your work.
  • If know what you want to specialize in, get a solid foundation in that area. For example, if you want to focus on British literature, take as many classes (and related courses, such as British history) as you can.
  • If you have a good idea of where you want to pursue your graduate degree, look up the requirements while you are still pursuing your undergraduate degree. Then plan your coursework so that it best illustrates how you have met the requirements of that school.

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