Timelines for Graduate School

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*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.  

elated Web Sites

Timetable for Applying to Graduate School-From the University of Minnesota.