Grad School Admissions: Transcripts and Documents

The importance of transcripts, resumes, and other documents in graduate school applications cannot be overstated. These materials form the backbone of your application, providing a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements, professional experience, and the unique skills you’ve developed during your service. Your transcripts offer a clear record of your academic foundation, demonstrating your preparedness for the rigors of graduate study. Meanwhile, your resume serves as a snapshot of your career, highlighting key accomplishments, leadership roles, and the practical skills you’ve gained through the Peace Corps. Additionally, other documents such as certifications, portfolios, or writing samples can showcase specific competencies or projects that align with your chosen field. For RPCVs, these documents are especially important in illustrating how your service has translated into tangible skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate for graduate school, complementing your personal statement and references.

WorldView asked university admissions leaders for their hot tips on how best to present transcripts, resumes and other documents.

Hot Tip #1

The transcript is the most important part of a graduate school application, as it shows your academic readiness. However, don’t overlook the resume, which can open doors to scholarships without separate applications. Include all certifications, jobs, volunteer work, and affiliations. You never know what connections could benefit your application.

—Stephanie Worden, Assistant Dean for Enrollment, Marketing and Communications, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver

Hot Tip #2

It really depends on the program. Some programs require hard minimums for GPA and test scores while others take a more holistic approach. Do your research so you know what to expect going in. That said, submit the best application package possible and on time. Address anything up front you think the admissions committee might have questions about, such as low grades in a particular class or time in life, a gap in your resume, or what might look like a u-turn. Real people read applications and understand that things happen. Consider sharing these up front and be willing to address them in the interview. 

—Jill Stoffers, Senior Director of Institutional Partnerships, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Hot Tip #3

Most institutions now utilize a holistic review process when making admission decisions. This means they are looking at all of the pieces of your application in order to determine if you have the background required and the potential to be successful. Make sure you put equal weight on each piece of the application; you never know what might tip the scales!

—Alyssa Orlando, Ph.D., Director, Graduate Admission, Clark University