Graduate School Timeline

Timeline for Graduate School Application Process

Junior Year

Research areas of interest, programs and universities.
Consult with advisor/department faculty about programs that match your interests and application requirements.
Register and begin to prepare for graduate admissions exams.
Take a free practice exam to get a feel for what the real thing will be like.
Target faculty to ask for letters of recommendation.

Summer before your Senior Year

Take required graduate admissions exam.
Contact schools of interest and obtain application materials.
Visit schools of interest.
Put together a solid draft (if not a completed version) of your personal statement/admission essay.
Make a chart of all application deadlines.

Fall of your Senior Year

Finalize your personal statement. Have it read by AT LEAST one professional staff member in Career Services and/or your faculty advisor.
Ask faculty—as early as possible—for letters of recommendation. Do not wait to do this! Give them as much time and consideration as you can. They are doing you a BIG favor.
Take admissions examinations (again, if necessary).
Contact the Registrar’s office and complete a transcript request for each school to which you’ve applied.
Submit application materials.

Spring of your Senior Year

Follow up before the deadline with each school you’ve applied to and make sure your file is complete.
Visit the schools that accept you and meet with someone in the graduate admissions office if you haven’t already done so.
Send a deposit to your school of choice.
Once you’ve decided on your school of choice, notify the other universities to which you’ve been accepted so that your spot may be offered to someone on their wait list.
Send thank-you notes to the people who’ve assisted you in your application process; let them know of your acceptance(s) and your decision.