Grad School Application 101, Part 1: How to Plan and Build Your Profile Before You Apply

A Q&A guide for first-time master’s and PhD applicants on what to do months before you apply: choosing a field, building your profile, standardized tests, scholarships, and documents.

Part 1 of Grad School Application 101: what to do months before you apply, from choosing a field to setting up an application tracker.

This is a guest post by Hebron Girma Belete, written with Mahelet G. Fikru.

Last updated: October 19, 2026 · This is a living Q&A. We add new questions as students ask them.

A quick note before you read: these answers are a guide, not the final word. They come from our own experience as students, applicants, and mentors. Programs, deadlines, and scholarship rules change every year, so always check the official website of each university and scholarship before you apply.

Every month, we meet with students in our mentorship group on Zoom. Many of them are applying to master’s and PhD programs in the US and Europe for the first time, and the same questions keep coming up. So we organized them into Grad School Application 101, a three-part Q&A guide that follows the application journey from start to finish:

• Part 1: Before you apply (this post): choosing your field, building your profile, standardized tests, scholarships, and getting organized

• Part 2: While you apply: Grad School Application 101, Part 2: How to Apply to Grad School Strategically

• Part 3: After you apply: Grad School Application 101, Part 3: What to Do After You Apply to Grad School

Think of this post as a directory. The questions come from students. The answers are ours. When a new question comes up, we add it here.

Have a question that is not on this list? Ask us in the comments. We respond to every comment and add new questions to this directory.

The short answer

Start months before applications open. Decide what career you want and which field leads there, then build experience that fits that field. Prepare for standardized tests, shortlist scholarships, and gather your documents early. Most application steps take a few weeks. A relevant profile takes months to build.

---

Contents

1. Choosing your field and programs

2. Building your profile: experience, internships, and LinkedIn

3. Standardized tests: IELTS, TOEFL, and the GRE

4. Scholarships

5. Getting organized: documents and an application tracker

---

1. Choosing your field and programs

Is grad school worth it for me?

Grad school is worth it when what it gives you outweighs what you give up to attend. Economists call what you give up the opportunity cost, and it is different for each person. So the real question is not “Is grad school worth it?” but “Is grad school worth it for me, right now?” Read the full answer in Is Grad School Worth It? Start With Opportunity Cost, Not the Application Essay.

How do I choose which graduate programs to apply to?

Start with your academic background, your research interests, and your career goals. Then, research programs carefully before you commit. If you studied economics, accounting, or another social science, you have more options than you think: applied economics, financial economics, development economics, energy economics, an MA in Sustainability, or an MA in Environmental Policy.

Choose programs that match the courses you took and the experience you have. Doing this research first saves you time and money.

Should I apply to many different fields to increase my chances?

No. Narrow your focus within one field, for example, financial economics or development economics. When your focus is clear, it is easier to match with the right programs and the right professors. Applying across unrelated fields makes your story confusing.

Can I get into a graduate program if my background is in a different field?

Yes, but you have to explain the transition. Use your Statement of Purpose to say why you are moving into the new field, how your prior experience is relevant, and how it supports your academic goals. A different background can even be an advantage, since many professors do interdisciplinary research that connects to other fields. For example, someone with an economics background may fit well with faculty who study finance. A non-traditional background works in your favor when you frame it well.

2. Building your profile: experience, internships, and LinkedIn

Start here early. Most application steps can be done in a few weeks, but relevant experience and a professional network take months to build.

How do I build a profile that fits the program I want?

Choose activities connected to the field you want to study. If you are interested in finance, for example, look for volunteering, internships, or other work in the financial sector. Each experience gives you concrete material to include in your CV and Statement of Purpose, and it shows the admissions committee that your interest is genuine. It also helps with scholarships, since some require a set number of years of work experience.

How should I use LinkedIn for graduate school and academic opportunities?

Build your LinkedIn profile intentionally. Post relevant content, connect with researchers and professors, and use your profile to signal your research interests and professional goals. An active, well-structured profile makes you visible to potential supervisors and collaborators.

3. Standardized tests: IELTS, TOEFL, and the GRE

Many applicants need two kinds of standardized tests. English proficiency tests (IELTS and TOEFL) show that you can study in English. The GRE is not an English test. It measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing, and some programs use it to compare applicants.

Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?

Most programs taught in English require proof of English proficiency, and many accept either the IELTS or the TOEFL. Check each program’s page for the tests it accepts, the minimum overall score, and any minimum section scores.

Can I apply without IELTS or TOEFL if my degree was taught in English?

Sometimes. Some programs accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate. This is an official letter from your university confirming that your undergraduate degree was taught in English. Depending on the program, you may be able to apply without taking IELTS or TOEFL. If a program does not mention MOI, you can contact the admissions office to request a waiver. Even so, we recommend taking the test if you can. A strong score helps your application stand out.

Do I need the GRE?

It depends on the program. Many fully funded US programs, especially in economics and STEM fields, ask for GRE scores, while some have made the GRE optional. Most European master’s programs do not require it, but some do. Check each program’s requirements before you register.

When should I take these tests?

Early. Book your test date so your scores are ready well before your first deadline, with enough time to retake the test if you need a higher score.

4. Scholarships

Which scholarships should I look at for a master’s or PhD abroad?

There are many scholarships for graduate study abroad. Below are a few examples of well-known programs, listed to show the range of options, not as recommendations. Each has its own eligibility rules, priorities, and deadlines, and some funds only support master’s studies, so read the official criteria and decide which ones fit you.

For example:

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: joint master’s programs taught at universities in several countries

• Chevening Scholarships: one-year master’s study in the UK

• DAAD Scholarships: master’s and PhD study in Germany

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: offered through partner universities, for young Africans

• France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program: master’s and PhD studies in France; the French university nominates candidates

• Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals: master’s studies in Sweden, for citizens of eligible countries

• Commonwealth Scholarships: master’s and PhD study in the UK, for residents of eligible Commonwealth countries

This is not a complete list, a ranking, or a recommendation. Some European universities also run their own scholarship programs with their own deadlines and rules.

How do I know which scholarship is the best fit for me?

Look for programs whose priorities match your academic background and research interests. Some of these scholarships may focus on education and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or development more broadly. If your interests are in development or SDG-related topics, frame your profile and research interests around that. Relevance to the program’s goals is a key selection criterion.

Some programs also weigh social impact heavily. For example, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals both describe social impact as part of their goals.

As a student from a developing country, how can I position myself for programs at Western universities?

Be intentional and confident. Many funding bodies prioritize research relevant to developing countries and the Global South, so connect your research interests to that context when it fits. Present your experience clearly, and do not undersell yourself. Imposter syndrome is real, but your profile deserves to be presented with confidence.

5. Getting organized: documents and an application tracker

What documents should I prepare in advance?

Gather and scan the documents most programs ask for: transcripts, degree certificates, your passport, test scores, and an up-to-date CV. Ask your recommenders early, so they have time to write strong letters. Having everything ready means you are not rushing when deadlines arrive.

How do I keep track of my applications?

Create a spreadsheet in Excel or Google Sheets with one row per program. Track the university, program, deadline, requirements (tests, documents, work experience), scholarship options, application fee or fee waiver, and the status of your application. Update it as you complete each step. You will keep using it after you apply.

Your next steps

1. Write down the career you want and the field that leads there.

2. Pick one or two activities that build experience in that field.

3. Update your LinkedIn profile and connect with researchers in your field.

4. Book your IELTS or TOEFL date, and the GRE if your programs require it.

5. Shortlist scholarships and note their requirements.

6. Start your application tracker and scan your documents.

Continue the series

Next: Grad School Application 101, Part 2: How to Apply to Grad School Strategically, on checking eligibility, meeting deadlines, and tailoring your Statement of Purpose and CV.

Then: Grad School Application 101, Part 3: What to Do After You Apply to Grad School, on tracking your application, interviews, contacting professors, and finding more funding.

If you are looking for US graduate programs, try Grad School Finder, a free tool for subscribers. It suggests programs tailored to your degree, field, and profile, including those that are likely to offer funding.

Ask your question

This directory grows with your questions. Ask your Grad School-related questions in the comments below. We respond to every comment and add your questions here, so the next student can find them too.

These answers are a guide, not the final word. Always confirm details with the official university and scholarship websites.

---

About the authors

Hebron Girma Belete is an Erasmus Mundus Master’s student in Economic Policies for the Global Bifurcation, specializing in the digital economy, with experience working in international organizations

Mahelet G. Fikru is a professor of economics at Missouri S&T, with 15 years of experience teaching and mentoring students. She writes The Grad School Path, a section of her newsletter with practical advice on applying to graduate programs.