Happy New Year! As the IEDP priority application deadline of February 1 quickly approaches (although rolling admissions remain open as space permits), I wanted to share ten tips for navigating the application process. For first-gen applicants, international applicants, and those from other marginalized communities, the process of applying for graduate school can be incredibly daunting. Being first-gen myself, I can vividly remember my own sleepless nights of anxiety around this time last year. Whether you are applying this year or in the near future, I hope these tips are helpful and hopefully, will help ease your anxieties. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to IEDP Program Manager, Lauren Scicluna via sclauren@gse.upenn.edu, and join the upcoming virtual information session on January 23, 2026 at 9am ET (click here to register). 

1. Conduct thorough research on graduate programs of interest: Attending graduate school is a significant monetary and time investment, so it’s important to thoroughly research programs that interest you. The research process will not only help you determine whether a program is the right fit for you, but it will also help you convey your interest in the program if you do decide to start an application. In my personal experience, I knew that I was interested in international education, but quickly realized that programs like IEDP that focus more on international educational development align more with my interests compared to programs focused more on international education exchange. Once I learned about the IEDP, I scoured the website, blog, attended a virtual information session, and then reached out for calls with three alumni (one I worked with and two others that I cold messaged on LinkedIn). Combined with reflections on my own aspirations and what I was looking for in a graduate program, this extensive research process led me to become very familiar with the IEDP, eventually realizing that it would be a good fit for me.

2. Make note of the application deadlines: This one seems obvious, but if you are applying to more than one graduate program, it can be so easy to forget or mix up application deadlines. So it’s important to write down the correct deadline for each program that you are applying to. To help me stay organized, I created a spreadsheet with all the graduate programs I was intending to apply to and noted down their respective application deadlines. And just to be extra safe, I even added reminders of deadlines to my Google Calendar. 

3. Pay close attention to all components of the application: The IEDP application includes multiple components such as a statement of purpose, transcript, and three recommendation letters (see more details on application requirements here). Similarly to application deadlines, it can be very easy to lose track of certain components especially if you are applying to multiple graduate programs. To ensure that I fully completed my application, I created application checklists for each program I was applying to. 

4. Start your application early: Make sure to start your application well in advance of the deadline. Doing so will allow you to submit a stronger application and avoid mistakes that often come with rushing last minute. Although the priority deadline was on February 1, I started brainstorming ideas for my IEDP application the prior April. 

5. Avoid using generative AI to write your application: Don’t let generative AI take over your voice. This is your chance to show the faculty who you really are. They want to hear from YOU, not AI! (Plus faculty can easily tell when generative AI is being used to write essays that should be personal to you.)

6. Be authentic and let your voice shine: Across your application, it is so important to be true to who you are. Every individual has different areas of interest and unique experiences (even if they may not be directly related to education). Let these interests and experiences shine through in your application. Not only will doing so help differentiate you from other applicants, but it will also help the faculty determine whether the program would be a strong fit for you. Remember that graduate school is a significant investment, and you want the program that you pursue to align with your interests and aspirations. 

7. Reach out to close friends and mentors for feedback: After completing the first draft of your application essays, you may find it helpful to reach out to trusted friends and mentors for their feedback. I shared my application essays with close friends, and I found their feedback to be incredibly useful. 

8. Revise, revise, revise: I can’t stress this enough. As applicants, the application is your chance to convince the faculty that you are a strong fit for the program. Writing your application can feel like a very daunting task. But remember that your writing does not need to be perfect; however, it does need to be clear in conveying who you are — your interests, experiences, and aspirations. To improve the clarity of your writing, I would suggest setting aside enough time to revise your application essays before you submit. From my personal experience, I conducted multiple rounds of revisions for every application essay I wrote.

9. Submit and treat yourself: Congratulations to you for submitting your application. What a relief!! Now take some time to treat yourself as you wait for the release of decisions. 

10. Apply for FAFSA and external scholarships: If you apply by the IEDP priority deadline of February 1, you will be considered for GSE scholarships. But don’t forget about the FAFSA (if you are eligible for U.S. federal aid) and external scholarships. Any and all funding that can help you cover the cost of attendance will be useful. Start early and apply, apply, apply!