Timeline for Applying to Graduate School

The application process should begin about 1 ½ years before matriculation.

6 months before applying:

  • Research areas of interest, institutions, and programs
  • Get recommendations of programs from your faculty advisors or other professors.
  • Register and prepare for the appropriate graduate admissions test
  • Investigate national scholarships

3 months before applying

  • Take the required admissions test
  • Write for application materials (or see if materials are online.)
  • Write your personal statement
  • If applying for medical, dental, osteopathy, podiatry or law school, you may need to register for the national application or data assembly service.

Fall, a year before matriculating

  • Obtain letters of recommendation
  • Take graduation admissions test, if you have not already
  • Send in completed application materials

Winter, before matriculating in the fall

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • At the end of fall semester, have the Registrar send your transcripts

Spring, before matriculating in the fall

  • Check with all institutions before their deadlines to make sure your file is complete and all materials have been received.
  • Visit institutions that accept you.
  • Notify other colleges and universities that accepted you of your decision.
  • Send thank you notes to people who wrote recommendation letters.

Internet Resources

  • www.kaplan.com and www.review.com
    These are “one-stop” resources for tests preparation, admissions, school and career information.
  • www.petersons.com
    A complete guide to graduate and professional study programs and financial aid. The Peterson’s Guide is available in the Career Development Center.
  • www.gre.com
    Focuses on the GRE