Tips for Applying -
Higher Education Administration Program (HEAP) doctoral concentration

While we are not able to meet with and advise every student who applies to the program, we want you to have the strongest application possible.  These tips are drawn from many years of reviewing applications for doctoral admission.

First, please note that UT has a nationally ranked program in Higher Education Administration. We admit one-third or less of all applicants. Every year, we turn away good students who do well in other higher education programs.

Our faculty admissions committee uses a holistic approach in reviewing each application file.  That is, we consider all the information submitted by the student, including the personal statement, grades, letters of reference, and test scores.  Below, we provide advice on each type of information.

The personal statement is very important because it is the only piece of information whose content you completely control.  Use the statement wisely! 

• Tell us about yourself.  Why are you interested in a higher education doctoral program?
• Discuss specific learning experiences that demonstrate your motivation and inspiration for graduate school
• Discuss why you are interested in researching issues in higher education
• Highlight any prior relevant research and leadership experiences in higher education (if any)
• Describe why you are interested in studying at The University of Texas at Austin, specifically. How are you a good match for the program, and how is the program a good match for your research interests and/or career aspirations? If you have little previous work experience, what indicates your interest/aptitude in higher education administration?
• If you talk about working with specific faculty members, be sure to choose active, full-time faculty members. Search the research literature to get a sense for the types of research papers, journal articles, book chapters, etc., that they have written.
• If you have little previous work experience, what indicates your interest/aptitude in higher education administration and/or research?
• How do you envision using what you learn?  
• What are your aspirations? Research career? Administrative career?
• If you have anything you’d like to explain about yourself (difficulty in testing, low GPA because of a heavy workload, etc.) do so here.  But, do not apologize.  Put a positive light on any difficulties by indicating how you are working to overcome them.

You can help your references write more informed letters by giving them information about the UT program and indicating what you plan to do after graduation.  The more information your reference includes about the “fit” between you and UT, the stronger your application.

Grades are important.  The university allows admission of students with a GPA below 3.0, only by special exception. While you cannot dress up your GPA, you can discuss any extenuating circumstances in your personal statement that may have affected your GPA.

We have no minimum GRE score. We look carefully at the overall score and the individual test scores.  Your writing score is an important indicator of your ability to write a coherent dissertation, as is your verbal score. Your analytical score is an important indicator of whether you can do doctoral-level research.  If your scores are low, you may want to explain, in the personal statement, why they do not indicate your abilities (and, be specific!).

While we are unable to spend time with individuals discussing their applications, hopefully these tips will be like having a “faculty advisor on your shoulder” as you begin the application process. 

We all look forward to reading your application and seeing you in our next entering class!!!