Below is a recommended timeline for applying to graduate school. If you have any questions about this timeline make an appointment to meet with an advisor.

Summer:

• Write a draft statement of purpose/personal statement.

• Start browsing through guides to graduate programs and college catalogs.

August-September:

• Meet with faculty members that you know to discuss your personal statement and learn about possible programs.

• Ask for letters of recommendation.

• Begin to develop your personal timeline for the application process.

• Sign up for required standardized tests.

October:

• Take standardized tests.

• Determine the schools to which you plan to apply, and request application materials.

• Finish your timeline based on each institution‘s deadline and financial aid deadlines.

• Complete your personal statement, adjusting it to meet each application‘s specific needs.

• Order transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (If fall term grades are expected, then check with staff in the registrar‘s office to see if a transcript including fall term grades can be sent in time to meet the deadlines of programs to which you are applying).

November:

• Complete application forms (First, download the form from the university website and do a draft).

• Give your recommenders all the information that they will need to write recommendations for you for each of your application schools.

December/January:

• Submit applications. Even if deadlines are later, it is good to get the applications in early.

February:

• Contact programs about the possibility of visiting. Make trips if possible.

April:

• If you are applying for need based financial aid programs, you may have to file a copy of your federal income tax return.