Graduate School Application Timeline
The following timeline is a suggested set of actions for a typical May graduate applying to graduate school. For more information about applying to these programs, visit the Career Resource Center.
Junior Year
Spring
- Research programs in your field. Collect school catalogs, contact the professional/licensing organizations, speak to current students/graduates of interesting programs, consult reference books, websites or software.
- Identify which standardized tests are required for admission and when they are offered during the year. For most programs, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will be required.
- Choose a test date for the GRE and any required Subject test. Consider taking a test preparation course.
Summer
- Begin a preliminary list of people to write recommendation letters for you.
- Investigate programs you are interested in.
- Begin filling our financial aid forms.
- Begin drafting personal statements.
- Contact programs and get current catalogs and applications.
- Take admissions tests.
Senior Year
Fall
- Begin filling out applications.
- Take admissions tests if you have not already done so.
- Choose recommenders and get all necessary info to them one month in advance.
- Finish paperwork for financial aid.
