GRE Success:

Your Guide to
Graduate
Admissions
Expert tips for the perfect
application and securing your spot

16 PAGES
15 MIN READ

E2TESTPREP.COM E2 GRE
Preparing for the GRE
Preparing for the GRE is just one part of the admissions process for
graduate programs. To maximize your chances of getting accepted
into your desired school, you need to consider several other
aspects of your application.

From researching the right programs and writing standout essays

to securing strong letters of recommendation and exploring
financial aid options, here is everything you need to know to boost
your chances of success.

For more GRE prep tips, visit

e2testprep.com/gre

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 1
Table of Content

01 02
RESEARCHING AND CRAFTING A STRONG
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PERSONAL
PROGRAMS STATEMENT/ESSAY

03 04
SECURING STRONG NAVIGATING FINANCIAL
LETTERS OF AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
RECOMMENDATION

05 06
PREPARING FOR THE GRE MANAGING
APPLICATION DEADLINES

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 2
 01
Researching
and choosing the
right programs
Selecting the right graduate programs to
apply to is a critical decision. Consider factors
beyond just rankings, such as faculty expertise,
research opportunities, program culture, and
location.

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 3
Tips for choosing programs:

Identify your Visit campuses

priorities
If possible, visit the
What are your campuses of your top
academic and career choices to get a feel
goals? Choose for the environment
programs that align and facilities.
with these objectives.

Speak with Consider

current students application costs

Reach out to current Applying to multiple

students or alumni to programs can get
get a sense of the expensive. Narrow your
program’s strengths list to a manageable
and weaknesses. number of schools
where you have a strong
chance of acceptance.

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 4
 02
Crafting
a Strong Personal
Statement or Essay
Your personal statement or statement of
purpose (SOP) is your chance to present
yourself beyond your grades. It’s where you tell
your story, explain your motivation for pursuing
graduate studies, and demonstrate your
individual fit for the program.

For writing tips, visit

e2testprep.com/gre/articles

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 5
Tips for a winning personal
statement or essay

BE AUTHENTIC
Admissions committees can spot generic or
exaggerated essays. Be sincere about your
experiences and aspirations.

BE POSITIVE
Show your enthusiasm for the program and your
motivation to succeed in the subject matter. Being
passionate about the program will help you to
stand out.

SHOW, DON’T TELL

Use specific examples from your past experiences
to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, experience,
and potential. Show how your interests align with
the program.

TAILOR YOUR ESSAY

Customize your essay for each program. Mention
specific faculty members you would like to work
with, and align your goals with the specifics of
what the program offers.

REVISE AND PROOFREAD

Writing is a process. Draft, seek feedback, revise,
and proofread your essay to ensure clarity.

WWW.E2TESTPREP.COM 6
 03
Securing
Strong Letters of
Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are
a critical component of your application.
They provide a third-party perspective on
your abilities, character and potential for
success in graduate school.

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE
WWW.E2TESTPREP.COM 17
How to get strong recommendations

01 CHOOSE WISELY
Select recommenders who know you well
academically or professionally and can speak
to your strengths and achievements.

02 PREPARE YOUR RECOMMENDERS

Provide them with your resume, personal
statement, details of the program you are
applying for, and any other relevant
information that will help them write a
detailed and supportive letter.

03 GIVE THEM TIME

Request your letters well in advance of the
deadline, allowing at least 4–6 weeks for your
recommenders to write them.

04 FOLLOW UP
Gently remind your recommenders of the
deadline as it approaches, and be sure to
thank them for their support.

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 8
 04
Navigating
Financial Aid and
Scholarships
Graduate school is a significant investment,
however, various financial aid options are
available to help you manage the cost.

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE
WWW.E2TESTPREP.COM 91
 UNDERSTANDING
FINANCIAL AID

FILL OUT THE FAFSA

If you’re applying to US schools, completing the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is essential
to determine your eligibility for federal loans, work-
study programs, and some grants.

RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS
Many schools offer merit-based scholarships, which
do not require repayment. Search for external
scholarships related to your field of study as well.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Some programs offer assistantships that provide a
stipend and tuition remission in exchange for
teaching or research work. These are competitive but
can significantly offset costs.

NEGOTIATE OFFERS
If you receive multiple offers, don’t hesitate to ask for
more financial support from your top-choice school.
Some programs may increase their offer to match or
exceed others.

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 10
 05
Preparing
for the GRE
Your GRE score is a crucial factor in your
application, but it’s not the only one. That said,
performing well on the GRE can strengthen
your application, particularly if your GPA is
lower than you would like.

We are experts in GRE test prep.

Study with E2 today!
www.e2testprep.com/gre

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 11
 GRE preparation tips

KNOW THE FORMAT

Watch E2’s overview videos to familiarize yourself
with the GRE’s structure, including the types of
questions in each section (Verbal Reasoning,
Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing).

PRACTICE REGULARLY
Consistent practice is key to improving your
score. Use the practice materials in your E2
course and take the timed Practice Tests to build
stamina and speed.

FOCUS ON WEAK AREAS

Identify your weaker areas and devote extra time
to improving them, whether it’s vocabulary, math
concepts, or essay writing.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join Live Classes to work through practice with
your tutor and fellow candidates, and book one-
on-one tutorials for individual advice from an
expert tutor.

Login to your E2 platform

to see the Live Class calendar

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 12
 06
Managing
Application Deadlines
Graduate school applications often have
multiple components with different
deadlines. Staying organized is crucial to
ensure you do not miss any important dates.

For one-on-one help, book a

tutorial via E2 platform

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 13
Tips to staying on track

CREATE A TIMELINE
Map out all the deadlines for
each program, including GRE
dates, application
submissions, and financial aid
forms.

USE A CHECKLIST
Keep a checklist of all required
materials for each application,
such as transcripts, essays,
and recommendations.

START EARLY
Begin working on your
applications well before the
deadlines to avoid last-minute
stress.

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 14
 Final Thoughts
The admissions process for graduate school is multifaceted
and can be overwhelming. However, by planning ahead,
staying organized, and putting your best foot forward in
each aspect of your application, you can significantly
increase your chances of success. Remember, it’s not just
about getting in — it’s about finding the right program that
will help you achieve your academic and career goals.

Good luck with your GRE preparation

and the admissions process!

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 15
Start your GRE journey
with E2
Our GRE course is designed for busy graduate school
applicants, providing a flexible and comprehensive study
program to help you succeed.

Access to practice tests and targeted GRE questions

Fully-online, self-paced learning
Expert guidance to stay on track for exam day

e2testprep.com/gre

E2TESTPREP.COM/GRE 16
CHECKLIST
List Your Tasks: In the left column, write down all the materials you need to
gather for your application (e.g., transcripts, essays, recommendations, etc.).
Once you've completed gathering a specific material, tick the box in the final
"Complete" column.

Tasks Complete