Graduate Admissions | Drexel University (2025)

FAQs

Is graduate admissions harder than undergrad? ›

In terms of difficulty, it's hard to make a blanket statement about grad vs. undergrad admissions, as it greatly depends on the specific program and college in question. Both processes can be highly competitive, particularly at top-tier institutions.

Admissions decisions typically occur within a few weeks or a month after your interview. In some cases you may be waitlisted and a decision might take longer. If you are applying for financial aid, you should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in March.

You are considered a graduate applicant if you hold a Bachelor's degree, and wish to continue your graduate/post-baccalaureate studies in a graduate, certificate, credential or 2nd bachelor's program at Cal State LA.

Graduate studies are more specific, so they have stricter requirements, but the process is relatively simple for both programs. Undergraduate programs require a high school diploma, while graduate ones require a bachelor's degree. The requirements are pretty different for standardized testing as well.

Is it Hard to Get into Graduate School? It is typical for a single program to receive about 200 or so applications for between 5 and 8 admission spots, making the chances of being admitted less than 5%. This article describes how you can increase your chances of being offered admission into a graduate program.

Grad school programs are typically more selective than undergraduate schools. Because they want to admit students who are likely to do well in their programs, they have requirements that allow them to filter out the candidates they feel may not meet the expectations set by the program.

There are five main factors that most institutions look for when selecting graduate students: academic records, personal statement, letters of recommendation, research experience (and/or clinical experience, if you're applying to a clinical program), and match to the program/advisor.

Admissions decisions involve more than a judgment of an applicant's worth and potential. If you're among the thousands of prospective graduate students who receive rejection letters each year, perhaps these insights into the process can help you reframe rejection.

Graduate school acceptance rates are highly variable. The acceptance rates for prestigious programs can be as low as 5%, while others fall in the range of 11% to 27%. For example, Columbia University has an admittance rate of 15%, Cornell 10%, Yale 9.6%, and Duke 20%.

The graduate school admissions process is not always transparent, but a successful application typically includes the following: Undergraduate transcripts, including course grades. Graduate school test results (usually the graduate record examination (GRE), although some fields have their own specialized exams)

What does it mean when a college says congratulations on your admission? ›

If you receive a fat envelope in the mail with an admit decision, congratulations – you've been accepted to the university! This is a no-strings-attached decision, meaning you don't need to meet any additional requirements or submit any additional information.

Undergraduate applicants: The minimum requirement for conditional admission is a cumulative GPA of 2.67. If you do not meet the 2.75 GPA requirement, but have earned a 2.5 GPA or better, you may submit a Special Action Petition for committee consideration.

A graduate student is someone who has earned a bachelor's degree and is pursuing additional education in a specific field. Graduate Degrees. More than 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities offer programs leading to a graduate degree in a wide range of fields.

Becoming a competitive grad school applicant requires more effort than becoming a competitive undergrad applicant. Another reason getting into grad school is difficult is because seats in graduate programs are limited—either by funding, faculty availability, or restrictions of the program.

While an undergraduate degree allows you to apply for entry level jobs, a graduate degree expands your job market and increases your favorability in the eyes of potential employers. In a competitive market, you'll need an edge over other job applicants. Graduate school gives you a larger network and better connections.

Almost certainly not. There may be some exceptions for programs that combine Bachelors and one year Masters degrees. Ask the graduate program you are planning to apply for how they treat applicants from their undergraduate institution.

Is grad school harder than undergrad? By the nature of learning and growth, it's fair to expect the subject material in grad school to be more advanced than the material you'd learn in an undergrad program in the same field.

Undergraduate students juggle 5-6 courses per semester, while graduate students usually take only 3 advanced level courses. These courses involve much more reading and research than undergraduate classes and typically have fewer assignments.

Graduate school acceptance rates are highly variable. The acceptance rates for prestigious programs can be as low as 5%, while others fall in the range of 11% to 27%. For example, Columbia University has an admittance rate of 15%, Cornell 10%, Yale 9.6%, and Duke 20%.