The graduate school application process and timeline will be different from program to program. Get to know each so you get your materials in on time and on the mark. Here’s a rough guide to help you plan.
Also check out our free canvas module for an in-depth guide to making grad school or gap year decisions, including:
- Is grad school or a gap year the best option?
- When should you go to grad school?
- Types of grad school programs, funding options, and timelines
- Potential benefits of taking a gap year
Junior Year or Earlier
Define your goals
To find the right program, you need to know what you want to do, specifically. You’re expected to explore your interests in college. Grad school is about defining them. Career Services can help you if you’re not sure.
Visit prospective schools’ Web sites, review course offerings, read professors’ biographies (pay attention to their specialties and check if they match your interests), and tour the campus.
Get prepped
Understand which standardized test to take. If you plan to go to medical, law or business school, it’ll be a no-brainer. Other programs may ask you to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). If you’re not sure, ask your prospective graduate school. Admission exams occur throughout the year. Prep early and make sure you’re ready! A practice test is a great place to start – it will help you focus your study time.
Keep your grades up. Don’t allow your plans for graduate school to take your mind off of your first priority: success in your undergraduate courses. Your GPA will be considered in the admissions decision.
Reinforce relationships with your professors. Not sure whether your favorite professor even knows your name? Make an appointment to chat about a current project, a homework assignment or your career options. A strong relationship with a professor now means a more compelling recommendation letter later.
Think money
Figure out how much graduate school will cost. Assess the cost of tuition, fees and living expenses. The competition for graduate financial aid is often intense. Research fellowships and assistantships in your field and stay on top of all application deadlines.
Summer Before Senior Year
Study Up
Begin the application process. Find out when applications will be available and when they will be due.
Study for standardized tests. Imagine trying to study for that test with a full undergraduate workload and social calendar. Make good use of a “quieter” summer schedule.
Narrow it down
Decide which schools are the leading candidates. Reserve at least one or two back-up schools in the event you don’t get into your first choice.
Request transcripts. Registrar offices are inundated with transcript requests in the fall, so a late summer request will beat the rush and leave some cushion in case a problem arises.
Spring Semester, Senior Year
Send them away
Submit your applications (check deadlines, many applications are due before Spring Semester begins!). Before you drop them in the mail, make copies of all materials in case you have to resend them. Send your applications via certified mail to verify delivery. Many schools send a receipt letter or postcard after they receive your application. If you don’t get one from a school to which you’ve applied, follow up with them.
Keep your cool
Take a deep breath, slowly exhale. Once your applications have been submitted, things are generally outside of your control. Continue to concentrate on your undergraduate studies.
Prepare for your admissions interview. Practice beforehand, if possible. Career Services can help you prepare for these types of interviews.
Keep your eye on your mailbox. Around April and May, you should start to receive admission offers.
Make your decision!
Inform the school in writing (or via the school’s preferred method) that you have decided to attend. Career services can help you with the decision-making process. Also, take time to inform the schools whose acceptance you have declined.
If your financial aid doesn’t quite cut it, look into alternative loan programs. Remember that each sets its own terms, so compare borrower’s terms carefully.
Say thank you
Send thank-you notes to those who assisted in the application process: professors, advisors, the registrar—they’ll want to hear your quest to enter graduate school was a success!
Ready to go!
You’re about to embark on an exciting new stage of your life, education and career. Well done. Enjoy it!