Discuss your interest in grad/professional school with faculty members, your advisor, and a career counselor; become familiar with grad school resources in the Career Center; become involved in co-curricular activities, and work to develop leadership skills.
Junior Year (fall)
Meet with a career counselor to discuss programs you might like to pursue, along with questions you have about the application process; take note of admissions requirements on websites of programs that appeal to you; sign up for the practice grad school test drive through the Career Center.
Junior Year (spring)
Register and prepare for the appropriate graduate school admissions test (i.e., GRE, LSAT, etc.); sign up for the practice test drive through the Career Center if you haven’t already done so; request catalogs and materials for schools you plan to pursue.
Junior/Senior (summer)
Study and sign up for the grad school admissions exam. Visit schools and request application materials. Begin working on the required essays. Set deadlines for yourself for each step of the application.
Senior Year (fall)
Request and collect recommendation letters as well as copies of your official transcript. Take grad school admissions exam. Have essays reviewed by career counselor and at the Writing Center. Mail completed application package well in advance of the deadline date.
Senior Year (spring)
Follow up with schools to ensure your file is complete. Send fall transcripts if necessary. Visit schools you’ve been granted acceptance to and evaluate offers. Apply for assistantship positions. Notify all accepted schools and references of your decision.
Summer after graduation
Take time to relax! Consider taking one grad class to get your feet wet. Thank all those who supported you in the process.
*Please keep in mind that this timeline is “ideal.” Timing may change based on your decision-making.
