Beyond the Checklist: How to Showcase Your Unique Skills and Experiences in Your Grad School Applications
Discover effective strategies and expert tips to stand out in your grad school applications. Learn how to showcase your unique skills and experiences to make a compelling case for your admission that captures the attention of admissions committees.
By Debby C.
Former Stanford Graduate Admissions | Master's Admissions Expert
Posted March 6, 2025
As you prepare your applications for graduate school, it's natural to showcase your accomplishments. You want to present yourself as a strong candidate capable of excelling in the program. Admission committee members seek evidence of your curiosity, creativity, experience level, and knowledge in a subject area.
When building your application, don't limit yourself to what you think the admission committee wants to see. In addition to outlining your accomplishments, think about the experiences and skills that have shaped you into who you are today.
Perhaps you have a unique hobby or interest that has helped you develop skills that are relevant to your desired field of study. For example, if you're interested in pursuing a degree in data science, your experience with video game programming might be worth mentioning. Or, if you're interested in pursuing a degree in education, your experience coaching a youth sports team could demonstrate your leadership and mentoring skills.
Taking chances and pursuing new experiences can also help you stand out in the application process. Perhaps you've taken on a challenging research project that pushed you outside of your comfort zone. These experiences can help you demonstrate your adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving skills – all qualities that graduate programs seek.
Building a strong application for graduate school requires more than just a list of impressive accomplishments. The admissions committee places great importance on your ability to demonstrate genuine curiosity and creativity in your application. Providing tangible evidence of these qualities will greatly enhance your chances of being considered for admission. By being true to yourself and pursuing experiences that interest you, you can build a more well-rounded application that showcases your unique skills and experiences. Don't be afraid to take chances - these are often the experiences that help shape who you become and the contributions you will make to graduate programs.
If you’re currently considering, planning on, or going through the graduate school admissions process, check out my other articles:
- Graduate Admissions: Myths Busted
- What Extracurriculars are Graduate Programs Looking For?
- How to Decide Where to Apply for Graduate School
- The 3 Most Frequently Asked Questions for Graduate Schools Admissions
- What Does "Holistic Review" Mean in Graduate School Admissions?
To start working with me on your applications, head to my Leland coach profile and message me to book a free intro call. I can’t wait to help you reach your goals!
Written by Debby
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With ten years of experience in graduate admissions at Stanford University's School of Engineering and School of Education, I can provide valuable insight into the application and review process. I am here to address your concerns and answer your questions about applying to graduate school. Since 2013, I have worked as a professional graduate admission consultant, specializing in helping students navigate the application process for programs in the United States, Canada, and many other countries worldwide. My travels have allowed me to connect with prospective students and their families, giving me a deeper understanding of the diverse cultural expectations surrounding advanced degrees. I coach to share my knowledge and experience with students globally, not to "game" the system, but to assist applicants in presenting the most accurate and compelling representation of their qualifications to admissions committees. My coaching services offer honest and personalized support as you prepare to apply to graduate school. I have specific expertise in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and education. I do not screen clients based on their academic records; in fact, I excel in working with individuals who may lack confidence in their potential for graduate studies. Everyone has a unique story to tell, and my mission is to help you showcase your strengths, even if you don’t yet recognize them. One of my greatest strengths is to help clients envision what is possible and collaborate with them to turn their dreams into reality. My past client results include (for a complete list of my admissions results, click here: https://www.wisegradadmissions.com/results) STANFORD UNIVERSITY Civil & Environmental Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Management Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering International Education Policy Learning, Design & Technology Policy, Organization & Leadership HARVARD UNIVERSITY Data Science Education Leadership. Organization & Entrepreneurship Human Development & Education Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology Prevention Science & Practice UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering Education & Psychology Behavioral Economics Counseling & Mental Health Services Human Development International Education Development Learning Sciences and Technologies Social Psychology WHARTON MBA (joint program with Computer Engineering Management Technology) CORNELL UNIVERSITY Electrical & Computer engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Operations Research & Information Engineering Statistics Agricultural Economics Food Science Financial Mathematics Management JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Applied Physics Computer Science Electrical & Computer Engineering Robotics Mental Health Counseling Public Health & Epidemiology Public Policy, Global Affairs & International Relations Financial Mathematics COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Management Science & Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Operations Research Agricultural Economics Biostatistics Statistics Financial Mathematics Applied Behavior Analysis Counseling Psychology Developmental Psychology Instructional Technology & Media International Comparative Education International Studies MSW School Psychology UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MBA Public Policy/Global Affairs MSW Psychology GEORGETOWN Public Policy/Global Affairs Asian Studies NYU Computer Science Data Science Electrical Engineering Financial Engineering Biostatistics Food Studies Physics Behavioral Economics Counseling Human Development & Social Interaction MSW UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Aero/Astro Engineering Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Biostatistics Survey Methodology Financial Mathematics Public Policy & International Studies Japanese Studies MSW CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electric and Computer Engineering Environmental Engineering HCI Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Statistical Practice Computational Finance UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Computer Science Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering Applied Physics Biostatistics Education/Psychology Learning Sciences and Human Development MSW
Debby has helped clients get into organizations like:
Harvard University
Stanford University
University of Pennsylvania
Duke University
Cornell University
