Graduate school applications got you down? Follow these tips

Time for another application. No, not the kind that goes on your iPhone.

I’m talking about the kind of application we have dreaded since we were 17 or 18 years old. The one that rears its fiendish head every four years or so. The one that you think will determine whether your catchphrase for the rest of your life will be “I object,” “Your lab results came back” or “Would you like fries with that?”

If you don’t know what I’m talking about by now, you’re probably one of the envied people who lives in a grad-school-application-free world, or you’re just really behind on those apps. Or you’re a prospective medical student who has already gone through the application process and is now zipping through your frequent-flier miles to attend medical school interviews.

But for those college seniors who say they are suffering through applications now, there are ways to better the application experience. With better time management and use of campus resources that help with many types of applications, the process of applying can turn from a miserable experience into a less stressful one.

As a senior who is completing a double major in political science and English, juggling extracurricular activities, including student groups and an internship, and applying for law school, I will be the first to admit that sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel ““ freedom from applications ““ appears rather dim. In fact, I’m afraid that this first of my last three quarters at UCLA will be haunted by nightmares of me missing application deadlines or forgetting to squeeze in some crucial information I just know will determine whether or not I get accepted.

For those students on the verge of tears because they haven’t studied for tomorrow’s midterm, written that eight-page paper or even or asked a single professor for a letter of recommendation, I empathize and would like to offer some advice:

Tip No. 1: If you haven’t done so already, take a look at the deadlines for applications to the schools to which you want to apply and create an outline of due dates.

Tip No. 2: Build confidence in your ability to complete solid applications. After all, you’ve done this before. Judging from your presence at UCLA, chances are you did something right in the application process when you first applied to college. And if you didn’t, try not to repeat the actions that made the process more difficult the last time around, like leaving the online application until 10 p.m. the night before it was due.

Tip No. 3: The more organized you are during this process, the better. That may mean starting with cleaning your dorm or apartment to make room for the files and papers you are about to trash it with.

Tip No. 4: Budget your time according to your class and work schedules. I find that weekends are great times for tackling various portions of applications. But don’t forget to take a breather, including time to vent with friends or attend a UCLA football game.

Tip No. 5: Start building relationships with your professors and becoming comfortable with the idea of asking for letters of recommendation. From my experience, many UCLA professors are more than happy to help you achieve your academic goals, so don’t be afraid to ask them or to attend office hours. Raising your hand in class and demonstrating that you actually did the reading doesn’t hurt either.

Tip No. 6: Personal statements or essays can be difficult. Luckily, there are services on campus that can offer help with getting you started or revising what you have already begun. Campus resources include the Academic Advancement Program and the honors programs, for those enrolled in them. For those studying English, the department offers training sessions and writing tips. For students not enrolled in any special programs, College Academic Counseling is conveniently located in Murphy Hall.

Tip No. 7: Don’t compare yourself to the one or two people who claim to have already submitted their applications. The difference between you and those people is what makes you you, and them the kind of people who will freak out when they realize they forgot to request official transcripts. In other words, don’t rush. Being first to send in an application isn’t always the best option.

Lastly, at the risk of sounding like a self-help hotline, remember that no matter how stressful or tedious the application process becomes, many of us are experiencing the same feelings. You are not alone. Hopefully, some of these lessons that I have learned will help those doing applications now or those who will go through it next year. But if anything should stick from this column, remember to take time to be with supportive friends and to make the most of the few quarters you have left as Bruins.

If you have any suggestions for improving the application experience, e-mail Tehrani at [email protected]. Send general comments to [email protected].