Grad School Application Timeline

There are different schools of thought about graduate school: some say, “Go now while you know how to study!” and others say, “Wait until you really figure out what you want to do, then go if you need to.” Indeed, many graduate programs do prefer it if you have some experience under your belt before starting graduate studies. And, because of the cost, effort, and time required, it makes sense to have a specific goal in mind when pursuing a graduate degree. It never hurts to talk to professionals in your field of interest to find out their perspective on whether grad school makes sense and, if so, when. Of course, talking to a career advisor in the Career & Coop Center could help provide some perspective and information as well.

If, after carefully considering your motivation to attend grad school, you’ve decided to go for it right after completing your undergraduate degree, here’s a sample timeline for researching schools, and preparing to apply for graduate work.

Junior Year – Fall

  • Consult with faculty/advisors about your interests and the nature of graduate study you might like to pursue. Speak to professionals working in your field of interest and get their advice on what program would be most valuable.
  • Use tools like Peterson’s Guide or U.S. News & World Report to find programs that are a fit for your career goals, but also whose size, location, and tuition work for you.
  • Visit graduate program websites to find application forms, financial aid information, and program details. Note deadlines.

Junior Year – Spring

  • Begin to approach faculty and/or professionals who know your work for recommendation letters.
  • Register and begin preparing for appropriate graduate admissions tests. Consider taking practice tests using tools like Test Prep Review.

Summer after Junior Year

  • Take required graduate admission tests (GRE, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, etc.) Know your application deadlines, as well as minimum time needed for scoring the admission test and the minimum wait time before taking the test again if you’d like a second attempt.
  • Create accounts with the application platforms used by your schools of choice. Make note of deadlines, supplementary application requirements (e.g., additional essays), and how recommenders must submit their letters.
  • Talk to admissions staff, students and faculty at programs of interest. Look at the faculty’s research interests and understand what program requirements may exist outside the classroom (e.g., required internship or clinical hours).
  • Begin drafting application essays in time to get feedback from the Writing Center, faculty, and/or career advisor(s) before applying.
  • Gather information about financial aid resources, including assistantships (teaching, research, administrative),
    scholarships, and fellowships.

Senior Year – Fall

  • Request letters of recommendation from faculty and /or professionals with whom you have worked. Share your resume and any relevant points you’d like your recommender to include in their letter. Be sure to provide details about how they are to submit their letter, and request they do so at least two weeks before any application deadline.
  • Submit completed application materials, including financial aid packages. Application materials generally include:
    • Application Form
    • Admissions test reports (sent by the testing service to schools you specify)
    • Official Transcripts – request that that the Solution Center send them directly to the graduate institution or you may get request official copies issued to you and you can mail them
    • Letters of Recommendation (if not submitted electronically by recommenders)
    • Application Essays/Personal Statements (find tips for writing your essay here)
    • Supplementary essays as needed
  • For financial aid, be sure to complete the needed applications. Check with each school for financial aid application requirements and forms.

Senior Year – Spring

  • Log in to your application portals to check the status of your application.
  • Visit institutions of interest (optional) to help evaluate your options.
  • Interview, if needed.
  • Choose among schools. Be prepared to consider multiple offers. How will you decide? Also prepare for the possibility that you may not get any offers. What is your contingency plan?
  • Once accepted to a program, notify other institutions of your choice.
  • Send thank-you notes to those who wrote you recommendation letters, informing them of your plans.

If you’re starting this process later than junior year – or even beyond graduation -simply start the process from the beginning of the list above. Ensure you give yourself enough time to research appropriate programs and develop strong application material.