Research the degree. According to the statistics generated in the October 2006 National Science Foundation's report on doctoral fields, there are literally hundreds of specific categories for the awarding of doctorate degrees within about 38 different fields of study. These fields include business, dentistry, engineering, English, education, foreign languages, law, math, medicine, music, nursing, psychology, sociology, and many others. Anyone considering a doctorate needs to know exactly what field to pursue.
Decide on a school. Once the type of degree is decided upon, individual programs and schools need to be examined. This can be done through online research or contacting the schools of interest for catalogues. Although most doctoral programs require both a bachelor's and master's degree as a prerequisite to the doctorate, some programs do not. Find out what requirements are necessary if you want to work with a specific person. Research the possible options, before you decide where you want to attend.
Discover the application requirements. Besides a basic degree, special testing, letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and an interview may be required. Check the catalog or contact the school to find out exactly what is needed.
Complete the Graduate Record Exam. Most accredited graduate programs require students to complete the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) basic skills or a subject assessment. The General Basic Skills GRE measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. This test is usually taken on line at a general test center. Once a student registers for the GRE, free test preparation materials are available for the both the general test and GRE subject tests.
Apply for the program. Submit the neatest, most complete application that you can. Be sure to double check the spelling and accuracy of information.
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Funding is available for graduate study. Filling out the FAFSA and working with the financial aid office will help get the most aid available.
Request recommendations. When choosing someone to write a recommendation, be certain that person will write a positive commentary about you and your goals. It is advisable to write them a letter and spell out what you hope to achieve and why you are applying for this particular program.
Prepare for the Interview. If the first part of the application process is successful, the candidate is invited for an interview. Take time to seriously consider the types of questions that could be asked. Two of the most popular interview questions include "Why do you want to be in this program" and "Why should you be accepted in this program"? Don't memorize answers, but take the time to think out your best responses.