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.