How Many Graduate (Master’s or Ph.D. Programs) Should I Apply to?
Two common questions we hear from aspiring graduate students are 1) Should I apply to multiple graduate programs? and 2) How many master’s or Ph.D. programs should I apply to?
While there’s no magical one-size-fits-all answer, we can share with you the things you need to consider when deciding how many graduate programs you should apply to.
The Importance of Applying to Multiple Graduate Programs
The short answer to the question: “should I apply to multiple graduate programs” is yes. But, you might be thinking, I know exactly which program I want to go to, why should I apply to more than one school? There are several important reasons to apply to multiple master’s or Ph.D. programs, even if you have your heart set on a specific program.
Increased Chance of Acceptance into Grad School
The word, competitive, doesn’t begin to describe the current admissions situation in the United States. Top programs often receive hundreds or even thousands of applications for fewer spots than ever before. By applying to multiple graduate programs, you’re increasing your likelihood of receiving an acceptance letter. According to data from the Council of Graduate Schools, acceptance rates for master’s programs in the United States hover around 25%, making it crucial to hedge your bets. This is even more important if you are considering how many Ph.D. programs to apply to as they are significantly more competitive [in most fields].
Exploring Graduate Program Fit
Every graduate program works to present itself well to prospective master’s and Ph.D. students, with professionally developed webpages and meticulous copyediting. Graduate program webpages are really just marketing materials. As such, it can be difficult to get an accurate assessment of the cultural fit and opportunities within each program. Plus, they certainly aren’t going to advertise their weaknesses.
If you don’t apply to multiple graduate programs, you may find during the interview that the graduate program seems like a good fit, isn’t, and you’ll be waiting for another application cycle to apply to other graduate programs.
“I’ll never forget interviewing at an Ivy League school only to find the entire experience disorganized and unpleasant, the faculty were distracted and unengaged. No faculty members from the part of the program I was applying to were available and those I interviewed with couldn’t answer my questions. Literally, no one from that part of the program was available to talk to and there was no recourse to meet later.
–Dr. Cristie Glasheen
It turned out that the focus of the program had changed over the last couple years, but none of the information on the program webpages had been updated. Moreover, because the research to publication pipeline is so long, the change in focus wasn’t apparent from the faculty research articles I’d read. It turned out that what looked like a great Ph.D. program on paper wasn’t a good fit.”
More Grad School Financial Aid Opportunities
Another important reason to apply to multiple master’s degree or Ph.D. programs is that you are unlikely to know what financial aid package you’ll be offered until after acceptance. By applying to multiple graduate programs, you’ll increase the opportunity for better financial aid (e.g., is your top choice graduate program worth paying twice as much for? Or, does your second choice with a better aid package make more sense). Moreover, by applying to more than one graduate program, you can potentially bargain for better financial aid (especially for master’s programs).
These are three very important reasons to apply to multiple master’s or Ph.D. programs. Cast a wide net, explore your options, and increase your chances of getting into grad school and getting funded.
Factors to Consider When Deciding How Many Master’s or Ph.D. Programs You Should Apply to
When deciding how many graduate programs you should apply to, it’s important to consider a variety of personal and practical factors. That’s why we can’t offer a one-size-fits-all answer. However, there are three main considerations:
Time and Effort of Applying to Graduate Programs
Applying to graduate programs is a time-consuming process that usually involves writing and tailoring essays, securing letters of recommendation, requesting transcripts, and preparing for and taking standardized tests. It’s reasonable to consider the practical constraints of how much time and effort you can realistically dedicate to each application.
Graduate Program Application Costs
Applying to multiple master’s or Ph.D. programs can be expensive, with application fees ranging from $50 to $150 or more per graduate program. In addition to application fees, you may also incur costs for standardized tests, transcript requests, and travel for interviews. It’s important to carefully consider your financial resources before deciding how many programs to apply to.
Pro-tip, if you’re struggling to pay the costs of applying to graduate school be sure to look into fee waivers for grad school applications and needs-based fee reductions or waivers for standardized testing.
Quality Over Quantity [especially when applying to Ph.D. programs]
While applying to multiple graduate programs can increase your chances of acceptance, it’s important to prioritize quality over quantity, especially when applying to Ph.D. programs. Submitting a large number of mediocre applications is unlikely to yield better results than submitting a smaller number of high-quality graduate program applications.
Focus on identifying the master’s or Ph.D. programs that are a good fit for your academic and career goals and put effort into crafting tailored applications for each program. Remember, it’s better to submit fewer applications that showcase your strengths and passion than to submit a bunch of generic and uninspired applications.
Determining How Many Graduate Programs You Should Apply to
Striking the Right Balance
With all of these different considerations, it’s important to strike the right balance of competitive applications vs. the cost, time, and effort when deciding how many master’s or Ph.D. programs to apply to.
The Safe, Reach, and Match Strategy
One common approach to deciding how many programs to apply to is to categorize your potential master’s or Ph.D. programs into three categories: safe, reach, and match. Safe graduate programs are where your academic credentials exceed the average admitted grad student. Reach graduate programs are those where your credentials are below the average admitted grad student but still within the range. Match graduate programs are where your credentials align closely with the average admitted graduate student. By applying to a mix of safe, reach, and match master’s or Ph.D. programs, you can bolster your chances of success.
How Many Master’s Degree Programs Should I Apply to
While there’s no magic number for applying to master’s programs, many experts and advisors recommend applying to between five to ten programs. This range allows you to cast a wide enough net to increase your chances of graduate school acceptance while ensuring that you can dedicate enough time and effort to each master’s degree program application. However, the ideal number of applications can vary based on the competitiveness of the programs in your field and your academic qualifications.
How Many Ph.D. Programs Should I Apply to
Ph.D. programs are more competitive than master’s programs, so it would be natural to conclude that you should apply to more programs. However, this is not often the case. While professional degrees (e.g., JD, PsyD, DPT) may align with the guidance of applying to five to ten programs, research-based Ph.D. programs usually require an alignment of student research interests with ongoing faculty research. This means there are likely to be fewer research-based Ph.D. programs that align well with your career goals. Ideally, you should aim to apply to around four to six Ph.D. programs, as long as they are a good fit for your research interests.
Further, keep in mind that because of the need for research alignment, tailoring your application materials for Ph.D. programs is even more essential. This will increase the associated effort and time investment in applying. Therefore, when deciding how many Ph.D. programs to apply to, assessing program fit should be the main determining factor, followed by the probability of acceptance.
In conclusion, determining how many master’s or Ph.D. programs you should apply to requires careful consideration of your academic and career goals, as well as your circumstances. By following these guidelines and tailoring your approach to your situation, you can create a strategic application strategy that maximizes your chances of acceptance.
Practical Tips for Managing Multiple Grad. School Applications
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Staying Sane Through the Application Process
Managing multiple graduate program applications can be overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can stay organized and maintain your sanity. Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the application process:
Organize Master’s and Ph.D. Program Application Materials
Keep track of all your application materials by creating a spreadsheet or using application management tools. Include program deadlines, requirements, and any other relevant information. A checklist of common application components, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, can help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t overlook any important details when applying to your master’s or Ph.D. programs.
Time Management Techniques
Balancing application tasks with other responsibilities can be challenging. It’s all too common that students prioritize immediate deadlines over those that seem far away. However, last-minute applications are usually of poorer quality and less likely to be accepted. Set aside a specific daily or weekly goal of time put into completing application components. Just 15 minutes a day adds up! Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, and set deadlines for each part of the application process. This can help you stay focused and prevent procrastination.
Seeking Support and Resources
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it. Seek advice from mentors, advisors, and peers who have gone through the grad. school application process before. They can offer valuable insights and guidance on applying to Ph.D. or master’s degree programs. Additionally, take advantage of resources such as writing centers, online forums (like the one here on My.GradStudentSuccess, register for free), and professional organizations. These resources can provide invaluable information and support as you navigate the graduate school application process.
Wishing You All the Best in Your Academic Success.
–Dr. Cristie Glasheen, Your Graduate Student Success Coach.
