I never imagined myself going to grad school to get a master’s degree. For the longest time, graduate school felt like something meant for people who had their entire futures planned out, the ones who always knew exactly what career they wanted and how to get there. But now that I’m about to enter my senior year of undergrad, I’ve realized that, for many students, grad school is less about having everything figured out and more about creating new opportunities to explore. What I didn’t expect, however, was how overwhelming the preparation process would feel — even before applications opened.
Over the past couple of months, I’ve spent my time preparing for the upcoming application cycle by networking with professionals in my desired field, scheduling informational interviews with faculty, researching the best grad school programs, and slowly organizing my application materials before the fall deadlines roll around. While every graduate program is different, I’ve learned that starting early can make the process feel significantly less intimidating. So, if you’re planning on applying to grad school this fall and don’t know where to start, here are some things you can do over the summer to get a head start.
1. Research Programs Early
It’s hard to be successful in your grad school applications if you don’t start with research. Taking the time to thoroughly look into specific programs within each university you’re interested in helps you understand which options best align with your career goals, interests, and overall expectations.
It’s also important to look beyond the rankings. While prestige can feel important, the specifics of a program matter much more in the long run. Look into specifics such as the program’s curriculum, assistantships offered, faculty, campus location, potential networking opportunities, the program culture, and funding options. Most universities provide a lot of this information directly on their websites, but I’ve also learned that connecting with faculty members, current students, and professionals connected to your top programs can give you a more honest and realistic understanding of what the experience actually looks like.
It’s also important to narrow down your search early. Applying to 20+ schools while still being intentional with each application can become overwhelming quickly. Doing your research now allows you to focus your energy on programs that genuinely fit your goals instead of panic-applying later.
2. Reach Out to Professionals and Current Students
This is the step I recommend the most — and it’s also probably the most daunting. Over the past two months, I’ve spent hours researching professionals to connect with, sending emails, and scheduling virtual meetings with staff and faculty members from the different universities I’m interested in. Surprisingly, nearly everyone I’ve reached out to has responded and been willing to help in some way. Even if someone couldn’t meet with me personally, they directed me toward someone else who could.
Networking can feel intimidating at first, and before I started, I constantly worried that I was bothering people or taking up too much of their time. However, one thing I quickly realized is that these professionals were once students too and are genuinely excited to see students interested in their programs.
That said, the way you approach these conversations also matters. You shouldn’t view networking as simply trying to “get ahead” or use people for connections. Instead, you should approach these conversations with genuine curiosity and the intention of building meaningful relationships you can build off of. The goal is to leave a memorable impression with your passion and willingness to learn.
Some questions I’ve personally used during networking meetings include asking what qualities stand out most in strong applicants and what opportunities are offered outside of the classroom. I also like to ask what advice they would give prospective students preparing their applications, what makes students successful in the program long-term, and what they wish more applicants knew before applying. These types of questions can not only help you learn more about the program itself but also show genuine interest and initiative during the conversation.
3. Utilize Organized Spreadsheets
Things become overwhelming very quickly when you try to keep everything organized only in your head. Whether you use Google Sheets, Excel, or Notion, creating some sort of organizational system is one of the most useful things you can do before application season begins.
Personally, I’ve begun organizing information such as specific application deadlines, required application materials, recommendation letter requirements, assistantship opportunities, tuition and funding information, faculty contacts, and meeting notes. Keeping all of this information in one place has helped to make the process feel much more manageable and has helped me stay on top of important details while preparing my applications.
If you’re like me and aren’t technologically advanced when it comes to spreadsheets, don’t worry! I created a grad school application spreadsheet template that you can copy and customize for your own search. Using a spreadsheet can help lay everything out visually, make the process feel significantly less chaotic, and help you avoid missing important deadlines and information later.
4. Prep Your Personal Statement Early
Based on conversations I’ve already had with admissions professionals, your personal statement is often considered one of the most important parts of your application. Your statement should go beyond just a summary of accomplishments. Depending on your specific program, it’s your opportunity to explain your story, your passions, and most importantly, your “why.” Why this field? Why this program? Why now?
I think that the hardest part about writing a personal statement is that it requires reflection, and reflection takes time. Starting early allows you to brainstorm ideas, revisit experiences that shaped you as a professional, and begin building a narrative that feels authentic and not rushed.
Even if you’re not ready to fully draft your personal statement yet, summer is the perfect time to brainstorm any experiences you may want to include, identify your long-term career goals, reflect on leadership experiences, and think about what makes your perspective unique. Taking the time to think through these ideas early can help make the daunting task of writing your statement feel much less overwhelming once application season finally begins. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
5. Update Your Resume/CV and LinkedIn
Even if you already think your resume, CV, and LinkedIn profile are polished, there’s a good chance you’ve gained new experiences, leadership positions, or accomplishments over the past year that deserve to be highlighted. Something I’ve learned throughout the start of this process is that graduate school applications aren’t just about what you’ve done, but also about how your experience connects to your future goals. Updating your materials early can give you time to think intentionally about how you present yourself professionally, rather than rushing to throw everything together later.
6. Research Funding & Assistantships
Let’s be honest: Graduate school is expensive, which is why researching funding opportunities now is incredibly important. Before starting this process, I didn’t fully realize how many graduate programs that I’m interested in offer assistantships, tuition waivers, stipends, fellowships, and other funding opportunities. Plus, many of these options can not only help cover costs, but also provide professional experience that can directly benefit your future career right after grad school.
Learning about funding early can also help narrow down your school choices. A program may sound amazing academically, but financial support and overall cost can completely shape whether attending is actually realistic. Also, don’t be afraid to ask current or past students questions about funding during informational meetings. Sometimes, the most valuable information comes from honest conversations rather than university websites.
7. Accept That Nobody Feels Fully Prepared
One of the most important things I’ve realized throughout this process is that you will never feel completely prepared. Any application process is stressful, especially if it’s for something you really want. No matter how organized you are, there will still be moments when you feel behind, overwhelmed, and convinced that everyone else has everything figured out except you.
Preparing early doesn’t mean you’ll become the “perfect” applicant overnight. It simply means you’re giving yourself enough time to feel confident, informed, and intentional before applications open and interviews start. Even small steps this summer — whether it’s sending one email, researching one program, or starting a spreadsheet to track your progress — can make the process feel slightly less overwhelming later.