Application Materials

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

A graduate school application will usually ask for a resume or curriculum

vitae (CV). Here are some general distinctions between these two documents:

Both a resume and CV should:

• be tailored for the graduate school program – this can be done through use of keywords, as well as order of sections and titles of sections (for example: Healthcare Experience, Research Experience, etc.)
• use bullet points with action verbs focused on strengths and skills
• represent you as the well-qualified applicant
• NOT include personal interests nor personal info (like picture, birthdate, marital status, nationality, etc.)

NOTE: Most grad programs are not particular about whether you submit a resume or CV, which means a hybrid may be a good option. Meaning: Unless they say a 1-page resume, don’t worry about sticking to a single page. You can feel free to add more of what you’ve done and expand further on experiences. Always continue to be thoughtful about what you are choosing to include and why so that you can show the relevance to your application to the program.

Transcripts

Graduate schools use undergraduate transcripts to confirm degree completion and to assess both coursework taken (breadth, challenge) and your performance (grades/GPA). If you submit transcripts prior to graduation, schools may also request verification of your degree once you have completed it.

All college transcripts are usually required, as are official transcripts, which are sent to the graduate school directly from your undergrad institution(s). It typically takes several days or more for an institution to process and send a transcript, so plan accordingly!