Start from Zero: How to Apply to Graduate School After Working Full Time

So you’ve been working and decided it’s time to go for that next degree. Great!

Now the reality of actually starting an application sets in. 

Even if it feels like you’re starting from zero, you’re already a pro at starting new things and succeeding.

Years ago you applied to college after never applying before. And look at you now, a fully functioning professional. Applying to graduate school, law school or medical school is your next exciting challenge. 

How will you do it?

All it takes is the right mindset and strategy.

Here are 5 ways to confidently prepare to apply to graduate school after working for a few years:

Mindset Tips

1. Get out of your own way

2. Stay motivated

Strategic Planning

3. Research your options

4. Plan your finances

5. Create an application schedule

Mindset Tips

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

With a positive, growth-focused mindset, you can accomplish your goals.

I truly do believe this.

If you’re anything like me and have a little (or massive) cloud of self-doubt when starting the application process, rest assured you’re probably way more prepared than you think.

These mindset tips will help.

1. Get Out of Your Own Way

Deciding to go back to school after working was a real test of my willingness to start from zero again.

Even before starting an application, my (uncontrolled) brain at the time asked: 

What if I can’t remember how to BE a student anymore? What if I get in over my head with graduate level schoolwork and wasn't smart enough to handle it? What if I fail out and waste all that time and money?

Catastrophizing is exhausting and none of that was true.

It turns out I was a pretty solid student since I was studying something that brought me joy. I guarantee you will be, too.

If these worries sound familiar as you get ready to start your application, try the tips below to get out of your own way and level up your education mindset.

Action Items

• Write a list of 10 major times you started from zero and succeeded.

  • Learning to ride a bike totally counts 🚲.

  • Why do this? Your list is a reminder and vote of confidence that you'll succeed at something brand new again.

• Flip the script on those doomsday questions.

  • Instead of: "What if I can't remember how to be a student?"

  • Trying asking: "What if after all of this life experience, I'll be the best student I've ever been?"

  • Why do this? Your quality of life changes when you change the quality of your life questions.
    
    
    

2. Stay Motivated

As a working professional starting the application process, you’re in a position where you can easily decide not to apply and the world won’t end. You’ll still be gainfully employed, hopefully with a roof over your head and food on the table. 

How is that for motivation?

If you’re reading this, chances are you have a bit more fire under you to continue moving forward in life 🔥.

If going back to school is the key to achieve your desired career goals, digging into that internal motivation will help you push through potential set-backs in the application process.

Delayed letters of recommendation and writer’s block for personal statements are completely normal, yet can stop qualified working professionals from actually submitting their graduate school application.

Even with variables outside of your control, here’s how to stay motivated during the application process:

• First, consider that graduate school has the power to change your life.

• Second, treat your application process like a game.

  • Track your application progress.

  • Choose milestones to act as “checkpoints.”

  • Celebrate the small wins when you complete individual parts of each application. Treat yourself with something that will refresh you for the next step.

Quick Mindset Tips Recap

• Write a list of your accomplishments as proof you can start something new, revisit this list as needed

• Ask yourself high quality, positive questions to get encouraging answers

• Treat the application process like a game and celebrate the small wins!

(Get excited, strategy tips are next!)

Strategic Planning

“You can achieve anything you want in life if you have the courage to dream it, the intelligence to make a realistic plan, and the will to see that plan through to the end. – Sidney A. Friedman

As a working professional, you’ve likely experienced your fair share of strategizing to be successful in the workplace. 

You can Google answers with the best of them, maybe have some experience with budgeting, and you for sure know how to balance a schedule of competing personal and professional demands.

Even though you’re starting from zero in the graduate school application process, you already have the tools to succeed.

3. Research Your Options

There are so many types of graduate degrees and pathways today that you can easily find a program that meets your needs as a working professional.

Questions to ask yourself BEFORE you research individual programs:

• Do I want or need to keep working while in school?

  • If so, consider a part-time program or a full-time program structured for working professionals during evenings and weekends.

  • P.s. Ask your human resources department about tuition benefits.

• Am I going back to school just to get a degree?

  • Sometimes people need an advanced degree to move up in their current company, so a competitive graduate program with extensive resources and opportunities may not be necessary.

• Am I going back to school for a tailored experience and networking opportunities to make a significant career shift?

  • This might influence the type of programs and institutions you pursue, including the potential to move to a new city.

• Do I prefer in-person or virtual education?

  • Does one fit your current situation better? Your life schedule might do well with an asynchronous (i.e. on demand) program at your own pace versus scheduled classes with a lot of group projects.

Your career goals may not hinge on going through a competitive Ivy League graduate program. An online MBA from your state university might be the perfect fit to qualify you for a promotion at your company.

With answers to these questions, you can research graduate programs that best fit your current needs and life situation. 

4. Plan Your Finances

Even with financial support from your employer if you go back to school while working, there are other expenses to keep in mind as you start applying to graduate school. 

Having this information on hand and planning ahead will reduce the stress of what is already a brand new experience.

Expenses during the application process:

• Application fees for each university you’re applying to

• Transcript request fees for each college or university where you have college credits

• Travel/parking fees if you visit any universities

• And more!

Expenses once you start school*:

• Tuition

• Cost of books and other instructional materials

• Additional activity and instructional fees (example: Ohio State’s graduate student fees for 2022-2023)

• Other unexpected costs

*Check program websites or ask the admissions representatives for approximate costs beyond tuition.

Action Item

• Before getting too deep into the application process, it’s worth running the numbers to see which programs are the most financially feasible both with and without student loans.

5. Create an Application Schedule

You have a busy, exciting life. (Watching TikToks with your dog counts 🐾 ).

Applying to graduate school for the first time takes focus, time and a lot of mental energy.

To avoid overwhelm, make a plan for applying.

Need help? Check out this free Application Strategy Checklist. I created a timeline for you that would have made my life immeasurably better while applying for both master’s and doctoral programs.

Action Item

• Before you start applying, choose a “protected” time in your schedule to focus solely on your application process. 

If you have a bustling social calendar, consider having one evening blocked off for six weeks and say no to any event that pops up.

(Unless it’s grandma’s birthday - you better be there!)

If you’re applying for a program with evening classes, this will prepare you for what’s to come once you’re a student. You’ll find yourself saying “I wish I could, but I have class” more frequently in the coming years, this is good practice.

Strategic Planning Recap

• Ask yourself what you need from a graduate program before searching for individual programs for your applications

• Prepare a list of fees and other expenses to factor into your personal budget before starting an application, being financially secure will make your experience easier

• Mark your calendar with protected days and times for working on your application, this will also prepare you for going back to school
  
  
  

Deciding to start from zero and go back to school after working for a few years is a big and exciting decision. While there are a lots of factors to consider, and a healthy mindset to manage, you’ve got this.

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