Graduate School Application Timeline

The ideal time to begin your planning for graduate/professional school is at least one year before you plan to start a graduate program. (Current students: Summer before your senior year of college)

Everyone's timeline will vary based on field of interest, program and university, but this timeline can serve as a guide. Professional programs in health and medical fields may require applications to be submitted a year in advance of beginning a program.

SUMMER

Start a rough draft of your personal statement (statement of interest).
Begin the search for graduate programs via websites and college catalogs
- The Academic Advising Center has software that allows a student to search various programs
- View Career Services Additional Links
Don't limit yourself to only one program, search multiple programs.

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

Meet with faculty/staff members and Career Services staff to discuss your personal statement and learn about possible programs
Ask for letters of recommendation. Give your references at least a month to write a letter of recommendation. They may be writing letters for multiple people. Give them a copy of resume and personal statement to review.
Start to map our the application processes for each institution you are applying too. All programs vary in the deadlines and needs.
Sign up for the standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, etc.)
- Visit the Counseling and Testing Center (1st Floor Wilder Hall) for more information.

OCTOBER

Take standardized tests.
Determine the schools you plan to apply to and request application materials.
Finish your timeline based on each institution's deadline and financial aid deadlines.
Complete your personal statement, adjust it to meet each application's specific needs.
Order transcripts from all post-secondary institutions. (If fall semester grades are expected, then check with staff in the registrar's office to see if a transcript including fall semester grades can be sent in time to meet the deadlines of programs to which you are applying.)

NOVEMBER

Complete application forms. Make a copy of the form and practice before you fill out the official copy.
Give your references all the information that they will need to write recommendations for you for each of your application schools.

DECEMBER/JANUARY

Mail applications. Even if deadlines are later, it is good to get the applications in early.

FEBRUARY

Contact programs about the possibility of visiting. Make trips if possible.

APRIL

If you are applying for need based financial aid programs, you may have to file a copy of your federal income tax return.

Congratulations!!!! Share the good news with Career Services & your references.

REFERENCE

Kidwell, Clara Sue & Hamblin, Jane A. (1999). Graduate School and You: A guide for prospective graduate students. Washington, D.C.: Council of Graduate Schools.