Graduate and Professional School Preparation
Curiosity doesn't end at Commencement.
A love of asking big questions and exploring complex ideas leads many Whitties on to graduate or professional school, with more than 60% of Whitman alum earning advanced degrees. Whether you're considering further education immediately following graduation or later in life, the Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC) is here to support you through the process!
Get Started Thinking About Grad School
Step 1
Talk to your academic advisors, who are uniquely positioned to help you understand why you want to pursue graduate study and whether it is the best choice for you as well as identify programs of interest
Step 2
Check out the “Thinking About Graduate School” and “Applying to Graduate School” resources in Handshake for more information and advice
Step 3
Use Handshake to schedule an appointment with a CCEC coach, who can help you in preparing your resume and application materials
Planning Your Path to Professional School
If you're considering a medical or legal career, our subject-specifc advisors are here to help you plan the path to attending a specialized professional school.
Advanced professional training is also available through Whitman’s dual-degree programs in Engineering, Forestry and Environmental Management, and Oceanography.
Going to Grad School After a Break
The CCEC supports all Whitties, current students as well as alumni. If you are considering graduate school after time working, volunteering or parenting, contact ccec_info@whitman.edu to have your alumni Handshake profile created. Once you have an alumni profile, you can use Handshake to browse resources and schedule appointments with a CCEC coach.
Preparing for Grad School FAQs
Handshake contains several resources pages where you can find guidance for generating application documents like CVs and resumes, personal statements and other essays, as well as advice about requesting letters of recommendation and acing grad school interviews.
As you consider whether graduate shool is the next step for you, Whitman's faculty members and academic advisors are great resources. They can help you look at your areas of interest and find programs that align with those, as well as plan a course of study that ensures you are prepared for success in advanced studies.
And once you're ready to apply, the experienced CCEC staff are excited to help you! You can schedule an appointment with a coach through Handshake, who can work with you to prepare your application materials.
Many students use graduate school to refine their interests rather than pursue a narrowly defined plan. What matters most is being able to explain what motivates your curiosity now and how a program will help you explore it further.
It’s never too early—or too late—to begin. Most students start thinking intentionally about preparation in their sophomore or junior year, but meaningful coursework, research and mentoring can happen at any point during your time at Whitman.
Strong relationships with faculty mentors help you clarify your goals, gain research or project experience, and secure thoughtful letters of recommendation that speak to your intellectual curiosity and readiness for advanced study.
Graduate programs value evidence of curiosity, initiative and sustained engagement—whether that comes from research, creative work, internships, community-based learning or independent projects. There’s no single “right” experience.
Absolutely! Many students benefit from gaining work, service or research experience after graduation. Graduate programs often view time out of school as a strength, especially when it helps clarify goals and build perspective.