The following article comes from our friends at AdmitSee. We’ve invited them to share their insight about peer mentors in the grad school application process.

As you begin the grad school application process, you will have plenty of opinions at your disposal.  From your parents, to your current educational institution, to grad schools themselves–you may be bombarded with conflicting opinions on where you should apply. Add to that the plethora of free (and sometimes unreliable) information on the web, often written by anonymous sources, and you’re likely no clearer than when you started!

If you’re fortunate enough to have an older sibling with a tight group of friends who’ve taken career paths that interest you, you’re in luck! Spend lots of time talking with these folks about how and why they picked their grad schools, what they like and don’t like about their programs, and what they wish they knew when they were considering their options.

But, if you’re like most applicants, you need to seek out your own mentors.

Often, people with similar interests who are just a year or two ahead of you will be your most effective mentors. There are many reasons for this, but, to start, you will have an easier time connecting with your near-peers than with someone who’s 20 years older than you. You’ll find more common connections and more shared experiences to bond over. A strong personal connection is the foundation for a great mentor-mentee relationship.
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Take a time out to catch up with this week's grad school news!

Here’s a roundup of our favorite GRE links from the week. Enjoy the weekend!

Don’t Be Afraid of Going to Graduate School in the Humanities (Pacific Standard)

Full-time, tenure-track professorships in the humanities are famously scarce. But that’s not a reason to avoid an advanced degree.

3 Concerns of International Grad School Applicants (U.S. News Education)

Here are some answers to common application questions from prospective international graduate students.

How to Choose the Right Graduate Program? Consider Your Personal Life (About.com Graduate School)

Sometimes you have to look beyond academics to choose the right graduate program for you.

3 Key Ways College, Graduate School Differ (U.S. News Education)

Grad School isn’t a continuation of college. Be prepared for larger workloads and more responsibility.

Graduate Degrees with Strong Career Prospects (Graduate Guide)

Here are some of the best fields to consider in graduate school when it comes to the current job market.

Set the GRE prep work aside for a moment to catch up on some of this week’s top grad school tips and news links:

How to Make the Final Grad School Enrollment Decision (U.S. News Education)

Former dean of admissions has some advice for how to focus your needs and desires when you make your final grad school enrollment decision.

Overcome Procrastination with the Pomodoro Technique (About.com Graduate School)

Looking for a way to overcome procrastination? The Pomodoro Technique is a formal timer-based time management technique”it’s simple and effective.

How to Choose a U.S. Graduate School (U.S. News Education)

Use these four tips to thoroughly research graduate programs and prospective career fields before becoming and international graduate student.

U.S. Graduate Schools Stung by Drop in Chinese Applications (Reuters)

Reuters reports that slowing grad school enrollments, including a 5 percent decline in applications from Chine for fall 2013, are hurting the revenues of many U.S. universities.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep

Catch up on some of the top grad school tips and news links from the week. Happy Friday and happy reading!

What Graduate Students Should Know About the Sequester (U.S. News Education)

According to U.S. News, admissions criteria will change at some schools due to the sequestration. Find out why it could lead to a decrease in the number of students admitted.

What to Do When You are Accepted to Grad School (About.com)

Congrats to you if you’ve recently opened a graduate school acceptance letter! Now it’s time for some practical advice about what to do next.

Making the Most of Graduate School Advising (U.S. News Education)

This week U.S. News started a series addressing the questions that admitted graduate students often ask as well as information on how the academic advising process works.

You Can Be Busy or Remarkable”But Not Both (Study Hacks)

Here’s a great post that explains the profound difference between being busy and being remarkable. We think you’ll be ready for some down time after this read.

Did we miss your favorite article from the week? Let us know what you’ve been reading in the comments or tweet @ManhattanPrep

Happy Friday! Here’s a roundup of some great grad school tips and news links from the week:

Maximize Graduate School With a Dual Degree (U.S. News Education)

U.S. News details the difference between dual, joint, and interdisciplinary degrees and explains why these options may not be as expensive as you think.

The Best Graduate Schools for 2014: US News Releases the Rankings (Examiner)

U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 edition of the Best Graduate Schools was released online this past week. Here is the scoop on this year’s rankings.

Use These 5 Strategies to Pay for Graduate School (U.S. News Education)

According to U.S. News, one survey reported that almost 60 percent of employers offer some form of tuition assistance for grad students. Continue reading for five helpful strategies to consider when it comes to graduate school funding.
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