Navigating the Graduate School Application Process Online

by Stephanie Thurrott

If you’re thinking of attending graduate school to advance your career, now is a great time to apply! You can complete your graduate school application online and connect virtually with many resources. For instance, Azusa Pacific University offers a number of digital opportunities to gather information and get a feel for the school’s culture. This makes it easier to find answers to your questions and get help navigating the application process.

“We have numerous ways of connecting directly with students and are ready to help them reach their educational goals,” said Alyssa Anchondo, admissions representative for APU’s Inland Empire Regional Campus.

Thanks to technology, you’re able to read up on graduate programs anywhere—at any time—on your phone, tablet, or computer. Here’s a rundown of the online resources you should access when applying to graduate school.

Explore the Website

First and foremost, it’s a good idea to spend some time exploring the school’s website and reading about its various offerings. This will provide insight into the school’s graduate programs and curricula as well as its approach to the campus community and student life. It also gives you the chance to sign up for virtual information meetings and review the application requirements.

You might even be able to take a virtual tour of the school! On their YouTube channel, APU posts immersive 360˚ videos that give you a sense of what it’s like in different campus environments. You can also check out stories of APU alumni and community members, as well as meet the faculty who teach in an array of grad programs.

APU’s website provides detailed information about the university’s programs, admissions requirements, coursework, student support, resources, and more. Start there to learn about opportunities for continuing your education at one of the school’s eight locations throughout Southern California and online programs.

Attend a Virtual Information Session

If you’re not able to visit one of APU’s campuses, you can still learn a lot and connect individually with staff and faculty members. The school offers a number of virtual information sessions for hopeful graduate students. These sessions are typically held over Zoom and help you learn about your program of interest and all aspects of applying.

“Students have shared that these sessions really help them in their decision of choosing the right program,” Anchondo said. “We like to invite our faculty to these events, as they can speak from their professional experience and guide our students.”

With APU’s virtual information sessions, you have a great opportunity to:

  • Learn more about the university
  • Obtain detailed information about the program you’re interested in
  • Understand admissions requirements
  • Get financial aid information
  • Ask questions about the graduate student experience
  • Hear from faculty members

As an added bonus, by attending an APU virtual information session, you can qualify to have your application fee waived. All you have to do is register online and then log in at the scheduled time.

Chat with an Admissions Representative

APU also offers a graduate and professional chat feature that enables you to speak with a representative for your program of interest in real-time and get answers to your questions. You can also set up a virtual one-on-one appointment with an admissions representative.

“The great thing about connecting online is that there is flexibility with availability,” Anchondo noted. “We understand that many students have varying schedules, but online we can connect virtually anywhere and anytime during working hours. We have the ability to meet face-to-face through video chat to discuss detailed program information and admissions requirements. We can also walk you through the application process step by step.”

Taking it a step further, admissions representatives can help connect you with dedicated and supportive faculty in your program of interest. Representatives can share faculty email addresses and phone numbers, so you can reach out and learn more about your area of study and ask questions about what you will learn in classes.

Apply Online

With APU’s user-friendly application process, it’s easy to complete your graduate school application online. The process is intuitive, and the school’s online tools help ensure that all your application documents are in order. And you don’t have to complete the entire application in one sitting—you can work on it whenever is best for you.

Are you ready to advance your career with a graduate degree? Learn more about the wide array of programs offered at Azusa Pacific University.