The Secret to Scoring Big in Grad School

How accelerated distance learning is the perfect preparation for graduate training.

By Brad Voeller

By today's standards, graduate school is the new bachelor’s degree. Because more students than ever are completing undergraduate training, it’s just about vital these days for college grads to rise above the crowd by studying for a master’s degree or some post-baccalaureate training.

When I first wrote Accelerated Distance Learning several years ago, I predicted that this educational approach would result in students taking the time and money they saved and investing it in grad school education.

Now, years later, I am happy to see that this prediction has proven correct. A growing number of CollegePlus! graduates have been accepted into the graduate programs of their choice at a variety of schools around the country.

Their graduate school success is actually a direct result of their CollegePlus! coaching: the discipline of self-study and a learner-directed approach to their education has prepared them to succeed because graduate programs are more self-directed and push students to focus their education on a specific area of interest.

Based on my experience thus far, CollegePlus! is not just a great way to earn a college degree. It is the perfect preparation for grad school.

Grad School the Accelerated Distance Learning Way

Last year I graduated from Liberty University’s online MBA program. I actually started back in 2002—it took me several years to complete because my studies had to be balanced with a very full schedule, including ministry, business, and family priorities.

To demonstrate the flexibility of graduate school, I typically would condense a semester course into a single week of focused study. By blocking out a week here and there, I was able to earn my MBA in spite of a very hectic schedule.

As I found myself not only surviving but actually flourishing in graduate school, it became increasingly clear that the skills I had developed through accelerated distance learning were the keys to my success.

Here’s how you can take on grad school and finish your master’s with flying colors!

Develop Your Study Skills

You will certainly find that all the hard work you are putting into learning study skills now will help you tremendously later on. These skills include academic writing, speed reading, and memory techniques.

Many students who are focusing on completing their studies by credit by exam do not have a lot of exposure to academic writing. However, it would be great if you could choose a few courses which would help you gain some experience with essay writing now in order to make the transition to grad school easier. You might even choose a portfolio course for this purpose. Working on my MBA actually helped me develop faster writing skills.

The Dynamic Writing and Study Skills course taught me the keys to getting high grades by properly structuring a paper and using correct MLA/APA formatting. These guidelines helped me get high marks on essays because the essay templates I developed through the dynamic writing program already contained the formatting required by my professors.

The methods presented in the Maximum Speed Reading course enabled me to quickly scan a thesis or academic journal for the specific information I needed.

Research the Program That’s Best for You

With thousands of programs to choose from, you want to make sure you adequately investigate your options. You will find great differences between how programs are structured and priced. You can find near exhaustive lists of graduate programs at Gradschools.com and Peterson’s. Once you have narrowed your search down to about five programs, make sure you spend enough time speaking with admissions personnel so you can be sure to get all your questions answered and make a thorough evaluation.

Create a Grad School Application Calendar

Because most programs have a number of requirements related to the application process, you will want to make sure you keep track of all deadlines and make sure that you are completing all the necessary preparations on schedule. It is wise to begin planning out your application process 12 months in advance. You can move things along faster, but the more time you give yourself for advanced planning the better the outcome.

Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships for graduate students are much less common than for undergraduate students. However, it is possible to find them. Also, you will stand a much better chance to be awarded some scholarships if you’ve participated in significant activities outside your college experience. Internships, work experience, volunteering, and social contributions will all help distinguish your application.

Check out Fastweb Scholarships to get free updates on available scholarships and internships for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Take the Correct Entrance Exam

Most programs require some type of test such as the GRE for liberal arts, GMAT for business school, and LSAT for law school. You probably studied much of what is covered in these exams back in high school. You might find that you have a lot of brushing up to do! CollegePlus! graduates have an advantage in that they are generally well trained and experienced in studying for and taking exams.

Incidentally, the same companies that produce CLEP study guides also do so for graduate exams. Take a look at some study guides at these links on Amazon for the GRE, GMAT, and LSAT.

Beware: some graduate programs don’t require an entrance exam. Make sure you know if an exam is even a requirement for the program you want to study before you sign up for an exam.

Get Letters of Recommendation

A quality recommendation letter can go a long way toward boosting the appeal of your application. As an undergraduate student, focus on building positive relationships with any professors now that will allow you to go back and request a recommendation from them later on.

You can also solicit recommendations from friends you have worked or served with. Especially focus on establishing relationships with a few key mentors. Oftentimes a good mentor will not only write a valuable recommendation but also give wise insight into your pursuit of a master’s degree.

Craft a Personal Statement

Most programs also require you to draft a personal statement that expresses who you are, experiences that have prepared you for grad school, and what your career or ministry goals are. What’s the key to writing a killer personal statement? Have a clear understanding of your life purpose!

If you have something that you are passionate about, a purpose you are aiming for, writing about it is simple. This is why CollegePlus! promotes Life Purpose Planning so heavily—even the world recognizes that having a purpose in life is essential for success.

Brad Voeller is a co-founder of CollegePlus! and currently serves as executive director for Family Mission International, a ministry that has spearheaded the exploding homeschool movement in South Korea. Brad, his wife Joo-Young, and their new baby reside in a suburb of Seoul.