Most graduate programs look at a combination of grades, letters of recommendation, graduate record exam (GRE) scores, and student letters of intent when making their decisions about graduate school admission. Below are some tips for improving each component.
a) Grades: A strong grade point average (GPA) tells admission committees that you are hard working, speaks to your intellectual skills, and provides evidence as to how you might perform at the graduate level. If you are struggling in this area, it may help to closely examine your methods of studying. Talk with classmates who are successful and find out what methods work for them. Talk with your instructors. They have lots of experience both giving and taking tests and can also offer useful advice. Access the Student Success Center on campus, which provides help with study strategies and tutoring.
Caveat: Although this is an important part of a student's application, it is important that students do not solely rely on GPA. It is possible for a student with a high GPA but who is very weak in the other areas not to be admitted.
b) Letters of Recommendation: Students will need three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the student's ability to perform as a graduate student or as a professional in the field. Examine the recommender rating form for the graduate program to which you are applying. You want your recommenders to know you well enough to rate you on that form. Typically recommenders are asked to comment on your academic record, your leadership skills, your interpersonal communication skills, and various other aspects of your potential for academic and clinical development at the graduate level.
Each recommender may have different requirements for the process to begin. Some may want to meet with you if they do not know you well and most will want to review your resumé or at least a list of your activities over the past few years. Some will ask to see a draft of your letter of intent. Many will ask you to complete a release of information form that allows the faculty member to share information about your academic performance.
A professor with a large class may not be able to comment on a particular student's abilities beyond what is listed in the grade book, and this is not likely to be enough information for that recommender to speak to your fitness for graduate school. Therefore, connect with your potential recommenders so they can see how you interact with others, that you are genuinely interested in the field and the subject matter (not just in getting points), and that you can think about the subject matter in analytical ways.
Of course, if you do connect with a potential recommender, do your best work, demonstrating the skills listed above. Professors can speak to your written communication skills based on your papers or on your email communications. If you are volunteering in research or clinical settings, be punctual, do requested work in a timely manner, demonstrate initiative and leadership, and show that you can problem solve and generate new ideas. Not all of your recommenders have to be in the SPA department. There are many research volunteer opportunities across campus (e.g., psychology, human development and family studies, special education, etc.)
Recommenders who know you from a research lab setting will know you well and will be able to best illustrate how well suited you are for a graduate program. However, if you have not made these connections by the time you are applying to a graduate program, it will be difficult to obtain the best letters.
If you ask for a letter and the potential recommender declines, it is probably because the person either 1) does not know you well enough or 2) would not be able to recommend you based on their knowledge of your skills. Be thankful that the person declined instead of writing you a disappointing letter. Move on and find someone who could speak to your skills more favorably.
c) GRE scores: Not all graduate programs require the GRE. Kent State University does not require it. However, if a program that you are interested in does require this test then commercially available study guides are a good place to start with regard to preparing to take the GRE. Be sure to set aside plenty of time to study. You can improve your chances through preparation, so do not neglect to do so. Students may also improve their scores by retaking the GRE, and doing so does not hurt the student's chances. When reading program websites and viewing the average GRE score, remember that the average lies in the middle of a range. Your GRE score may be below the average for the program, but if other aspects of your application are strong, you may be able to overcome a lower score. Some graduate programs look closely at your writing score from the GRE. Therefore, be sure to develop your writing skills during your undergraduate program.
d) Letters of Intent (also called personal statements): These are typically 1-2 page essays that are submitted with your graduate application. Take care to read the instructions for each school to which you apply as they may differ from school to school. Remember that you are asking to study to be a professional in communication sciences. Therefore, it is important that you show the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. More tips on writing the letter of intent for Kent State's application