Timelines
for Graduate School
It is important to start gathering information early in
order to be able to complete your applications on time.
Ideally you should start the process a full year and a half before your
anticipated date of matriculation. Most
deadlines for the Fall's entering class fall between January and March.
However, there are some exceptions.
You should, in all cases, meet formal deadlines.
Beyond this, you should be aware of the fact that many schools with
rolling admissions encourage and act upon early applications.
Below is an ideal timetable for most
students. *Click here
to print a Graduate School Timeline Check List. This is a word document
that will guide you in your application process and let you keep a record of
your application materials.
Junior Year, Fall and Spring
______ Research areas of interest, institutions, and
programs.
______ Talk to your advisor and professors about
interests and application requirements.
______ Register
and prepare for appropriate graduate admission tests.
Junior Year, Summer (Study/prepare for graduate admissions tests)
______ Take required graduate admission tests.
______ Write for application materials.
______ Visit institutions of interest, if possible.
______ Write your application essay.
______ Check on application deadlines and rolling admissions policies.
______ For medical, dental, osteopathy, podiatry, or law school, you may need
to register for the national application or data assembly service most
programs use.
Senior Year, Fall
______
Obtain letters of recommendation.
______
Take graduate admission tests if you haven't already.
______
Send in completed applications.
______
Register for financial aid.
______
Mail transcripts and letters of recommendations.
______
Make plans to visit select institutions during winter break.
Senior Year, Spring
______
Check with institutions before the deadline to make sure your file is
complete.
______
Visit Institutions that accept you.
______
Send a deposit to your institution of choice.
______
Notify other colleges of your decision so they may admit others.
______
Send thank-you notes to people who wrote recommendation letters,
informing them of your success.
The
Graduate Application Process-Very good timetable from Petersons.
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