<p>What do Graduate School admissions committees put the most weight on? GPA, GRE (or other standarized test), Internships in your related field (If they work), etc... I'm starting to think about graduate school and don't know how involved in my major or school for that matter I need to be in order to get into a good program. Its not like the college admissions process is it? Any help would be wonderful. Thanks!</p>
<p>you need research. go do it.</p>
<p>Read the "Grad School Admissions 101" thread - the first 2 or 3 pages cover everything important.</p>
<p>Some things I wish I'd known from "Day 1" (in no particular order):</p>
<p>1) Get to know your professors ASAP. Go to office hours, attend colloquia or other academic/social events in the department, etc. You'll need 3 LORs. This is how you find out who's nice and who's not without taking classes from everyone (and who to take classes from in the first place).</p>
<p>2) If you're in the humanities, aim for doing an Honors Thesis or equivalent. If your department doesn't have one, be sure to take at least a couple research intensive, seminar type courses no later than your junior year. You'll need a substantial writing sample for your grad apps.</p>
<p>3) Find out what the modern research languages are in your field and learn one. You'll need a second in most PhD programs but having one "up-front" is an advantage. </p>
<p>4) It is never too early to think about where your research interests lie, but be aware that they will change over time. You'll need something for your SOP, but no-one will actually demand that you do whatever you propose.</p>
<p>5) Join appropriate professional societies and read their journals religiously. This is how you'll find out what current research is going on in your field and where the programs are that interest you.</p>