Application Time-Table For Graduates

If people are thinking about going to graduate school, they should begin planning at least 15 months before the program starts. Graduate school provides for specialized study in an academic discipline. The two common degrees offered are the Masters of Arts/Masters of Science (MA/MS). The MA/MS is normally a 2-3 year program, which includes coursework and either a comprehensive examination, thesis, or practical experience.

Most graduate school applications require the following:

• Application – online or hard copy
• Personal statement (statement of purpose)
• Letters of recommendation - normally three are required
• Transcripts – required for all schools attended after high school
• Test scores – GRE, LSAT, GMAT, MCAT, etc.
• Resume or CV – for some programs
• Portfolio – for art programs like journalism, film, etc.
• Financial aid forms

Majority of application deadlines fall between December and February of the preceding year (professional programs such as medical and law school have earlier dates). Here is a typical application time-table recommended for students applying to graduate school:

Summer

• Shortlist graduate schools and desired programs;
• Visit the grad school websites to see what the application process is like;
• Review test dates;
• Finalize which fall admissions tests need to be taken or retaken;
• Continue to work on practice essays;
• Write or call for required admission materials from target colleges;
• Schedule admission interviews and college visits;
• Research financial aid sources for grad students;
• Find out what standardized tests are required to take and time duration needed to prepare. For example: GMAT (Business School), LSAT (Law School), MCAT (Medical School), GRE (Humanities)etc.;
• Research test preparation courses for select programs;
• Start thinking about who should write recommendation letters;
• Write a draft statement of purpose/personal statement;
• Keep application checklists up- to-date for each target college.

Note: If students are applying to schools with Early Action or Decision Plans, they need to ensure that their applications are completed and sent.

August-September

• Schedule a senior counseling meeting;
• Research programs by talking with faculty;
• Request select inidividuals  for letters of recommendation;
• Begin to develop a personal timeline for the application process;
• Sign up for required standardized tests;
• Write a first draft of application essay;
• Take a test preparation course.

October

• Start carefully filling out application forms;
• Follow and complete application timeline based on each institution's and financial aid deadlines;
• 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 application deadlines.) ;
• Provide recommenders  with required information to write recommendation letters;
• Also, gently remind instructors (and others) about due dates;
• Continue to schedule interviews and visit target schools;
• Take  required standardized tests;
• Start search for scholarship opportunities;
• Continue to attend college fairs, and meet with college representatives;
• Complete personal statement, adjusting it to meet each application's specific needs;
• Continue to write and review application essays;
•  Initiate a serious talk with parents about financial aid and cost of college.

November

• Continue to look for scholarship opportunities;
•  Be prepared as many  schools have November 30th deadline for applications;
• Check for upcoming college visits or admissions interviews;
• Start completing and sending  scholarship applications;
• Attend application workshops sponsored by different schools;
• Send application forms to target schools;
• Check with  requested recommenders to ensure they are working to complete and send the required letters of recommendation.

December

• Ensure all recommendation letters are submitted;
• Continue to discuss and review the financial aid application with parents and counselors;
• Continue to make college visits, attend college fairs and meet with college representatives;
• Mail applications. Even if deadlines are later, it is good to get the applications in early.

January

• Fill-out financial aid forms provided by target colleges;
• Attend (with parents) financial aid workshops at school;
• Check deadlines for submitting the financial aid forms;

February

• Check all deadlines and due dates coming up;
• Continue to fill-out scholarship applications and send them in;
• Continue to research short-listed colleges and schedule all necessary visits;
• Complete financial aid forms;
• Try and submit  applications for financial aid;

March

• Look for student aid report in the mail;
• Continue to research, evaluate and visit target schools;
• Check for all deadlines and due dates still outstanding';

April

• Students should follow-up with schools that have wait listed their applications;
• Watch for Student Aid Report (SAR);
• Send commitment deposit by the required deadline to the finalized school;
• Continue search for scholarships and apply;
• If students are applying for need based financial aid programs, they may have to file a copy of their federal income tax return.

May

• Check any deadlines or due dates still outstanding;
• Make final decision and inform schools. Usually MAY 1st is the deadline.

June

• Contact everyone who helped in the admission process and thank them;
• Get prepared to get into graduate school.