Do anything you can to find out about the process. Ask the same question of a number of different people to get a perspective you may have missed. There are a variety of things that have not been touched upon that can be instrumental in helping you stand out. Secondly, individuals with the ability to propel themselves through all of the hard work involved in getting into graduate school are going to stand out. Students who have the energy to work harder, do more, and get excited about what they are doing are going to be noticed.
Professors enjoy working with students who possess an energy and a curiosity about the field.
These are the types of students who are always seeking out additional opportunities to get involved. These are the types of students who stick out from the pile. If you are one of these students, then you possess another characteristic that is going to put you ahead. Though it is becoming more difficult each year to gain admittance into a graduate program, there are a number of things that prospective students can do to increase their chances. Besides getting the best possible grades and doing well on the GRE, students need to work on the things that will make them unique and stand out from the group.